Tet Flowers & Plants
Tet holidays represent a time of relaxation, joy, and family bonding for people in Vietnam. Much like the Christmas tree in Western cultures, Vietnamese families adorn their homes with a variety of flowers and plants during this festive period. Notable options include chrysanthemums, marigolds, Mao Ga flowers, paper flowers, and lavender. In recent years, orchids and roses have begun to gain popularity as decorative choices. However, three plants stand out as essential during Tet: the peach flower, ochna integerrima (known as hoa mai), and marumi kumquat.
Flower Market
The bustling atmosphere of flower markets as Tet approaches is both exciting and nostalgic.
Photo @scootersaigontour.com
In northern Vietnam, peach flowers and marumi kumquats are traditional favorites, while southern residents often prefer ochna integerrima for their Tet celebrations. This preference is largely due to the different climatic conditions: marumi kumquats and peach trees thrive in cooler temperatures, while ochna integerrima flourishes in the warm, sunny climate of the south.
Citizens of these two regions offer various interpretations of this floral tradition. Northerners believe that peach flowers bloom in springtime during the Tet holidays while other flowers remain dormant, symbolizing resilience and vitality. The pink hues of the peach blossoms express love and happiness that resonates during this joyous time. There are two main types of peach flowers: light pink varieties and the specialty Nhat Tan peach from Hanoi, which boasts darker pink (almost red) blooms.
Peach Flower - Peaceful and Elegant
Photo @baomoi.com
On the other hand, marumi kumquat carries its own significance. A tree exhibiting all five features (fruits, flowers, leaves, branches, and roots) symbolizes prosperity and happiness for the upcoming year. When selecting a good kumquat tree, it’s important to find one with a mix of ripe and green fruits, mature leaves, and fresh buds, representing the wealth and luck that the family hopes to embrace in the new year.
Kumquat - Lucky and Fruitful
Photo @cayhoacanh.com
The ochna integerrima found in the southern region conveys a different meaning. The golden-yellow petals are believed to reflect the noble heritage of the Vietnamese people, stemming from the legend of their ancestors, a dragon and a fairy. Additionally, the high bloom rate of these flowers during Tet signifies wealth and passionate love between individuals.
Hoa Mai (Ochna Integerrima) - Bright and Shining
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Photo @yeucaycanh.com
Vietnamese typically purchase these special plants starting from mid-December of the lunar calendar and keep them until mid-January for the New Year celebrations. Some families may even retain their floral decorations until the end of the lunar month of January.
Watch our video: Tet's Colors Brighten Up Northern Highland
New Year Wishes
Tet holidays are the moments of happiness and family enjoy, therefore Vietnamese often dedicate the most beautiful words to their family and friends on this occasion.
What Gifts Do Vietnamese Bring For Tet?
Giving gifts on Tet Festival, which has been long a traditional custom in Vietnam’s ancient culture, represents not only the close relationship but also the thorough and subtle of human behaviors. Vietnamese are extremely careful in talking and behaving on the very first days of New Year, as it can determine the good fortune throughout the year.
Tet Nguyen Tieu - First Full Moon Of The Year
Besides Tet, Tet Nguyen Tieu (First Full Moon of the New Year) is also a good opportunity for foreigners to experience Vietnamese culture thoroughly. Although Tet Nguyen Tieu originates from China, when being spread to Vietnam, Tet Nguyen Tieu has adopted to the particular cultural aspect of VIetnam and plays a significant role in Vietnamese's cultural and religious life.
