Tết Nguyên Đán or Tết has the same basic meaning as the Western New Year. Considered the first day of spring and the most important national holiday in Vietnam, it coincides with the Lunar New Year celebrated annually in January or February. It is a wonderful time to see the traditions of the Vietnamese. You will be delighted to discover how much their Têt resembles your Christmas. Painted in other colours, with other flavours and tastes, but with the desire to gather together, Tết is stubborn to bring parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren together. And it succeeds. Thousands of people return home from all over the world to share their joy. The stations are full, the airports crowded, the streets flush with the eagerness of the meeting.

But more importantly, beyond this, you will come to see the cities dressed for the celebration, decorated with multicolored lamps and, above all, the people. Old people with their faces marked with shortcomings and worries, stylish girls dressed in traditional costumes, simplicity, and beauty, timidity and exuberance. Unique experience.

The celebration takes revenge and, over the reality of a country rocked by a painful war, which he has not forgotten, places carefully warm and bright colors. They disclose not how it was, not how it is, but what is the condition of the people who make up the country. The festival play with shades of intense red, then adds a little yellow and near the resulting orange it puts apricot or peach flowers. The rose is embroidered with gold.

Tết welcomes you with clean houses, conflicts resolved and debts paid. The kitchens sparkle, the incense that burns spreads a divine smell, the divinity oversees. It is time for the Vietnamese to forget about all the negative things that have happened in the past and to keep an open and positive mind for what is to come.

A little tree with yellow flowers, a tangerine or an orange reign in front of the main door or in the main room. In it hangs specific decorations. They are gathered around a different animal every year, because, according to the Chinese tradition, there are twelve animals of the zodiac and each represents a Lunar Year. Once the end is reached, the cycle is reset.

An impressive pot with yellow chrysanthemums, considered fortunate, is always in front of shops, restaurants and cafes.

Li Xi, lucky money, are carefully placed in red envelopes and given to children or, in general, to the youngest. Xong Dat, the first visit to the house, has a huge impact on how next year will be. The first guest needs to be optimistic and cheerful.

All are sweetened with Bánh chưng, the cake in the shape of a square, a mixture of sticky rice filled with beans and pork, wrapped in a banana leaf.

Fireworks, shows, parades spice up the painting.

Festivities come and go. Vietnam continues to tell you the story.

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