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Van Nguyen / youthjournalism.org
Tet decorations at the Van Mieu complex in Hanoi |
By Van Nguyen
Junior Reporter
Junior Reporter
HANOI, Vietnam – Tet is a special occasion that
brings family members a weeklong embrace and gives us Vietnamese people
precious chances to unwind.
brings family members a weeklong embrace and gives us Vietnamese people
precious chances to unwind.
After the important first day of New Year, thenext ones are when we can go out together and have blissful moments.
As spring comes, Hanoi is seemingly coated with
a colorfully flowered shirt.
The flower market, which plays an integral role
in Hanoi’s open air market, floods various streets from Hang Luoc, Hang Cot,
Hang Khoai, along Hang Ma to Phung Hung, making it a wonderful place to
explore.
in Hanoi’s open air market, floods various streets from Hang Luoc, Hang Cot,
Hang Khoai, along Hang Ma to Phung Hung, making it a wonderful place to
explore.
Roses in many shapes and colors strive to
bloom; dreamy violets gently shine amid the vibrant atmosphere at Tet while
fragile dahlia generate vague regret.
bloom; dreamy violets gently shine amid the vibrant atmosphere at Tet while
fragile dahlia generate vague regret.
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Van Nguyen / youthjournalism.org
Countless beautiful flowers at the flower market in Hanoi
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The flower market leads visitors to be close to
nature, enjoy the coldness of Hanoi and relish the dazzling beauty of blossoms
simultaneously. It’s like Hanoians from all walks of life get together at the flower
market while busily preparing for a promising year. They come not only to
behold nature’s gifts providing them with seven brilliant days but also to
socialize with others and make friends.
nature, enjoy the coldness of Hanoi and relish the dazzling beauty of blossoms
simultaneously. It’s like Hanoians from all walks of life get together at the flower
market while busily preparing for a promising year. They come not only to
behold nature’s gifts providing them with seven brilliant days but also to
socialize with others and make friends.
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Van Nguyen / youthjournalism.org
The gentle daisy at the flower market
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Although the flower market takes place
annually, it has its own feature every year and is overcrowded with buyers and
sellers.
annually, it has its own feature every year and is overcrowded with buyers and
sellers.
While recreational venues in Hanoi like Thong
Nhat Park and Thu Le Zoo are surprisingly quiet at Tet, thousands of people
enthusiastically line up to get a ticket to the Temple of Literature. Foreigners
are also here in a desire to know more about the customs of this little
S-shaped country.
Nhat Park and Thu Le Zoo are surprisingly quiet at Tet, thousands of people
enthusiastically line up to get a ticket to the Temple of Literature. Foreigners
are also here in a desire to know more about the customs of this little
S-shaped country.
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Van Nguyen / youthjournalism.org
Some of the 82 steles at the Temple of
Literature at Van Mieu
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The Temple of Literature, built during the Ly
dynasty and located to the South of Thang Long Citadel, is the first university
in Vietnam. It is now regarded as a national monument, with 82 steles, or stone
markers, officially being recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.
dynasty and located to the South of Thang Long Citadel, is the first university
in Vietnam. It is now regarded as a national monument, with 82 steles, or stone
markers, officially being recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.
We visit the Temple of Literature for luck, for
excellent study results, or for national security.
excellent study results, or for national security.
If the area outside the temple is bustling with
people passionately touching the turtles’ heads and dropping red coins to get a
“lucky” year, inside is buzzing with those worshipping Confucius and his
disciples in the hope of passing the examinations.
people passionately touching the turtles’ heads and dropping red coins to get a
“lucky” year, inside is buzzing with those worshipping Confucius and his
disciples in the hope of passing the examinations.
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Van Nguyen / youthjournalism.org
A man does calligraphy as part of
the Tet celebration
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The Temple of Literature also introduces funny
folk games as well as many forms of folk songs in Vietnam such as tuong, cheo, ca tru, quan ho and the like. Another cultural characteristic
in the Temple of Literature is calligraphy. Calligraphy brings the unique
flavor of Tet and has been etched in Vietnamese people’s minds.
folk games as well as many forms of folk songs in Vietnam such as tuong, cheo, ca tru, quan ho and the like. Another cultural characteristic
in the Temple of Literature is calligraphy. Calligraphy brings the unique
flavor of Tet and has been etched in Vietnamese people’s minds.
For those with an interest in culture and
history, the Old Quarter is a not-to-be-missed destination at Lunar New Year
Festival.
history, the Old Quarter is a not-to-be-missed destination at Lunar New Year
Festival.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is an architectural
ensemble, where streets are filled with merchants and experts in specific
trades such as silk, jewelry and other traditional artisan crafts.
ensemble, where streets are filled with merchants and experts in specific
trades such as silk, jewelry and other traditional artisan crafts.
Daily activities of urban residents take place
here: production, sales, recreation and festivals, creating strong vitality and
continuous development to the old town. It makes a lasting impression as a
place with a fairly comprehensive urban life in business, society, customs and
dynamism.
here: production, sales, recreation and festivals, creating strong vitality and
continuous development to the old town. It makes a lasting impression as a
place with a fairly comprehensive urban life in business, society, customs and
dynamism.
During the Tet holiday, the Old Quarter is
brimming with life, noisier than usual. Numerous goods are exchanged and people
amble from one spot to another, causing the streets to be narrower but more delightful.
To my way of thinking, the 36 streets in the Old Quarter are an extraordinary
combination of contrast – ancient versus modern and serene versus lively.
brimming with life, noisier than usual. Numerous goods are exchanged and people
amble from one spot to another, causing the streets to be narrower but more delightful.
To my way of thinking, the 36 streets in the Old Quarter are an extraordinary
combination of contrast – ancient versus modern and serene versus lively.
You know, it is really easy to experience a
meaningful Lunar New Year Festival. Get a move and start your journey, right
now.
meaningful Lunar New Year Festival. Get a move and start your journey, right
now.
For more from Hanoi teens about 2013 Tet, see:
