By Harleen Kaur, Courier Staff Writer
Tet Nguyen Dan means the first morning of the first day of a new time period, making it the Vietnamese name for new year. Most recently, the holiday occurred on January 28, 2017. Not only is it a time for Vietnamese to display respect and remembrance to their ancestors, but it serves as a welcoming opportunity for the new year, according to the lunar calendar.
The holiday lasts for a couple of days. Several traditions are followed 
such as cleaning and renovating homes, polishing utensils, and placing specific types of flowers within the home as it is believed that doing such will remove all the bad luck that may have occurred in the previous year. When I asked my friend, Breanna Cao, who is Vietnamese, what other traditions are followed, she stated, “For our ancestors, we set up different plates on a table placed with side dishes such as rice and porridge. We also place fruit, candles, cups of water, and incense on the table to offer.”
Furthermore, family members meet up and exchange presents. Children are given money in red envelopes. In regards to this, she emphasized, “During the time of exchanging red envelopes, the adults wish something for the better future of the kids before giving it.”
Everyone wears red, which is perceived as a lucky color because it symbolizes good fortune. When she was asked about her favorite food during Tet Nguyen Den, Breanna said “The main meal that I really like is a sticky rice with the filling of beans and meat wrapped in banana leaf. It’s really unique because it represents the gods of the earth and sky.” She and her family go to the temple, where they pray to the gods for a good year ahead, give donations, and eat some vegetarian meals for celebration purposes.
During the midnight of new year, people ignite fireworks as means to drive the bad spirits away. Since this holiday basically serves as a time to start life afresh, people try to resolve any conflicts or unfinished tasks before the new year and celebrate afterwards.