(VOV) -People in the former imperial city of Hue, central Vietnam, celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival in a unique and special way.
Flower shining on streets
Despite historical changes, Tet celebrations in Hue are different from other parts of the country due to the traditional culture and lifestyle of the local residents.
In the lead up to the Lunar New Year’s Eve, flowers blossom on almost every street corner in Hue city and flower markers are bustling from dusk until mid-night.
As well as the big spring flower markets in urban areas, rural flower markers like Dien Hoa and Phu Bai also attract swathes of customers and visitors. Various kinds of flowers from Hue’s famous flower-growing area are available to buy on the streets, one of the most common are the lotus flower decorations very popular with the local Hue people who mostly follow Buddhism.
Hue residents also love apricot blossoms which symbolise prosperity and good luck in the new year.
Cultural researcher Ho Tan Phan says Hue people flock to flower markets to select flowers with the hope of bringing a new positive change in their family. The change may in time generate a better future for people, he adds.
Going to year-end market
Attending the year-end market has become a cultural highlight for Hue people. Going to the market several hours before the New Year’s Eve is a local tradition, not only to buy essential goods for Tet but also to have a look at the vast array of products available and soak up the colourful, cozy atmosphere.
Fruit jam, nuts and green teas are traditional items in Tet baskets of Hue people. For low-income earners, the year-end market is considered a good venue to buy Tet goods at reasonable prices, and most try to save money to spend at the Tet market.
Religious rituals
Hue residents usually go to the pagoda on the first day of the first lunar month to pay tribute to the Buddha and pray for happiness, prosperity, good health, and good luck.
They also ask for Phuc (Happiness) from Buddhist dignitaries, hoping for a good start in the new year.
Local people are very careful about what they say and their first foot on others’ houses in the early morning of the first new year day.
In recent years, many people, particularly youngsters gather at the Hue Royal Complex’s Dai Noi (Mandarin’s House) to watch firework displays before returning back home for New Year’s Eve. Those people who are said to be unlucky in the year of horse will not return home until a first footer visits their house.
Traditional Tet dishes
Cultural researcher Nguyen Dac Xuan says Hue people are influenced by various cultures from different communities. However, almost all of them attach huge importance to ancestral worship. They prepare traditional dishes for worshiping during Tet in order to show their respect and gratitude for ancestors.
Popular Tet dishes include beef, pork pie, spring rolls, and Banh Chung (a square-shape cake made of sticky rice, green bean and pork fat). Ginger jam is also common at Tet Xuan adds.
Those living far from native Hue feel homesick when the new spring knocks on their door as they remember Tet celebrations in their hometown.
Tet in former imperial Hue city Related image(s)
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