TET HOLIDAY

1. READING
Tet, also called the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a lively and treasured holiday
celebrated with lots of excitement all over Vietnam. This happy festival marks the start of
the lunar calendar and usually happens in late January or early February. Tet is when
families come together to honor their ancestors, show appreciation, and welcome the new
year with hope and positivity.
Getting ready for Tet starts weeks ahead, with families busily cleaning and decorating their
homes. They put up traditional symbols like peach flowers and kumquat trees, which
represent good luck and success. Streets and houses are adorned with colorful lanterns and
bright red banners that have lucky phrases written on them.
One of the most thrilling parts of Tet is the busy atmosphere at local markets, where people
buy new clothes and special treats for the festivities. Sticky rice cakes, known as "Bánh
Chưng" and "Bánh Tét," are a must-have during Tet. These tasty treats are made with sticky
rice, filled with mung beans and pork, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled for hours until
they become soft and fragrant.
On the night before Tet, families gather for a lavish feast called the "Reunion Dinner."
Traditional dishes like braised pork, pickled vegetables, and steamed fish decorate the table,
symbolizing abundance and success for the upcoming year. After the feast, families light
incense sticks and pray at the family altar to honor their ancestors and ask for blessings for a
prosperous year ahead.
When midnight arrives, fireworks light up the sky, accompanied by the happy sounds of
firecrackers. It is believed that this scares away evil spirits and brings good luck. The streets
come alive with lion dances, traditional music performances, and lively parades featuring
dragon dances, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere.
During Tet, children eagerly await the arrival of "Ong Cong" and "Ong Tao," two mythical
figures believed to bring happiness and good fortune. They offer food, fruits, and flowers on
altars to welcome these kind-hearted deities.
Tet is a time for new beginnings and starting fresh. It is a chance for people to express
gratitude, resolve conflicts, and wish each other good luck for the coming year. Families
visit temples and pagodas to pray for health, wealth, and happiness. Additionally, it is
common for children to receive "lucky money" in red envelopes from their elders, which
symbolizes blessings and prosperity.
Tet is a cherished holiday in Vietnam that represents the country's rich cultural heritage. It is
a time for family gatherings, feasts, colorful celebrations, and heartfelt wishes for a
successful and joyful year ahead.
QUESTIONS:
A.
- When does Tet typically occur in Vietnam?
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- What traditional symbols are displayed during Tet, and what do they represent?
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- How do families prepare for Tet in advance?
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- What are some traditional dishes served during the Reunion Dinner?
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- Why do families light incense sticks and pray during Tet?
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- What happens at midnight during Tet celebrations?
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- What activities take place during Tet parades and events?
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- Have you ever witnessed a dragon dance during Tet? How did it make you feel ?
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- How do children welcome "Ong Cong" and "Ong Tao" during Tet?
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- What role do red envelopes play in Tet celebrations, and who typically gives them to
children?
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B.
- What are some traditional activities that people will be participating in during Tet this year?
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- Have you ever celebrated Tet with your family? What did you do?
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- Will you be attending any Tet parades or events in your city this year?
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- Did you learn about Tet in school when you were younger? What did you learn?
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- Have you ever visited Vietnam during Tet? How was the experience?
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- Will you be traveling to visit relatives during Tet this year?
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- Have you ever witnessed a dragon dance during Tet? How did it make you feel?
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- Will you be volunteering or participating in any charitable activities during Tet?
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- Do you think Tet celebrations have changed significantly over the years? Why or why not?
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2. VOCABULARY
Before New Year’s Eve : Tất niên
Lunar New Year : Tết Nguyên Đán
New Year’s Eve : giao thừa

Boiled chicken : gà luộc

Cashew nut : hạt điều
Five fruit tray : mâm ngũ quả
Jellied meat : thịt đông
Lean pork paste : chả lụa
Pickled onion : dưa hành
Pistachio : hạt dẻ cười
Roasted pumpkin seeds : hạt bí
Roasted sunflower seeds : hạt hướng dương
Roasted watermelon seeds : hạt dưa
Spring roll : chả giò
Steamed sticky rice : xôi

Apricot blossom : Hoa Mai

Banquet : mâm cỗ tết
Firecrackers : tràng pháo
Incense : nhang
Kumquat tree : cây Quất
Lucky money : tiền mừng tuổi
Orchid : Hoa Phong Lan
Peach blossom : Hoa Đào
The New Year tree : cây nêu
Calligraphy pictures : thư pháp
Decorate the house : trang trí nhà cửa
Dress up : diện quần áo đẹp
Exchange New Year’s wishes : chúc Tết
Family reunion : sum họp gia đình
First visit : xông nhà, xông đất
Give lucky money : mừng tuổi
Go to the pagoda to pray for luck : đi chùa cầu may
Honor the ancestors : tưởng nhớ tổ tiên
Spring festival : lễ hội mùa xuân
Spring flower market : chợ hoa xuân
Visit relatives and friends : thăm họ hàng, bạn bè
Watch the fireworks : xem pháo hoa

O S T M S E A C A B R E Z J T V D I T N
S R E C N W P S N I U S J N R N B A P O
K H C H M E A T C P F N T L M A U E G I
R K I H S U T E E E T E S J F Q N T M N
O B T O I I O T S O Z C G S M L A U L U
W M A Y S D W T T H S N S U U W P U L E
E I O I U Y I X O D W I K I P J E P M R
R B V Z G V O N R E W O L F E T N S A G
I V Q X A T G N S L S U A T A C E E X J
F Y B L Z U E F I P W C U G C I K E B L
M O S S O L B U S O A N U E H X C D F X
M V V U J L F Z Q A N G W G F I I S I Q
M B G U A J N M M N C C O O A O H V M E
P Y H P A R G I L L A C T D W C C N E X
L U C K Y M O N E Y A B T O A R K K S K

ancestors Banquet blossom

Calligraphy chicken festival
fireworks flower Incense
Kumquat Lucky Lunar
meat money nut
onion Orchid pagoda
Peach reunion rice
seeds visit wishes