The countryside during Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

With just over 10 days left until the traditional Lunar New Year, the atmosphere of spring is spreading everywhere, from cities to the countryside. In rural areas, farmers have also just finished their harvest.

People in Vinh Thuan commune are pruning apricot blossom branches to welcome Tet. Photo: VI AN

The branches of the yellow apricot blossoms are stripped of their leaves so they can bloom in time to welcome spring. In rural areas, people begin cleaning their houses, washing mosquito nets, blankets, and mats, and drying bedding in the sun as a way of brushing away the misfortunes of the old year and preparing to welcome the joy of the new year. Children eagerly buy new clothes… the atmosphere of spring permeates every home and kitchen corner.

While busily sewing several sets of clothes for customers so she has time to clean her house and prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year), Mrs. Duong Thi Thuy Hang, residing in Ta Loc hamlet, Son Kien commune, happily said: “This year, my family is preparing for Tet more thoroughly than in previous years. I've started cleaning and decorating the house, buying necessary supplies, preparing various kinds of cakes, sweets, tea, and drinks… to welcome my children and grandchildren home for the Tet holidays.”

Caring for over 6,000 pots of marigolds in preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year), Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang, residing in Hamlet No. 8, Son Kien Commune, hopes the flowers will bloom evenly, beautifully, and at the right time, fetching a good price so her family can have a more prosperous and fulfilling Tet celebration. “During this time, I focus on caring for the marigolds to ensure they are ready for sale during Tet. However, I also take advantage of the time to clean the house, wipe the ancestral altar, and buy some necessities. After selling the flowers, the family will prepare the New Year's Eve dinner and celebrate together,” Ms. Trang shared.

After a year of hard work, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thao, residing in Vinh Thuan commune, is delighted that both her harvest and work have been successful. “This year, my family proactively planted rice earlier than usual, so we are no longer busy with the planting season and can focus on preparing for Tet,” Ms. Thao said. In December of the lunar calendar, her family harvested their rice crop, plus a crop of freshwater prawns, tiger prawns, and one hectare of sweet potatoes, estimated to bring in over 50 million VND. Thanks to this, her family has the means to purchase additional household items, machinery, and air conditioning for daily life, preparing for a prosperous New Year.

Because she has more time, Ms. Thao also makes many kinds of cakes and jams to give to her parents and siblings for Tet (Lunar New Year). Ms. Thao shared: “This year, my family is growing cassava, so my husband and I plan to make more puffed rice cakes. In previous years, we were too busy and lacked ingredients, so we wanted to make them but couldn't. This year, my husband and I are doing it again to preserve the traditional craft. Having a piece of cake and a cup of tea during Tet makes it more joyful.” Ms. Thao has two children, so buying new clothes is easy for her. In previous years, she was too busy and bought ready-made clothes for her children. This year, in addition to buying, she also sewed Tet clothes for her children herself.

Although their house was still new, Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuyen's family, residing in U Minh Thuong commune, decided to repaint it to welcome Tet (Lunar New Year). "Every time Tet comes around, my family repaints the house. It doesn't cost much, but I feel the new house is cleaner and tidier," Ms. Xuyen said. Ms. Xuyen's family specializes in growing and selling bananas, so Tet wouldn't be complete without banana-based cakes and preserves like banana jam and banana-ginger candy. "Tet is the only time of year when siblings, children, and grandchildren can gather, so I prepare cakes and pickles for everyone to enjoy," Ms. Xuyen explained.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tran, a resident of Hon Dat commune, recently moved out on her own, so her family doesn't have to prepare much, but she's still planning for Tet (Lunar New Year). Ngoc Tran said: “My small family doesn't have much to prepare, but my husband and I have bought gifts to wish our parents and grandparents a happy Tet. After celebrating the New Year with my parents and paying respects to my grandparents, my husband and I will go to Ha Tien with friends to visit tourist attractions. We've planned to go several times since we got married but haven't been able to, so we're going this Tet to have fun.”

VI AN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lang-que-vao-tet-a475963.html