tet vocabulary
TRANSCRIPT
Tết is the “Vietnamese N____ Y____” – and it
is the most important celebration in Vietnamese
culture.
Tết celebrates the arrival of s_______ based on
the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar.
Tết is the “Vietnamese New Year” – and it is
the most important celebration in Vietnamese
culture.
Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on
the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar.
• What would you call this in English?
• What are some of the ingredients?
Cylindrical shape is more popular in Saigon Square shape is more common in Hanoi
“Steamed Square (rice) Cake”• Glutinous Rice (“Sticky” rice)
• Mung Bean
• Pork
• Green Peas
• Fish Sauce
• Banana (instead of pork)
• wrapped in Banana Leaf
Bánh chưng =
Bánh dày = “Sticky Rice Cake”
* Often eaten with Vietnamese Sausage ( Chả lụa; giò lụa)
*Bonus: What’s the difference between Chả and giò ?
“Sticky Red Rice”Xôi gấc =
Considered “lucky” because of it’s bright red color.
If a person eats sticky red rice, they will have good fortune all year.
*It’s made with young/baby jackfruit paste
This popular welcome snack is usually
offered to guests – what kind of items does it
usually include?
= Candied / Dried Fruits
Often includes:
• Tamarind candy
• Pumpkin / Watermelon Seeds
• Dried Ginger / Coconut
• Dried Pineapple
• Lotus Seeds
Mứt
Boiled Chicken is often served with lime leaves,
salt and pepper.
*Chicken is often served on the 3rd day of Tet to
say ‘goodbye’ to ancestors returning to the
‘heavens’.
Cleaning before Tet is done to get rid of bad spirits
from the previous year.
*What is the belief if you clean during Tet?
DECORATING
Flowers / Trees
*What kind of flowers / trees do families often use to
decorate their home?
• A lot of families spend time shopping to prepare for all the cooking.
• Parents will often buy new clothes for their children.
To honor ancestors, many Vietnamese families:
• Visit graves of ancestors / bring flowers & offerings
• ‘Welcomes’ ancestors home by lighting incense sticks and offer sweets, foods and wine
at the alter
• Offer material items such as cars, money, etc. by burning paper models.
Many families place a five-fruit offering at their
ancestors alter.
Can you name the 5 fruits in Saigon
How about Hanoi?
Hanoi’s 5-fruit Tray 1) “Buddha's Hand”
fruit
2) Bananas
3) Pomelo
4) Persimmon
5) Oranges / Mandarin
Saigon’s 5-fruit Tray1) Watermelon
2) Coconut
3) Dragon Fruit
4) Pineapple
5) Mango
• often custard apple &
papaya too.
To honor spirits, some families:
• create a paper effigy of the Kitchen Gods (sometimes putting honey
or something sweet on their lips of convincing them to say good things)
• purchase carp fish (because each god usually rides on
a carp)
While families in HCMC often travel for New Years, the first day of
the new year is typically spend with the immediate family.
• Elders often give “Lucky Money” to
younger family members
• Children wear new clothes
• What is the belief about the first visitor
to your house?
Traditionally, but not strictly, visiting Friends come on the 2nd day,
and teachers are visited on the third day.
Commonly, most greetings will begin:
“I wish you ….
“My Family and I wish you…
“I wish you to have…
“My Family and I wish you to have…
…and conclude with the following ‘wishes’
“I wish you ….(Good Health, Happiness, & Prosperity)
“My Family and I wish you… (Security & Longevity)
“I wish you to have…(A wonderful Lunar New Year)
“My Family and I wish you to have…(good health &
lots of wealth!)