One of the festivals that not only I but all people across the country love the most is none other than the Lunar New Year Festival, also known as Tet.

Traditionally, Lunar New Year holds profound significance for the Vietnamese, symbolizing not only the transition from old to new but also the interconnectedness between heaven, earth, and humanity. Rooted in Eastern philosophy, Tet, as it's known, is shaped by "Tiet" (weather) and the cyclical rhythm of the universe's four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. In agrarian societies, Tet is a time of reverence for deities like the Earth God, Rain God, and Sun God, credited with ensuring abundant harvests and a flourishing life as spring blooms after winter's harshness. It's also a time for families to reunite, bid farewell to the old year, and welcome the new, with lavish preparations to ensure prosperity.

Tet's onset coincides with the first day of the lunar calendar, preceded by elaborate preparations, including Dong Day, a ritual honoring the Kitchen God. Families meticulously clean and adorn their homes, believing any delay in this process risks erasing good fortune. Special Tet dishes like banh chung and spring rolls are prepared, as shops close for the holiday's two-week duration. New clothes are bought, debts settled, and gifts exchanged in anticipation of a fresh start.

New Year's Eve, the penultimate day, sees heartfelt gatherings where memories are cherished and hopes for the future shared. As midnight approaches, nationwide celebrations ensue, with some watching TV specials like the “Tao Quan” show while others revel in firework displays. The dawn of New Year's Day witnesses symbolic first-footing visits, believed to influence family fortunes for the year. Subsequent days are spent visiting relatives, friends, and temples, exchanging well-wishes and lucky money in red envelopes symbolizing luck.

A Vietnamese proverb delineates the sequence of familial visits during Tet: the first day for husbands' parents, the second for wives' parents, and the third for teachers. Overall, Tet embodies a return to roots, aspirations for the best, and vibrant festivities, embodying the essence of Vietnamese culture.