All about Boun Pi Mai, Lao's New Year Festival

Boun Pi Mai is one of the most important annual festivals to celebrate Lao New Year in the lasting several days in mid-April. It is a time when the entire country stops working and begins to party, and so do you if you visit Laos during Boun Pi Mai.

What is Boun Pi Mai

Boun Pi Mai, the start of the New Year in Laos, is a splashy good time for visitors, although a decidedly more gentle ordeal than its same-day counterpart in Thailand (Songkran).

The Lao New Year takes place in the middle of the hot summer season, in April. The new year celebrations usually last three days – 13-15 or 14-16 – though festivities in major locales can last longer than that (Luang Prabang’s Boun Pi Mai lasts for about 10 days).

During the New Year, the Lao believe that the old spirit of Sangkhan leaves this plane, making way for a new one. This belief – like the rest of Bun Pi Mai – is grounded in the Brahmanic and animistic religions that long preceded Theravada Buddhism, says former Culture Research Institute head Houmphanh Rattanavong.

Three Days of the Laos New Year

“In the Brahmanism religion it was believed that the time from January to the first day of Pi Mai in April is a dark, or bad, period of the year,” explains Mr. Rattanavong. “In Buddhism, the last day of Pi Mai is seen as a bright or prosperous period, so our ancestors chose April as the month of the New Year.”

The first day of Boun Pi Mai, known as Sangkhan Luang, is considered the last day of the old year. Lao will clean their houses and villages on this day, and prepare water, perfume, and flowers for the days ahead.

The second day, the Sangkhan Nao or "day of no day", is neither part of the old year nor of the new year.

The third day, known as Sangkhan Kheun Pi Mai is the official start of the Lao New Year. Locals dress in their finest silk clothes and perform Tak Bat, the traditional offering of alms to Buddhist monks; then climb Mount Phousi to pray at the stupa at its summit.

At family gatherings later in the day, locals hold baci ceremonies for good health, and beg senior family members for forgiveness.

Getting Soaked in Boun Pi Mai

During the New Year, water plays a big part in the festivities – Lao bathe Buddha images in their local temples, pouring jasmine-scented water and flower petals on the sculptures. The faithful will also build sand stupas and decorate these with flowers and string.

At each temple, monks will provide the water, as well as blessings for the devotees flocking to the temples and the white bai sri strings, which they will tie around devotees' wrists.

People also get soaked during Boun Pi Mai – people respectfully pour water on monks and elders, and less reverently on each other! Foreigners are not exempt from this treatment – if you're in Laos during Bun Pi Mai, do expect to be soaked by passing teenagers, who'll give you the wet treatment from buckets of water, hoses, or high-pressure water guns.

Locals sometimes throw flour as well as water, so you’ll feel both wet and doughy at the end of the holiday.

Celebrating Boun Pi Mai in Luang Prabang

While Boun Pi Mai is celebrated throughout Laos, tourists should be at Vientiane or Luang Prabang to see the holiday at its most intense. In Vientiane, families make the rounds of the different temples to bathe the Buddha statues, especially the ones at Wat Phra Kaew, the city's oldest temple.

Luang Prabang is probably the best place to celebrate Boun Pi Mai in Laos, as it is the former royal capital and a present-day UNESCO World Heritage site. In Luang Prabang, the celebrations can stretch out to a full seven days, celebrated in different places around the city.

Tips for Travelers

Boun Pi Mai is considered part of peak tourist season in Laos, so don't expect to make any bookings on the spur of the moment. If you want to be in Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng during the Lao New Year, book at least two months in advance to get the dates you want.

Consider it unavoidable: you will get wet during Boun Pi Mai. (So will everybody else.) At the same time, there are certain locals you shouldn't throw water at – monks, elders, and maybe the occasional well-dressed woman on her way to an important New Year event! Choose your targets judiciously, but expect to be liberally soaked.

See more: Explore the Konglor Loop in Laos

Source: Internet

The most important festivals in Japan

Japanese festivals are fun and unforgettable. If you have a chance to visit Japan during the festival, you will be amazed by the power and passion of Japanese people.

Shogatsu (New Year)

The largest festival of Japan, Shogatsu is Japanese New Year which falls on the familiar Western New Year, means January 1. Many people start the New Year by eating soba (buckwheat) at midnight for good health. At dawn, the Emperor of Japan prays for the nation. Unlike in the West where the celebration focuses on New Years Eve revelry and short-lived resolutions, Shogatsu focuses on bringing prosperity in the upcoming year—beyond just hangover recovery. At midnight, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times.

Setsubun (The Bean-Throwing Festival)

Fun and bizarre, the Setsubun kicks off the Haru Matsuri (Spring Festival) in Japan. It is an old tradition that has evolved into a televised event with national celebrities. Along with the big productions, small stages are set up around the country. Candy and money are thrown into the crowds which then rush forward to collect the small gifts.

People throw beans in mame maki ceremonies to drive away evil spirits that could foul up things later. One member of the household dons a demon mask and plays the "bad guy" as everyone else shouts and throws beans until he leaves.

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Festival)

An ancient tradition, hanami actually means "flower viewing". Hanami starts from mid-March to April, sometimes it lasts until May depending on how har north or south in Japan. During this festival, families and friends compete for quiet spots in busy parks to have picnics and parties, both day and night. Moreover, tea ceremonies are held under trees; folk songs, traditional dances, beauty pageants, and even parades add to the festive atmosphere.

Golden Week

Every year, thousands of hapless travelers manage to stumble right into the middle of Golden Week in Japan. They learn the hard way that the Golden Week holiday period is the busiest time to be anywhere near the archipelago. Golden Week is one of the busiest travel times in Japan, the first holiday of Golden Week is the celebration of the birthday of Emperor Hirohito (Showa Day) on April 29. Constitution Memorial Day hits on May 3 and is followed by Greenery Day on May 4 then Children's Day on May 5.

Obon

Although technically not an official national holiday, Obon is the most widely observed of Japanese festivals in the summer. Obon is a celebration of ancestors' spirits that come home to rest. People visit shrines, temples, and family graves during Obon. Fires are lit in front of homes and lanterns help guide the spirits. Obon is an important time for families; many heads back to their ancestral homes, causing long transportation delays and some closures.

See more: Traditions to celebrate New Year's Eve in Japan

Source: Internet

How to spend Christmas in Singapore

Christmas in Singapore may not be as cool as Christmas in many other Asian countries, but this year, Singapore outdoes itself, creating the merriest and brightest holiday atmosphere in all of Asia.

See the lights on Orchard road

The best place to marvel at pretty Christmas lights in Singapore is Orchard Road. Sporting a new theme every year, the most of Singapore's busiest shopping street is also its most dressed out at the holidays. The best-decorated portions of the road stretch from the forum on the West side of Orchard to Orchard gateway in the East. Make a night of it by walking the full length of the road, admiring the creative Christmas displays and dropping inside the malls to see who gets bragging rights for the biggest and best Christmas tree.

Go shopping at the Christmas markets

Tick off the items on your Christmas list at one of Singapore's pop-up Christmas markets. Here are a few of the best Christmas markets in Singapore.

Great Christmas Village: Located in front of Ngee Ann City on Orchard Road, the Great Christmas Village will be opened from 25 November to 25 December. Admission is free. Expect plenty of food vendors, Christmas concerts and stage performances, rides for kids, and several boutiques and brand name stalls offering unique Christmas gifts and treats.

Christmas in Queenstown Located at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Dundee Road, Christmas In Queenstown is open 15 to 17 December and 22 to 23 December. Admission is free. Expect one-of-a-kind handicrafts and artisan goods from local independent shops, live music, and a variety of food stalls.

Festive Market at Christmas Wonderland Located at Gardens by the Bay, the Festive Market is open 1 to 26 December. A ticket is required. Expect the closest thing to European Christmas markets that you’ll find in Singapore offering up tasty treats like fluffy Dutch pancakes and churros and chocolate, plus a wide variety of handmade crafts and gifts.

Indulge in a few Christmas-inspired treats

Walk into almost any luxury hotel cafe in Singapore this time of year and you’re sure to find a plethora of lavishly-decorated cakes and yule logs, delectable gingerbread men, and all sorts of other Christmas-inspired treats to tempt your sweet tooth. The Fullerton Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, and the Grand Hyatt are particularly well-known for offering some of the best, most extravagant Christmas delicacies.

Give ice skating in the tropics

Feeling brave this holiday season? Ice skating is one of the most popular holiday traditions in countries a little further north of the equator, and while you wouldn’t normally expect that tradition to carry over into the tropics, Singapore makes sure that if you want to make a fool of yourself on the ice, you totally can. There are two permanent ice rinks in Singapore – The Rink at JCube in East Jurong and Kallang Ice World at Kallang Leisure Center. Both rinks offer 2-hour skating sessions and the price of your ticket includes skates rental.

See more: Celebrating Christmas in Asian countries

Source: Internet

Get to know fall festivals in Asia

Like other big holidays in Asia, these fall festivals attract tourists who love celebrations as well.

The Mid-Autumn Festival

Also known as the Chinese Moon Festival, or known as the "Mooncake Festival" the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest. The day is celebrated throughout Asia and is a public holiday in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Mid-Autumn Festival is about enjoying a short respite from work to have reunions with family, friends, and relatives. Mooncakes are exchanged beneath the full moon with someone special. It's time to express romances.

Where: Throughout Asia, especially places with large ethnic Chinese populations
When: Dates change, usually in September

Malaysia Day

Not to be confused with Hari Merdeka, Malaysia's celebration of gaining independence from the British Empire, Malaysia Day is a patriotic celebration to commemorate the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

The day is celebrated with patriotic festivities along with a parade and speeches. Malaysia Day is an exciting time to travel in Malaysia.

Where: Throughout Malaysia and Borneo, with the epicenter in Kuala Lumpur
When: Annually on September 16

China's National Day

China’s most patriotic holiday is National Day on October 1. Concerts, pro-government gatherings, and fireworks mark the occasion.

The day also kicks off one of China’s Golden Week holiday periods, meaning that things get even busier and busier in Beijing. Hundreds of thousands of people living in the countryside head into the capital for a rare glimpse of Tienanmen Square. Attractive tourism places such as the Great Wall and the terracotta soldiers in Xi'an become crowded with traveling locals. Hotels and public transportations also fill up. The first week of October is the busiest time to visit China.

Where: In big cities throughout China, with the epicenter in Beijing
When: Annually on October 1, last approximately a week

Read more: Top 5 places to see autumn foliage in Asia

Source Internet

Let's enjoy Singapore night festival this August

A culmination of art, food and theatrical performances, basically the starter pack for a great weekend - get ready to be awestruck from pillar to post at the Singapore Night Festival 2019. Reimagine the night over two weekends this August as the Bras Basah and Bugis district transforms into an ethereal wonderland over two weekends this August. 

Watch in awe as iconic landmarks in the city exude brilliance in the form of light projections, as artists enchant the crowd using the facades of these historic buildings as their canvas. If you’ve been to last year’s event, know that this year is going to be a bigger and better culmination of arts, heritage and cultural experiences. Brace yourselves for a transformational experience like no other!

Every year the Singapore Night Festival features a theme, and previous editions have showcased international acts. This year, the event sees the return of the spellbinding Fuerza Bruta, an aerial acrobatics troupe from Argentina.

Having performed to more than 6 million spectators in sold-out shows across 34 countries and 58 cities, here is your chance to see the internationally renowned Fuerza Bruta take Singapore by storm as the Argentinean troupe performs at the Singapore Night Festival.

Look forward to a 360-degree sensory theatre party spectacle performed over and around a standing audience. An absolute stunner of a kinetic, highly energetic performance that will get your adrenaline rushing, this aerial acrobatics show will definitely leave you in awe.

Read more: Find the best street art spots in Singapore

A signature highlight of the Singapore Night Festival is the many interactive light installations scattered all across the city between Bras Basah and Bugis. If you’re in the area, don’t miss your chance to see Singapore’s heritage, arts and culture in an entirely different light.

Be amazed as the facades of some of Singapore’s most iconic museums—Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore—come to life into evanescent shows with the help of light projections.

When: 23 to 31 August 2019, 7:30PM – 12:00AM
Where: Bras Basah & Bugis

Source: Uncover Asia

Hiburi Kamakura: The festival of Fire and Snow

Surrounded by a ring of spectators, a hiburi dancer takes hold of his weapon – a fiery bale of hay and charcoal. Their enemy is not one that can be seen or heard. But to the locals of Kakunodate it’s a threat that cannot be ignored.

Zen Buddhists have a saying about enlightenment: “To burn Mount Sumeru with the light of a firefly.” In other words, to try to reach enlightenment through logic or common sense is futile; like trying to light up a mountain with the glow of an insect. But that hasn’t stopped the locals of Kakunodate from trying.

Every lunar new year, around mid-February, a snowy corner of Akita Prefecture hosts the Hiburi Kamakura, the festival of fire and snow. The rituals mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring, but they also invite the positive energy of good spirits, or ‘kami’.

Alongside the frozen Kinokinai River near a cluster of sleeping cherry blossom trees, locals construct little igloos called kamakura – shrines for the Shinto water god, Sui Jin. Children rush from one kamakura to the next, respectfully making offerings in return for good health and fortune. Like all animist gods, Sui Jin is partial to a bribe of mochi balls and sake.

Sui Jin is one of the ‘good’ spirits and is mainly in charge of protecting fishermen. But in the landlocked town of Kakunodate, he is called upon to protect rice fields and to prevent failed harvests. Harvesting rice is a tricky trade and, since many people in this region still make a living through agriculture, nobody is taking their chances. Especially given the threat of Yuki-Onna, or the ‘Snow Woman’.

In some stories, Yuki-Onna is depicted as a complex woman whose bitterness was borne from a life of tragedy. But many believe she was plain evil from the very start. In some parts of Japan, those who don’t acknowledge her shrill cries are punished and shoved into a valley to their death. Children in Akita are told early on that if they’re not careful, the snow woman will come to eat their souls.

In Japanese animism, all spirits must be appeased, no matter how uncooperative they might be. During the first part of the Hiburi Kamakura festival, a shrine is constructed in their honor, decorated with offerings and good luck charms. Shinto priests, or kannushi, lead the worship. Dressed in thin silk robes, these figures of pink, red and blue punctuate the snow-covered landscape. They recite prayers in calm, measured tones, defying the elements with their equanimity. Before them is a group of men with their heads bowed in reverence, stoically standing their ground against the evil spirits of winter.

As the night goes on, a bonfire is lit and bales of hay and charcoal are tied up with lengths of straw rope. Locals participating in the Hiburi dance prepare by wrapping their hair in headscarves and slipping their hands into protective gloves, to stop them from getting singed. The stage for the battle against Yuki Onna is set.

A dancer takes hold of one end of the rope as the attached bale is set on fire. Slowly, the bale picks up momentum and forms a protective halo. A rush of wind feeds oxygen to the flame and the fire roars to life as it swings faster and faster. The heat melts the falling snow into rain. Tendrils of fire curl magnetically around the dancer’s body.

Hiburi Kamakura in Kakunodate

The fire illuminates the faces of the crowd like the backlit frames of a reel of film; expressions suspended in delight, awe and wonder. The hiburi dancers transport the audience to a spiritual realm; a world where ghosts and spirits rule; where logic and common sense fall short; a place where the mystical properties of fire might be the only thing humans can use to defend themselves against misfortune.

The hiburi dancers must withstand intense heat and dense clouds of smoke until they’ve forced out the evil spirits of winter. Eventually, when the flames are flickering just inches away from the hands, the bale is swung into the direction of a bonfire. Is Yuki-Onna gone for good? Only time will tell. Have they done enough to summon Sui Jin? The livelihoods of locals in Kakunodate may depend on it.

It’s no coincidence that there’s a symmetry in the kanji for fire (火) and human (人); the curved legs of these two kanji represent the potential for both good and bad. Fire can bring death and destruction, but can also create warmth, light and energy. Similarly, according to Buddhist conceptions of good and bad, humans at their worst can exist in a purely physical world where all that exists is what can be seen, heard and felt. But, if they choose to fulfill their potential for good, they can live in the spiritual world. And in doing so, they can reach the mythical Mount Sumeru and experience enlightenment.

It might look like the locals of Kakunodate are just swinging balls of flaming hay around their bodies. But if you look a little deeper, you might be lucky enough to see Mount Sumeru, on fire with the light of Hiburi Kamakura.

Read more: Top favorite summer dishes in Japan

Source Siukei Cheung/ The Culture Trip

How to enjoy Chinese New Year with your family

Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar. The holiday is a two-week festival filled with reunions among family and friends, an abundance of delicious food and wishes for a new year filled with prosperity, joy and good fortune.

Reuniting with everyone you love

Hands down, the most traditional and cherished aspect of the New Year is reuniting with family. Gathering all of the generations together to celebrate the holiday is so important that many Chinese people return to their native villages for the celebration, even if it means flying in from across the world.
Those who cannot make the trip often get together with neighbors and attend local festivities in their area.

Paying respects to elders and ancestors

At its heart, Lunar New Year is a family reunion. Paying respects to elders can take many forms, from bowing to parents and grandparents to making sure they get the first piece of roast duck at dinner.
For many people, it might be the one time of year where they visit a temple to pay respects to ancestors by lighting incense sticks and making offerings, and praying to deities. It is all part of ensuring a good start to the year for everyone, and putting the old year aside for a new beginning.

Having some childish fun

Before they can sit down to eat, families gather together and spend the evening making Chinese dumplings. One of the common Chinese New Year traditions involves concealing a coin in one of the dumplings and distributing them among family members. Whoever discovers the coin in his or her dumpling will supposedly have good luck for the New Year.

In addition, older family members present children with red money packets (red represents luck in the Chinese culture), decorated with gold designs and filled with "lucky money."

Eating and being merry

What holiday is complete without a proper feast (or feasts)? The Chinese New Year is full of delicious meals, none more significant than the highly anticipated New Year's Eve dinner, which honors family ancestors.

Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, grandchildren, great grandchildren and more attend these savory events, where delicious dishes of nian gao cake, steamed rice pudding, long noodles, and dumplings are commonly served. It is a little-known fact that when fish is included, the Chinese make a particular point not to finish it for superstitious reasons.

Read more: Foods to celebrate Lunar New Year in China

Source YourTango

Chap Goh Meh, Chinese Valentine

The Chinese New Year marks the start of a new beginning for the Chinese. For some families, this is the only time of the year when all the family members have a chance to sit down for dinner together and to meet old friends and relatives. However, all things wonderful will eventually come to an end. As the eve of Chinese New Year is celebrated with a big bang, the climax of this festival is also a grand affair.

While it is officially known as the Lantern Festival, many refer to it as the Chinese Valentine’s Day with some who are familiar to the Hokkien dialect, would simple sees it as the 15th night of Chinese New Year.

What to know about Chap Goh Meh

This tradition originated in Penang. In the past, Chap Goh Mei was one of the few occasions where eligible young ladies, transformed into scorching beauties, were allowed out from the confines of their homes.

As in other celebrations, there are many legends and stories about the traditions and celebrations of Chap Goh Meh. According to folklore, during ancient times, young girls were forbidden to go out except on Chap Goh Meh when they could visit temples accompanied by their maids. For the guys, it is the chance for them to catch a glimpse of these lovely maidens. This explains why Chap Goh Meh is also regarded as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

On the night of Chap Goh Meh, unmarried girls will throw tangerines in the sea or river in the belief that they will be able to marry good husbands.

What to expect

During the celebrations, visitors will see a colourful display of brightly lit red lanterns and lion dances. The Chinese will throng the main temple shrine to offer prayers to the deities and obtain blessings. Besides that, visitors to the temple will also drink ‘holy water’ from the Kuan Yin fountain for good health and good luck. Tourists can take photographs of the dragon-inspired columns and pagoda rooftops. Before leaving the temple, remember to get some souvenirs from the souvenir shops at the lowest level.

In the northern state of Penang, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Chap Goh Meh is a major event. The island is renowned for fine beach resorts, colourful festivals and mouth-watering food. The celebration of Chap Goh Meh can be seen every year in George Town, the capital city of Penang, at the Esplanade, a well-known waterfront promenade that stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other. It is located next to Fort Cornwallis, which was built on the site of Captain Francis Light’s historic landing in 1786.

Activities and Entertainments

In Taoism, it is believed that the fifteenth lunar day (Chap Goh Meh in Hokkien Dialect) of the first lunar month is the Taoist god Tianguan birthday. Responsible for good fortune, it is said that Tianguan is a big fan of all kinds of entertainment, which is why followers prepare various types of activities during which they pray for good fortune. Another version is associated with Taiyi Shengshui, the God of Heaven. The belief was that the deity controlled the destiny of the human world.

It was said beginning with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, all the emperors would order splendid ceremonies each year on this day to gain favour from Taiyi to bring favourable weather and good health to him and his kingdom. However, it was Wudi of the Han Dynasty who directed special attention to this event. In 104 BCE, he proclaimed it to be one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night with firecrackers and performances around the city.

Read more: Top traditions of Chinese New Year

Love is blind on Chinese Valentine’s day

Today at Esplanade, George Town’s famous waterfront promenade, everyone is throwing oranges. It almost feels that the tradition of single women hoping the sea would bring them love, was replaced by a belief that the sea (or some golden fish living in it?) would make just any wish come true.

Instead of jumping into the sea to gather as many “free” blind dates as possible, the boys of today are also throwing oranges, missing the point entirely. It seems everybody is absorbed by Valentine wishes, so much that they do not realize that they are the ones who can make them come true.

Chap Goh Meh in upcoming years

2019 – February 19th
2020 – February 8th
2021 – February 26th
2022 – February 15th

Source Internet

Mut, the traditional food on Tet in Vietnam

Mut Tet (Tet jam) is not a food to serve in a meal during Tet holiday, but more like a snack to welcome guests in this special period. Mut is always kept in beautiful boxes and placed at the table in the living room, and it is the main food for the owners and guests to taste when they are talking, enjoying over a cup of tea.

Unlike Western jam, which is usually in liquid form and served with bread, "Vietnamese jam" is mainly in dry form, usually dried fruits and some kind of seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds).

Coconut jam

Coconut jam is the oldest, through many years with all our Vietnam. Over many changes, traditionally coconut jam still keeps taste: just sweet, moderate fat, chewy and crunchy, very interesting. Coconut Jam is an option and is the favorite of the majority of people. The chef has impressive creations when they make many unique coconut jam. Coconut jam just has a monotonous white color, at the moment coconut jam has seven natural color liked such as pandan coconut jam, chocolate coconut jam, milk coffee, milk.

Bean jam

Each kind of bean has its own interesting shape, so you can make your own type of jam with your own favorite kind of bean. It is easy to make bean jam. Boiling beans with water and then mixing with sugar. The meaning of beans jam is the success for everyone. Some of the kinds bean jam: bush bean jam, peanut jam, and lotus seed jam.

Bulb jam

With the buttery taste of bulb, we easily to make a lot of delicious bulb jam such as potato jam, sweet potato jam and carrot jam.

Read more: Vietnam's traditional foods during Tet

Kumquat jam

To be hometown of cranberry, so Hoi An is also famous for folk cranberry jam. Making cranberry jam is a meticulous process but very exciting for the housewife: selecting fresh cranberry fruits on twigs, to peel, seed and heat until they turn into jam. The cranberry jam jar finished with a clear golden color of crystallized sugar, look just want to eat immediately. Kinds of cranberry jam have various tastes to suitable with each person: dry cranberry jam, wet cranberry jam, cranberry jam attach peel. Cranberry jam is bitter and sweet, so it has positive effects on digestion, cough and some other diseases.

Source Hoian Tourism

Tet Nguyen Dan, the important festival to Vietnamese

Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, also called Tet, is the most crucial event in Vietnamese tradition.  Tet marks the arrival of spring based on the lunisolar calendar, it will be between January and February as usual, after New Year’s Day. Tet occurs from the first day of the first month in Vietnamese lunar calendar to the third day or even more. Occasionally, all Vietnamese people have around 1 week off during Tet holiday, the length of the holiday depends on the change in lunar calendar annually.

How to calculate Tet

Different from the Gregorian calendar, Lunar Calendar has a fix number of twelve months with 30 days each, and a leap-year will have a whole intercalary month instead of the 29th day of February. The new year of Lunar Calendar normally will start in late January or beginning of February according to Gregorian calendar. That explains why Tet days vary from year to year, it is because the leap month may fall shorter or longer which create a smaller or bigger gap between the two calendars.

How to say Happy New Year in Vietnamese

Like Thai and Chinese, Vietnamese is a tonal language, making pronunciation a challenge for English speakers.
Regardless, locals will understand your attempts through context. You can wish people a happy new year in Vietnamese by telling them "chúc mừng năm mới." Pronounced roughly as it is transliterated, the greeting sounds like "chook moong nahm moi."

How to celebrate Tet

Since Tet occupies an important role in Vietnamese’s religious beliefs, Vietnamese will begin their preparations well in advance of the upcoming New Year. In an effort to get rid of the bad luck of the old year, people will spend a few days cleaning their homes, polishing every utensil, or even repaint and decorate the house with kumquat tree, branches of peach blossom, and many other colorful flowers. The ancestral altar is especially taken care of, with careful decoration of five kinds of fruits and votive papers, along with many religious rituals. Everybody, especially children, buy new clothes and shoes to wear on the first days of New Year. People also try to pay all their pending debts and resolve all the arguments among colleagues, friends or members of family.

Like other Asian countries, Vietnamese believe that the color of red and yellow will bring good fortune, which may explain why these colors can be seen everywhere in Lunar New Year. People consider what they do on the dawn of Tet will determine their fate for the whole year, hence people always smile and behave as nice as they can in the hope for a better year. Besides, gifts are exchanged between family members and friends and relatives, while children receive lucky money kept in red envelope.
No matter where Tet is celebrated, it must be clarified from the beginning that Tet is not a day, but several days of celebration.

What to eat on Lunar New Year

When it comes to Tet holiday, there are some traditional dishes you should try to find in a Vietnamese restaurant
• Fatty pork braised with duck egg in coconut juice – Thit kho hot vit
• Pickled onion – Dua hanh
• Pickled small leeks with dried shrimp and century egg – Tom kho, hot vit bach thao va cu kieu
• Square glutinous rice cake – Chung cake
• Banana glutinous rice cake – Banh tet chuoi
• Bitter melon soup – Canh kho qua
• Spring rolls southern style – goi cuon

Read more: 10 traditional Vietnamese New Year dishes

If you are invited to be a guest, you should…

Prepare a few red envelopes to give the children of the family. Normally, people put 50,000 VND or $2 USD in the envelope (because Vietnamese consider 2 dollars to be lucky money). However, you can also put the smallest bill of your currency in the envelope.

Dress up in Ao Dai or any piece of clothing that has a vibrant or bright color. White is acceptable to some families but avoid wearing black and dark colors.
Bringing a gift basket or cards to give the head of the family is optional but you should do so to show your goodwill.

If you make a wish to the family members or a friend, follow these simple rules as wish for health to the elderly, intelligence and happiness to the children, prosperity and luck to the rest.
Receive lucky money with both of your hands. This is how we show our respect to other people.

And wish

• Chuc mung nam moi – Happy New Year
• Van su nhu y – Everything you wish will come true!
• An khang thinh vuong – Security and prosperity
• Doi dao suc khoe – Plenty of health
• Song lau tram tuoi – Live up to 100 years old (only say this to the elderly)
• Tien vo nhu nuoc – Money will flow in your pocket

Source Internet