Hanoi, (VNA) – Passing down through generations and continued with equal enthusiasmtoday, “Xong dat” (first footing), a Tet tradition in Vietnam, has always beenassociated with hopes for a fruitful year ahead.

Accordingto the tradition, the first guest to enter the house after midnight on theLunar New Year’s Eve is believed to have a bearing on the family’s fortunethroughout the year.

Manyfamilies ask a close friend or relative to carry out this New Year mission.

Toensure good luck for the house, the selected “first foot” is normally requiredto have zodiac signs compatible with the host. He or she should also be successfuland content with life.  

Theinvited guest usually visits the house in the morning of the first day of theLunar New Year, bringing with him small gifts for the family, including luckymoney in red envelops for children. He greets each member, wishing the old withlongevity, businessmen with thriving prosperity, and kids with good academicachievements.

Thehost generously welcomes the special guest, offering the family’s best New Yeartreats, wine or tea. 

Somefamilies choose a member to become the first to enter the house. In this case,the “first foot” normally goes out and comes home after midnight with a springbranch, which represents year-round blessings.

Dueto the belief, Vietnamese people used to avoid visiting each other in the firstmorning after New Year’s Eve.

Themost noticeable change to the age-old tradition is that more and more people havebegun to think of it as a New Year delight, rather than a sight of futurefortune./.