The streets and markets are a frenzy of shoppers picking the freshest foods, best clothes and new home accessories. Colourful and festive items are displayed in the stores and the clatter of bargaining fills the air. These are all on top of the anticipation among the little ones as they count down to the festive fun and the thrill of receiving Lì Xì. When they receive special red envelope with their Lì Xì, the children show respect by clasping both hands and bowing.  

I am also fond of Tết because it is when people set aside time for their family and friends. They visit relatives on both sides of the family and pay respect to the different generations. Vietnamese living abroad or away from their hometown try to make a special trip back to mark this holiday.

Now I know Giao Thừa is an important moment of the Tết. Giao Thừa represents the passage from the old to the new for the Vietnamese. During Giao Thừa, they bid farewell to the past and welcome the New Year and the new opportunities it brings. For this reason, every home makes offerings to pray for a good new year. Prior to Tết, the home altars are cleaned thoroughly and the brass candle sticks and incense burners polished until they gleam.

Rod Ward (dressed as Thần Tài- Fortune God) celebrating Tet with  colleagues

An offering table is set in anticipation of the Giao Thừa on the eve of Tết. Offerings include fruits and flowers with names that have significant meaning in the local language; in the southern region these include the custard apple, coconut, papaya and mango which symbolise the expression “Cầu vừa đủ xài” (May there be abundance). The fruits and flowers are neatly arranged with a pair of candles, incense burner and three cups of tea. At midnight, the candles and three incense sticks are lit and are offered to the gods together with all of the items on the table. People say prayers during Giao Thừa, inviting the gods to bless their lives and homes, and grant them good health, prosperity, success and happiness throughout the New Year.  

In addition to making offerings to the gods, the Vietnamese also remember and pay tribute to their ancestors during this season. They present offerings to thank the departed for the blessings received and seek guidance from the elders in the coming year.    

My first Tết…

… was incredible and memorable. That was close to 20 years ago when I was in Ha Noi. To welcome Tết and the Year of the Rooster I bought firecrackers (allowed back then), a Quất tree, a Hoa Đào tree and various fruits and carried them back to my house on a cyclo.  Little did I know that such items would please my landlord so much so that he presented me with some Bánh Chưng. He was delighted when he saw firecrackers hanging from the balcony and the house decorated with many items symbolizing good fortune. 

Visiting Maison Chance in HCM city

During the evening of the day before Tết, we strolled along the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake. The promenade was indeed the centre of action as people enjoyed the company of their family, met up with friends, and the children played. We rounded off the cool night with fresh green bean ice cream on Trang Tien. At the stroke of midnight, we joined the throngs of Vietnamese to set off firecrackers. The entire national capital shooked to its core as a cacophony of ‘bangs’ blasted all over the city.

The next morning, I woke up to the festive misty spring air and the smell of last night’s firecrackers. As I opened the door, I was greeted by a sea of red firecracker remains covering the streets and sidewalks much like autumn leaves. Children’s laughter rang from every corner as they readied their new clothes to wear for family visits. To this day, the experience is as vivid in my mind as it was nearly 20 years ago.

The Tết exhilaration continued with a pilgrimage to Chùa Hương and, on my return to the city, an unexpected meeting with a fortune teller. It was predicted that I would be back working in Viet Nam, and here I am today!      

And this Tet

Every year, we organize an elaborate family Tết parties for our colleagues; one in Hanoi for the teams based in the north, and another in Ho Chi Minh City for the teams based in the central and the southern regions. There are games and activities for our colleagues and their families in addition to the annual banquet and parents and children all team up together for good cheer and to compete for prizes. The adults are entertained with songs and performances and the children are rewarded with crispy new notes in red envelopes. For five years running, every colleague’s child walk up to the stage to receive their Lì Xì and this year, we expect at least 70 children to join us at the family Tết party. 

Like the Vietnamese, I personally catch up with friends and spend time with my loved ones during Tết.  

I like eating the Bánh Tét/ Bánh Chưng served with Dưa chua/ Dưa món or Củ kiệu/ Hành muối. The pickled garnish consisting of crisp white radish and carrots or onions is the perfect accompaniment to this traditional dish. It is an honour to receive a homemade Bánh Tét/ Bánh Chưng from a Vietnamese friend and I especially treasure the vegetarian version of Bánh Tét and Dưa món offered by the Buddhist nuns.  

In this Lunar New Year I hope that Viet Nam continues to develop and prosper. I especially hope that healthcare continues to be a priority of the people and the government.

In addition to wishing the people good health, I also wish that my loved ones, colleagues and business partners grow from strength to strength in their achievements and that they find joy and happiness in all that they do. Like how the Vietnamese say it, “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới. An Khang, Thịnh Vượng, Thành Công và Hạnh Phúc!”

By Mr Rod Ward, Country Manager, Roche Diagnostics in Vietnam