I'm writing this post at the very end of the 2021 Tết holiday, which I got to spend with my family after a long time and it was very meaningful to me. Therefore, this issue is going to be a little bit more personal as you get to read about little things during Tết that a VSAR member holds near and dear to her heart. Let's go down memory lane, recite happy moments, and see if we share any common joy.
1) Bánh Chưng Rán (Fried sticky rice cake)
A thing about Tết is it is filled with so many delicious and comforting traditional Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls (chả nem), dried bamboo shoots with chicken soups (canh măng gà), Gac sticky rice (xôi gấc), lean pork pie (giò lụa), etc.
During Tết, it is common that you eat these dishes every single day, at least one meal per day, or even all day every day for the whole week of Tết to a point that you eventually get so tired of them. The reason for the abundant amount of food is because families have to put together extensive platters of Tết dishes to offer to ancestors and deities in order to pay respect to them, thank them for the past year, and to ask for blessing and luck for the new year.
Out of all the dishes, I don't really get tired of bánh chưng rán, or fried sticky rice cake because it is so delicious. To me, bánh chưng (bánh tét for the South) is a representative of Tết and a unique specialty of Vietnam. The cake is beautifully wrapped, with the outer layer being sticky rice, which represents the Earth. The inner layers contain mung bean (represents the plants) and pork (represents the animals). Overall, bánh chưng creatively represents life, the respect for our ancestors, the hard work of farmers, family, and a fruitful year.
2) Lì Xì (Red pocket/ lucky money)
During Tết, lì xì is given as a way of sending new year wishes to others. They are commonly given to children but are also to relatives. The red pockets to hold the lucky money inside often have red colour as it is considered the colour of prosperity, luck, power, and happiness. However, there are many beautiful and nonconventional designs now. What special about "lì xì" is not the amount of money but the meaning behind it, to wish whoever receives a lucky and favourable year ahead.
I'm now 22 years old and I still got so excited for them even though I have been able to earn my own money from part-time jobs. When I was a kid, receiving lì xì was thrilling as I was able to hold a large amount of money on hand (although I had to return them all to my parents afterward). However, receiving lì xì now feels nostalgic to me, it makes me feel like a kid who is still in the arms of my parents again, it reminds me of how fun Tết was when I was little, and as of now, it comforts me to know that no matter how old I am, Tết is a time to be home and when I'm home with my parents, I'm a little girl again. A fun saying that my parents often say is: "No matter how old you are if you're still a student and got no job yet, you're qualified for lì xì"; to that, I often reply cheekily: "Then I will make myself unemployed whenever it is Tết".
3) Being able to stay up late without being scolded
I remember when I was a kid, the latest I was able to stay up is 10 pm. However, whenever it was Tết, specifically on the New Year Eve, I was able to stay up until 3 am. This is because my parents would be busy doing rituals and paying respect to the ancestors during the transition moment between the old and the new year. The process often takes a while as my parents have to clean up afterward, burn joss papers (hoá vàng), and sprinkle salt (rắc muối).
The feeling has always been special to me, even now, as it is the only time I get to stay up late together with my parents without any reprimand. After the new year has arrived, I would watch firework with my sister while my parent is busy tending to Tết rituals. Afterward, my parents often say out loud all the wishes they have for their children and I do the same things to them. Sometimes we all got so hungry that my mom started to bring out Tết treats and we ate them together as we exchanged wishes. The transition moment feels so nice to me, probably because I get to spend the very first moment of the new year with those I love, although to my kid self, it was simply that I got to stay up late.
4) The festivity
Just like Christmas, I really like the time leading up to Tết as it feels very merry. I like the packed flower market that people would visit to buy flowers for their houses, to take pictures, or just to feel the vibe of the holiday.
I like how people are busy buying new clothes for Tết, buying decorations, buying food for ritual offerings, buying peach and apricot blossoms, and preparing ingredients to wrap bánh chưng/ bánh tét.
I like how friends are eager to meet up one another before Tết, setting up dates with old folks who they haven't met for a while, or spending time with their close ones to talk about the past year, to recite past memories, and exchange wishes over cups of coffee or hearty snacks.
I like spending time in Hanoi Old Quarters, sipping a cup of warm egg coffee amidst the chilly weather and the drizzling rain of January while spectating the busy and dynamic stream of people, who are hurried to get their work done before the new year.
5) Going to people's houses and discover what types of treats they have
One of the Tết traditions in Vietnam is visiting others' houses (relatives, parents' close friends, and co-workers) to greet and send wishes for the new year. Because of so, families often display treats on the coffee tables to offer to visit guests, which often include candies, chocolates, dried candied fruits (mứt), pumpkin seeds, roasted watermelon seeds, etc.
I remember when I was young, what got me as excited as receiving lì xì was seeing what types of treats people have and collect as many treats as possible. Tết was like Halloween to my little self, and whenever I saw a different type of treat that I haven't seen before, I would get really delighted, grab one to eat, and a few to keep so that I can show them off to other kids later on. Tết is also an excuse to eat as many sweets as I could without being scolded by my mom.
Then what about you? Please do tell your favourite moments down below should you have one.
Thank you so much for reading
Sincerely,
VSAR
Image source: https://vov.vn/doi-song/khoanh-khac-duong-pho-binh-di-dam-chat-ha-noi-nhung-ngay-giap-tet-834387.vov
Comments