I have returned from my Aussie holiday to a city bursting with colour. Chuc Mung Nam Moi translated means "Happy New Year" and the time of Tet is the Vietnamese celebration seeing the new year in. James and I will be off in Cambodia for the day (the 7th) but we have taken in some of the sights. I am regretting our decision to holiday out of the country because there is a real buzz.
As with the Western New Year there is a fantastic display of lights at night, wrapped around trees and strung across roads. But the flower displays have won my heart. In one of the big parks in the city there is a flower market, where the tradition of presenting family and friends with gifts of plants meets commerce. Potted plants flowering in red or yellow were in all sizes and varieties. It is just a mass of colour and excitement.
Another large park has a flower display that is well worth the 15,000 dong (about $1) entry fee. Flower beds of potted plans have taken weeks to prepare but the result is just magnificent. The Vietnamese are very skilled artists and able to create some beautiful pieces, even though they are make from butterfly wings. Huge dragons crafted solely from fruit, vegetables and spices are just incredible.
City streets have been closed, low brick walls have been built to boarder garden beds of potted plants that have taken over the roadway. Bamboo frameworks support dozens of hanging baskets. The number of man hours to create this are well worth the affect. There seems to be no concern about the disruption to traffic, everyone still has a smile on their face. Obviously there is no constrictions of water usage, everything is watered regularly to keep it blooming.
The city shops have decorations hanging and displays in front of which it seems to be compulsory to have a photo taken. Trying to get a shot without a local child smiling for dad as he clicks the camera on his mobile phone is a challenge.
Motor bikes are going down the roads piled high with potted trees, the blossoms blowing about. Everyone seems to have some type of baggage on board and through the bus windows you can see travelers with baskets of goodies on their laps as they make their way to their home town. There is an exodus of city dwellers returning to spend this important time of year with family.
This is also a time for spring cleaning, everybody seems to be scrubbing, sweeping or painting, all part of the traditions that surround this time. Our landlord visited the other day with a gift of grapefruit decorated with new year wishes. We are not allowed to eat them till after Tet. It is custom to invite family and friends to eat with you and share the season. It seems a season of true goodwill.
We have decided that we will remain in the city for Tet next year, experience fully the excitement and fun that is bubbling about. Not sure what awaits us in Cambodia during this season but guess that will be the topic for my next blog.
So .... Chuc Mung Nam Moi to you all. Till next time.....
