Hanoi (VNA) – The traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) is the biggest and oldestfestival in Vietnam, bringing itspeople together to celebrate the sacred and meaningful annual event.

Tet is an occasion when members of a family, no matter where they are and whatthey do to earn a living, get together and pray in front of the ancestralaltar. Their return to home in celebration of Tet is regarded as a journey backto their birthplace.

For most Vietnamese, Tet actually begins with the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (LandGenie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd of the last month of the lunaryear, which falls on January 28 this year.

The Kitchen Gods are believed to comprise of two male and one female spirit,who bless the household and keep up the kitchen fire, making every member ofthe family happy and prosperous.

According to legend, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps toHeaven on the 23rd to deliver an annual report on the household’s activities tothe God of Heaven.

As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, it is traditional torelease live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered a kind-hearteddeed to pray for good luck.

On that day, people also burn joss paper clothing, including hats, robes andboots, intended for use by the genies on the trip.

After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decoratingtheir houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean houserepresents a fresh start.

A year-end praying ceremony will be held in the evening of the last day of the 12thlunar month. Offerings to ancestors are indispensable, especially a tray offive fruits which symbolises hope for abundance and prosperity.

Before and after the holiday which will usually last for seven days, theVietnamese have different customs, depending on each locality.

Northerners will offer their ancestors a bunch of bananas, a grapefruit,oranges or tangerines, persimmons and kumquats while southerners will give acoconut, a papaya, custard apples, green mangos and a piece of twig.

Folk paintings, calligraphy, peach blossom and kumquat trees are very popularin each family in the northern region while apricot blossom is prevalent in thesouth. They represent affluence, good luck and happiness.

It is also their custom to clear up all debts and conflicts to look towards anew year of full harmony.

On the Eve of the New Year, each family holds a ceremony to welcome deities,ancestors to their house – a meeting between humans and heavenly spirits.

In front of the altar with spiralling incense smoke and sparkling candles, theyclasp hands and pray in deep respect.

According to their belief, the God will appoint new mandarins in charge of theearth during this moment. That’s why they must prepare a tray of offerings tosee off old spirits and welcome new ones, in a hope for a year of peace andwell-being. - VNA