Tết 2013

 Tết is the common name for the Vietnamese New Year. The years are represented by 12 zodiac animals: rat, buffalo, tiger, cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

2013 is the year of the snake. According to tradition, babies, especially girls, born during the year are more likely to become wealthy.

Vietnamese people avoid doing bad things and try to do good things during Tết holiday.

Before Tết, towns and cities set up flower streets, families renovate houses and  prepare food. The three days before Tết , the cities are empty as urban residents return to their family hometowns to reunite with relatives.

There are plenty of ways to wish someone a Happy New Year in Vietnamese. Traditional New Year greetings are:

Chúc mừng năm mới or Năm mới vui vẻ  which means “Happy New Year”

Chúc may mắn which means “Good luck”

Sống lâu trăm tuổi which means “long life of 100 years”

BIS students and the Vietnamese staff celebrated Tết this week with performances at the Tết assembly . The assembly was a showcase of history, music and culture.

We wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all.

Mrs. Mai Le
Head of Vietnamese Studies