I used to be very 'afraid' of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

Whether Tet is tiring or relaxing depends on us. Knowing when you have enough is enough. If you don't find peace within yourself, how can you find peace during Tet?

Visiting the Home Hanoi Xuan flower street in Mailand Hanoi City to celebrate Tet early - Photo: NAM TRAN

With just over a week left until Lunar New Year, mothers and wives in Vietnam wholeheartedly prepare many delicious dishes for the holiday, readily setting up and cooking feasts for family reunions.

This inadvertently turns Tet holiday meals into invisible pressures, preventing many women from enjoying a relaxing Tet holiday.

From celebrating Tet to enjoying Tet.

Less cooking, simpler shopping – these things seem incredibly easy for modern women. But achieving this requires a shift in mindset from "celebrating Tet" to "enjoying Tet" over many years for grandmothers and mothers.

I think whether Tet is tiring or relaxing depends on us. Knowing when you have enough is enough. If you don't find peace within yourself, how can you find peace during Tet?

Personally, I used to dread Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

But for the past three years, I've completely changed my way of thinking, adjusted things, shopped less, cleaned less...

I spent a lot of time resting, going out with family and friends, giving myself and my family the most relaxing and peaceful Lunar New Year possible.

That's why I'm no longer afraid of Tet (Lunar New Year). I like Tet because I have more time to rest and go out, things I can't do during the rest of the year when I'm too busy working.

I made a shopping schedule, planned my Tet holiday shopping, prepared the menu for the three days of Tet, and planned my spring outing.

Specifically, Tet food for the family is only bought in sufficient quantities for 3 days. Supermarkets are the top priority and are only visited once, never a second time.

Sticky rice cakes, pork sausage, pork patties, pork, beef, and chicken were ordered a week before Tet from a reputable store, but the goods were only received on the 29th day of the lunar month.

Fruits and fresh flowers for the five-fruit offering on the altar… we'll buy them quickly at the market closer to Tet, so there's no need to rush and order them in advance.

Besides fresh food, for other items, I prefer shopping online. Buying online also means delivery right to my door, which is very convenient.

I buy all kinds of food to stock the refrigerator in portions, so that each day has its own supply. My family will cook together, clean together, and chat. I think Tet is much more relaxing this way.

Enjoying the spring festivities and the Tet atmosphere in the countryside.

My plan for the Lunar New Year holiday is to spend two days back in my hometown to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

The rest of my time off will be spent exploring various places in Hanoi, enjoying the relaxing and peaceful atmosphere amidst the quiet and deserted capital city, while most people are returning to their hometowns or traveling during Tet.

I'll take the opportunity to meet up with close friends. Sitting together, chatting and laughing is also a way to recharge after a long, tiring year filled with a mountain of work.

Throughout 2024, I was incredibly busy working. But I believe making money is a lifelong endeavor. Therefore, I decided to slow down to love myself and my family more.

For me, Tet is an opportunity to uphold traditional Vietnamese values, but that doesn't mean torturing oneself or wasting money.

Tet is a long holiday where all family members can experience the feeling of reunion and relaxation after a year of working and striving to complete plans and goals in their work and lives.

The Lunar New Year holiday is an ideal time to set aside the hustle and bustle; to enjoy meals filled with the love of grandparents and parents; to clean and tidy the house together, and clean the ancestral altar to show gratitude and filial piety; for the whole family to gather, reminisce about the past year, and welcome the new year...

Every family is different. But in my opinion, instead of worrying about preparing and decorating extensively during the Tet holiday, it's better to spend time with family, have fun, relax, and enjoy this leisurely time.

Celebrating Tet in a simple and orderly way makes it even more warm and joyful. The most important thing is how we want to celebrate Tet: elaborate or simple? Do we dare to live life on our own terms, or are we afraid of public opinion? Do we dare to travel during Tet?

Let's temporarily forget the busyness and worries of everyday life, show love to family and friends, and don't burden ourselves with unnecessary pressures, responsibilities, and anxieties.

Just enjoy Tet, if you can.

How one chooses to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is entirely up to each individual and family. But perhaps the most enjoyable way to celebrate Tet is simply to experience it as one's own way.

Therefore, whether you want to prepare for Tet in an elaborate and joyful way or simply and happily is entirely up to you and your family.

I will clean my house, clean my soul, so that I can enjoy Tet with my most important loved ones in my own way, according to my wishes.

And you, will you be celebrating Tet or enjoying Tet? Wishing you a very happy and joyful Tet holiday!

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/toi-tung-rat-so-tet-2025011809261331.htm