New Year Celebration in Vietnam

Every country has its own customs and traditions. They are manifested clearly in anniversaries, ceremonies and especially on New Year's Days. In Vietnam every year towards the 15th day of the 12th lunar months, everybody begins to strip the apricot trees off their leaves and water melons are seen to be sold everywhere then one is realdy to welcome New Year with all his merriment and joy. They all have their houses whitewashed and decorated, buy new clothes for their children and get everything ready for Tet. On the 23rd of the 12th lunar month those who worship Buddha offer ceremony to the Kitchen God to send him off to Heaven. The nearer New Year comes the more excited and enthusiastic people are. This is the unique occasion for everybody in the family to gather together to welcome New Year after a hard and long year 's work. At 12 o'clock sharp on the 30th of the 12th lunar month the New Year actually replaces the Old One. All houses are well-lighted. At that very moment, everybody , well-dressed, rushes out into the streers to visit temples, pagodas or to go to churches. They all pray for a Prosperous and Happy New Year. This is also an opportunity for children to put on their new clothes and wish longevity to their parents and grandparents. All of them are expecting to receive money put in small red envelopes. On New Year's Days people avoid talking nonsense and try to keep a good humour towards their neighbours. They often visit one another, wish each other Happy New Year, drink tea together, eat square, cylindric glutinous rice cakes or crack water melon seeds. The Vietnamese believe that the first day of the New Year is the luckiest day in the year and if on this day they enjoy full happiness, they will be prosperous and happy all year round. The Vietnamese New Year lasts about a fortnight. It gives sufficient hopes and recreations to our countrymen. After that, they are ready to