New Year Preparation – Tết

Having just had the quietest and I must say cheapest, Festive Season ever, I am about to enter another.

Vietnam, always up for a party, entered into the Christmas and New Year spirt with decorations and parties but their true celebrations have yet to begin.  Tết Nguyên Đán, Lunar New Year will take place at the end of February.   Shops are bright  with gold and red.

Vietnamese friends have already started cooking special cakes and savouries.  In one kitchen today large jars of vegetables were soaking and marinading for Tết recipes.

Decoration delivery

Cards were arriving in the post and a delivery of decorations to adorn the outside of the house, along with prayers for the family, arrived.  Money, note Dong and Dollars, are given to the Gods.  Specially printed for the occasion.

Schools and business’ have two weeks holiday and families return to their home towns.  Apparently there is even a dearth of motorbikes on the streets.

Decorations for outside

I am out of Vietnam leading up to the celebration but have been invited to join a family on my return.  If the results fulfil the preparations it will be mouthwatering and intriguing event.

Money for the Gods