Tet in old memories

When peach and apricot blossoms bloom with vibrant colors and fragrance, people's hearts are filled with joy and happiness, signaling the arrival of Tet, or Spring. Each season bears its own love, but spring may intensify that love because it is the season of Tet, or reunion.

In the memory of many people, spring is the most beautiful season. Spring is the season of green buds, the season of flowers and leaf growth, freshness and sweetness. Spring is a magical gift that nature bestows upon humans. Spring is beautiful not only because of the green trees and leaves, thousands of flowers blooming and spreading their fragrance, and the chirping of birds, but also because of the warm weather, the bustling flow of people coming and going, creating a bustling atmosphere, and everyone eagerly waiting for spring to come, for Tet to come.

Every spring, when the earth and sky are in harmony with the scent of spring, people and families are joyfully prepared to greet a new year, people can't help but remember the scent of the old Tet, a location full of pleasant memories that makes people's hearts flutter with nostalgia. Remember the bustling laughter in the country kitchen, the deep voice of father, the sweet voice of mother mixed with the sounds of Tet, the fragrant smell of coconut jam mixed with the smoke of the country kitchen, and the scent of incense mixed with the sound of Tet poetry.

Tet in the old countryside was easy. All you needed was a piece of meat hanging in the house and a pot of Chung cake burning in the corner of the yard. Throughout the village, the sound of laughter was lively and bustling.

The 23rd day of the lunar calendar is the Kitchen Gods' Festival. On this day, the atmosphere of Tet begins to become clear. The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods among the people is meant to remind people that living and dealing with others in this life will bring them long-lasting blessings. Spring is expected to bring many blessings, so from the days before Tet, every family begins to prepare their graves to welcome their ancestors home for Tet.

Around the 27th or 28th of Tet, when spring flowers are in full bloom, every household appears to be active, and everyone decorates their house, "clearing away" the problems and anxieties of the previous year in order to welcome a new year full of happiness and good fortune. The Tet mood is strongly felt in the days leading up to Tet, as everyone is busy creating decorations for their families' Tet celebration, hoping for a prosperous new year.

The afternoon of the 30th of Tet is a very important occasion for Vietnamese people because it marks the formal start of Tet. Everything appears to be more rushed and hectic because there are only a few hours left to celebrate the new year, therefore everything must be prepared before New Year's Eve. Even in today's modern culture, the spirit of Tet rituals is passed down from generation to generation.

In the past, the most exciting aspect of Tet was getting new garments produced. Nowadays, life has changed dramatically; people no longer have to wait until Tet to wear new clothes, but the delight of wearing new clothes on Tet appears to have persisted, with the exception that the style and design of new clothes have gradually evolved to reflect progress. When Tet arrives, ladies frequently wear traditional or updated Ao Dai to wish Tet. Everyone wants to choose the most beautiful clothing in order to offer a fresh look to their family as well as the families to whom they come to wish Tet.

On New Year's Eve, the entire family gets together to reflect on the previous year and look forward to a productive new year. In the cloud of incense, everyone exchanges best wishes for the new year.

On the morning of the first day of Tet, children dressed in new clothes go down country roads to greet their grandparents and neighbors a happy new year, their laughter filling the air with the perfume of spring. Tet is frequently the most exciting time for youngsters since it allows them to play freely and collect lucky money from grownups.

Lunar New Year has withdrawn and become more modest in today's busy life. There is no longer the bustling scene of the past, but the feeling of greeting spring is still very lively. However, there is a significant difference between Tet in the past and now, not only in the setting but also in each person's emotions.