Then the true celebrations began. I visited over 10 houses in 2 days - which translates into A LOT of overeating and drinking. Much like our Christmas tradition of visiting every one's Christmas trees, the Vietnamese take the time during Tet to visit as many friends and family as possible. There are officially 3 days for the celebration; the 1st day is more dedicated to immediate family and visiting the temple to do ancestral worship then days 2 and 3 are hoping from house to house to wish everyone Happy New Year, share food and drinks, and give the children lucky money. Small amounts of money are placed in envelopes and given to the children.
Here are a few of the highlights from the all the houses visits!
The director of the bureau's nine year old son was very entertaining and ending up helping me improve some of my Tai Chi moves.
I was told to wear my ao dai (the traditional dress my colleagues gave me for Christmas) during Tet and that everyone wears the Ao Dai during Tet - to my surprise, I was the only one in an ao dai.
I went home as soon as possible and changed!! It isn't as if I don't stick out enough here with my short, light brown hair, pointy nose and white skin - a lime green ao dai certainly made heads turn. Oh dear!!
Each house had a Tet Tree but they weren't all the same. Some had yellow flowers which is more a tradition from North Vietnam.
Some had pink flowers which is more of southern tradition.
And some had beautiful mandarin trees.
Everyone was so giving and there was no saying no to more food. My friend, Trang's mother was even stuffing my pockets with food as I left the house at 10pm!! She was such a sweaty and hilarious....even with my poor Vientnamese and her no English....I was able to understand that she thought it would be a great idea if I married her son:-)
More eating with my colleague Phuong and her sister-in-law Thuy!
Mot, Hai, Ba - Yo!!! (One, Two, Three - Cheers!) with my colleagues Thuy, Thom and their husbands.
Nhung's three year old son gave me a lesson on how to ride with a heavy load on the back of my bicycle!! They learn early!
Usually lucky money is reserved for children aged 15 and younger but since it was my first Tet, a few of my friends also gave me lucky money!
My grand Total - 120,000 dong = about $8:-)
