Learn How We Can Introduce Vietnam’s Tet Celebration to the World of English (Part 2)

Yellow ochna flowers represent the Lunar New Year in southern Vietnam. Photo: Oanh Pham / Ho Chi Minh City

*Bạn đọc tham khảo Phần 1 tại đây: https://reflective-english.vn/real-life-english/tet-2021-part-1.html

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SHOPPING LIST

In the days before Tết, markets and streets are jam-packed with shoppers (1). Busy housewives pick up foil, paper garlands, and auspicious red and gold decorations (2) shaped like fish, coins, firecrackers, and blossoms. Each lunar year is represented by a zodiac animal (3), as reflected in glossy stickers or on paper lanterns (4). Locals bring home stacks of red bao lì xì – lucky money envelopes – which are customarily gifted by elders to younger members (5) of the family, or by managers to employees. It’s a sign of maturity for young Vietnamese to stop receiving lì xì and start giving it instead.

HOLIDAY COOKING

Food – especially the Tết cake bánh chưng – is an important component of the celebrations. According to folklore (6), the last Hùng King could not decide which of his sons would take the throne (7), so he held a competition to find which son could bring him the best dish in the world. One son stood out, as he presented these two savoury rice cakes representing heaven and earth (8). These humble dishes impressed the king who then awarded him the throne. Across Vietnam, families will sit down to a day-long feast (9), and present candied fruits in beautiful boxes for guests to enjoy.

A traditional Tết dinner is an important occasion for family members to gather and talk about the past year. Each region has its own version of the meal. (10) In the North, nem (fried spring rolls), bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), and whole boiled chicken are some essential dishes. A Southern Tết meal is made of caramelised pork, bitter melon soup, and chicken salad, among other things. (11) Many dishes symbolise the passing of hardship, as well as new hope for the new year.

A stroll around the Quảng Bá Flower Market near Hồ Tây (West Lake) is unforgettable the week before Tết. Shoppers bundled up against the chill buy the finest pink peach boughs they can afford to bring luck in the New Year. (12) Tết Eve is best witnessed in the alleys of the Old Quarter, (13) where hundreds of makeshift altars appear on the curbs, (14) set with offerings of fruit and boiled chicken.

TẾT IN HỒ CHÍ MINH CITY

In the South, yellow ochna flowers represent the Lunar New Year (15). Tết in Hồ Chí Minh City is no less colourful than in the North (16). Nguyễn Huệ Street in District 1 hosts the country’s largest flower show. Join the throngs (17) – families in new clothes and young women in áo dàis wielding selfie-sticks (18) – in admiring the impressive floral displays.

- People from all over the country will return to their hometowns for the Tết holiday, creating heavy demand for bus, train and plane tickets, as well as hotel rooms. If you must travel during this time, try to book transportation and accommodation far in advance (19).

- With many staff gone home to their families, businesses and restaurants typically shut for at least the first few days of Tết. Expect cities to be quiet during this time, as well as limited dining and shopping options (20).

- The first few days of Tết are a rare chance to see Vietnam’s big cities empty of noise and traffic. Take advantage of the quiet and explore by bicycle, scooter or on foot. (21)

- You may be invited into a family’s home for Tết which is a huge honour. During Tết, it’s important not to drop by any Vietnamese home without an invitation (22), as the first guests of the year are specially chosen to bring good luck to each household.

- Warm wishes are much appreciated around and during Tết. (23) On the first days of the new year, smile and say “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” (Happy New Year) to everyone you see!

(Adapted from https://vietnam.travel)

*LEARNERS’ NOTES:

(1) jam-packed with shoppers / extremely crowded with customers: đông nghẹt người mua sắm

(2) auspicious red and gold decorations / promising good-luck red and gold ornaments: trang hoàng hai màu vàng kim và đỏ cầu mong may mắn

(3) Each lunar year is represented by a zodiac animal / Every single year is symbolised by an animal in the Chinese Zodiac: Mỗi năm âm lịch mang hiệu một con giáp

(4) reflected in glossy stickers or on paper lanterns / depicted on flashy stickers or bright colored lanterns: lấp lánh trên những miếng dán treo trang trí hay trên giấy đèn lồng sáng màu

(5) customarily gifted by elders to younger members / given by elder family members to younger ones as a custom: theo phong tục là tiền mừng được tặng bởi bậc cha anh cho con em trong nhà

(6) According to folklore / Legend has it that: Theo truyền thuyết dân gian

(7) would take the throne / would deserve to be heir to the throne: xét thấy xứng đáng để thừa kế ngai vàng

(8) these two savoury rice cakes representing heaven and earth / these pairs of rice cakes, square and round in shape, featuring earth and heaven: Hai loại bánh nếp thơm ngon này, hình vuông và tròn, tượng trưng cho Đất và Trời

(9) Across Vietnam, families will sit down to a day-long feast / Throughout Vietnam, family members engage in feasting all day long: Khắp quê hương đất Việt, mọi thành viên trong gia đình gia tộc ngồi xuống bên nhau ăn mừng lễ tết cả ngày

(10) Each region has its own version of the meal / The first-day-of-the-year meal varies from region to region: Bữa ăn ngày đầu năm khác nhau đôi chút tùy theo mỗi vùng miền

(11) A Southern Tết meal is made of coconut stew pork, bitter melon soup, and chicken salad, among other things. / The traditional Tet meal in southern Vietnam is composed of coconut stew pork, bitter melon soup, and chicken salad, just name a few. Bữa ăn ngày Tết ở Nam Bộ chủ yếu là thịt heo kho nước dừa, canh khổ qua và món gỏi gà, cùng nhiều thứ khác nữa.

(12) Shoppers bundled up against the chill buy the finest pink peach boughs they can afford to bring luck in the New Year. / Shoppers wrapped up against the cold air pick up a nicest bough of pink beach blossom to their taste and budget, hoping to bring luck into their home sweet home. Người mua sắm xúng xính trong bộ quần áo ấm bất kể cái lạnh tìm mua một cành bông đào vừa ý và hợp túi tiền như mang lộc về nhà.

(13) Tết Eve is best witnessed in the alleys of the Old Quarter. / The Lunar New Year’s Eve features itself best in the alleys and side streets around the old quarter. Các phố hẹp và ngõ ngách khu Phố Cổ là nơi bạn có thể cảm nhận rõ nét nhất chiều tối 30 tết giao thừa

(14) hundreds of makeshift altars appear on the curbs / here and there can be seen field or street altars set up on the kerbs along sidewalks. Đây đó trên vệ đường có thể thấy hàng trăm bàn cúng tạm đang hương khói.

(15) yellow ochna flowers represent the Lunar New Year / Mai Vang blossom plants or plants of ochna flowers symbolise the Lunar New Year in the tropical South. Hoa Mai vàng biểu trưng cho tết Nguyên Đán ở xứ nóng Phương nam

(16) no less colourful than in the North / just as colorful as the North: cũng đặc sắc không kém gì Bắc Bộ

(17) join the throngs  / take part in the crowds of people: hòa nhập cùng phố đông

(18) young women in áo dàis wielding selfie-sticks / young women in the charming ao dai, holding up selfie sticks for a pleasant shot. Những thiếu nữ duyên dáng trong tà áo dài, trong tay là que chụp selfie sẵn sàng tự chụp sắc xuân.

(19) book transportation and accommodation far in advance / reserve transportation and accommodation well in advance: đặt vé tàu xe và khách sạn đón trước thời gian

(20) Expect cities to be quiet during this time, as well as limited dining and shopping options. / It’s normal to find cities quiet at this time and expect dining and shopping limitations. Ai cũng nên biết rằng phố xá đô thị sẽ thưa người vào thời điểm này và chấp nhận những hạn chế về sự đa dạng nơi ăn uống và mua sắm vì nhiều nơi đóng cửa nghỉ Tết.

(21) Take advantage of the quiet and explore by bicycle, scooter or on foot. / Make the best out of this quiet time and explore Vietnam by bike or scooter and even on foot. Tuy nhiên, hãy tận dụng thời gian yên tĩnh này mà khám phá đất nước và con người Việt Nam bằng xe đạp, xe gắn máy hay rảo bộ nếu có thể.

(22) It’s important not to drop by any Vietnamese home without an invitation. / You are advised against visiting any Vietnamese home unless you are invited to do so. Bạn không nên ghé thăm nhà nào hết nếu không được mời và sắp xếp trước nhé.

(23) Warm wishes are much appreciated around and during Tết. / People would appreciate you exchanging warm wishes and auspicious greetings. Vào dịp Tết, ai ai cũng mong được thân nhân bè bạn chúc phúc và chúc may mắn.

*Bài học này do thầy Trần Đình Tâm biên soạn.