The scent of Tet in the old days

No one can fully and completely define the meaning of Tet (Lunar New Year). Tet comes and spring returns. That's the law of nature! But why is everyone so eager and looking forward to Tet? Perhaps Tet brings freshness and evokes a very unique feeling in each person. The scent of Tet of yesteryear!

For those of us born in the early 1990s, we were truly fortunate to be born during a period when the country's economy had achieved significant successes. Gone were the days of ration coupons and long queues. Back then, we children welcomed Tet (Lunar New Year) with an indescribable excitement and anticipation.

The scent of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is so unique! It arrives slowly and gently touches the soul of each person. The most noticeable is the "scent" of the hustle and bustle of cleaning the house. Adults do the heavy work, while children help with the small tasks. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the sound of spring music playing somewhere. Naturally, people's hearts flutter and feel excited, knowing that Tet is truly near.

The air was filled with the aroma of traditional Tet dishes. It was the fragrant scent of sticky rice cakes, pickled onions, and sweet pastries prepared by the grandmothers, mothers, and aunts. Honestly, we craved them and just wanted to eat them right away. Because on ordinary days, we wouldn't have anything to eat.

The kitchen fire burned brightly, and the smell of smoke mingled with the aroma of braised pork and pork stew with bamboo shoots, prepared by Grandma. Mother made her own coconut jam, gooseberry jam, and pineapple jam. The aunts baked traditional Vietnamese cakes, sponge cakes, and sandwiches. Oh, the whole house was filled with such delicious smells that the children just sat there, sniffing and smelling them endlessly.

The main house was filled with the fragrant scent of various flowers displayed during Tet. A pot of yellow apricot blossoms was carefully placed in front of the house. Marigolds were neatly arranged by the window sill. Lilies and chrysanthemums were respectfully placed on the ancestral altar. Orchids were meticulously arranged on the guest table. The money tree also held its own with its distinctive fragrance.

After cleaning up, Grandpa, Dad, and the uncles sat around a round table to enjoy a cup of fresh tea. The aroma of the tea was different now. Around the steaming hot cup of tea was a sense of anticipation, as they gazed towards the end of the lane, hoping to see their children, grandchildren, and other family members returning home for Tet. It seemed that Tet evoked the feeling of reunion and togetherness after a long year of separation.

Tet, the Lunar New Year, is a time of abundance, reunion, and exchanging good wishes. The Tet of yesteryear was always filled with affection and lingering memories. Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, we ask ourselves, is Tet today any different from Tet of the past? No one can answer that question precisely; we only know that those old Tet seasons have slipped away, unintentionally remaining as beautiful memories.

Time never turns back, allowing us to return to those busy yet joyful days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). It's a time to show off new clothes to friends, to enjoy cakes, candies, and preserves that are only found at home during Tet, and to have grandparents, parents, siblings, and other family members together.

How I miss the smell of Tet in the old days! The smell filled with nostalgia and the joy of childhood!

Duc Bao

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/chao-nhe-yeu-thuong/202602/mui-cua-tet-xua-91c0925/