Preserving the traditional Tet holiday in modern life.

Despite the fast-paced modern life, the traditional Lunar New Year still returns with all its colors and emotions.

Tet is a time for family reunions, and each Tet custom carries within it a thread that connects generations.

In Hai Phong during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), from the city center to the suburban villages, one can still see hearths burning brightly, peach blossoms in front of the gates, and tables laden with family meals...

Tet is about returning home.

For many families, Tet (Lunar New Year) begins with a journey home. Returning home, to parents and grandparents, to familiar customs. For Ms. Le Tu Hao's family in Thai Tan commune, this has never changed. Even though she works far from home, every year she returns to her hometown for Tet. On the morning of the first day of Tet, the whole family wakes up early to go to the temple. Not to pray for distant good fortune, but to wish for a peaceful new year for the family.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, there's a family reunion lunch. In the afternoon, the whole family visits their grandparents on both sides to wish them a happy new year. On the second day, they visit their maternal relatives. On the third day, they visit their old teachers. "That's the family tradition; we just do it, without feeling burdened. The grandparents are happy, the parents are happy, and the children understand that Tet is not just about eating and drinking, but about preserving the beautiful aspects of the family," Ms. Hao shared.

Ms. Le Tu Hao's family has always upheld the tradition of visiting temples on the morning of the first day of the lunar month.

In the old tiled-roof house, New Year's greetings rang out, and children's laughter brightened the courtyard. The house wasn't too big, nor was it overly decorated, but it was incredibly warm. Many young people now choose to travel during Tet. Ms. Hao doesn't object, but still believes that just one evening standing around the dinner table, seeing her parents healthy and her children happily chatting, is enough to make Tet complete.

Ms. Ha Minh Chau, residing in An Bien ward, also maintains this tradition. Every year, her family decorates their house with peach blossoms or kumquats. The whole family cleans and arranges the altar, preparing the offerings. "Tet is a time when children and grandchildren learn to respect the elderly and show love to one another," she said.

Truong Tuan Vinh was taught how to wrap banh chung (Vietnamese rice cakes) by his grandfather when he was in 7th grade.

In every family, each Tet (Lunar New Year) custom carries a thread that connects generations. One of the most visible Tet customs is making banh chung (traditional rice cakes). Nowadays, many families are busy ordering them ready-made. But for Mr. Truong Tuan Vinh in Lac Phuong commune, making banh chung is a joy and a precious memory.

Vinh learned to wrap banh chung (Vietnamese rice cakes) in the 7th grade, carefully guided by his grandfather. “At first, I was clumsy; the leaves tore and the cakes were misshapen. My grandfather didn’t scold me, he just told me to try again,” Vinh recalled.

In recent years, the former Hai Duong Museum (now the Hai Phong Museum, Branch 2) has organized many activities to experience traditional Tet (Lunar New Year).

Tet in a modern setting.

The fast pace of urban life has changed many habits. But thanks to that, Tet is expressed in many new ways. In the days leading up to Tet, in the city center and cultural spaces, there is a trend of taking photos wearing traditional Tet ao dai (Vietnamese long dress).

Pham Thi Thuy Linh's group of friends (from Hai Duong ward) chose the Hai Phong Museum, Branch 2, as their photoshoot location. The museum space features wooden houses, a tiled courtyard, and old items such as charcoal stoves and water jars. The atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) is recreated right in the heart of the city.

In recent years, the Hai Phong Museum's second branch has incorporated nearly 10 traditional crafts into its experiential activities, such as making puffed rice, pottery, wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), sculpting clay figurines, woodblock printing, and making banh troi and banh chay (traditional Vietnamese rice dumplings). Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, Deputy Director of the Museum, said: “Thanks to the innovative approach to visiting and experiencing these crafts, the number of visitors has increased by 10-15% each year. For the Lunar New Year of 2026 (Year of the Horse), we will continue to create more new spaces to make the museum even more attractive.”

Xu Dong Hoi Quan, in collaboration with the Hai Phong Museum, offers an experience of wearing the traditional Vietnamese ao dai and ancient costumes in a setting reminiscent of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) celebrations of the past.

Besides experiencing traditional crafts, since 2024, the Tet (Lunar New Year) space at the Hai Phong Museum's second branch has also included the participation of the Xu Dong Association – a gathering place for those who love ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), ancient costumes, and traditional culture. Each Tet, members collaborate with the museum to organize cultural performances showcasing the past, such as wearing ao dai, ao tac, and ao nhat binh (traditional Vietnamese dresses), introducing traditional costumes, recreating traditional Tet greeting scenes, and especially performing ca tru (traditional Vietnamese singing).

A performance of Ca Tru (traditional Vietnamese folk singing) on ​​the veranda of an old house at the Hai Phong Museum.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Head of the Xu Dong Association, said: “We want to bring a Tet (Vietnamese New Year) that is truly Vietnamese. When you wear an ao dai or ao tac, you will feel the beauty of Vietnamese clothing. When you listen to ca tru (traditional Vietnamese singing), you will understand why this traditional art form has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. We are very happy that this Tet we are continuing to partner with the Hai Phong Museum to spread cultural values.”

"As long as we maintain our curiosity and love for culture, the traditional Tet holiday will always live on in future generations," Ms. Huong added.

PHUONG LINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ven-nguyen-tet-co-truyen-trong-doi-song-hien-dai-535780.html