LUNAR NEW YEAR

IN 5 DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES
A Manuscript Presented to the Faculty of English,
FPT University, Hoa Lac, Hanoi Vietnam

Partial Course Requirement for the English

Preparation Course TRS501
Nguyễn Đức Thuận
Nguyễn Khánh Chi
Nguyễn Cao Sơn
Fall Semester 14, December 2022

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 BACKGROUND
Celebrated around the world, it usually prompts the planet’s largest annual
migration of people. Since ancient times, the Lunar New Year is a familiar
holiday that has gone deep into the subconscious of every Asian person. It is a
holiday for each person to return to eat delicious meals with their family, offer
incense to worship ancestors and meet friends. The Lunar New Year has marked
the most sacred traditions in many countries. For this reason, we went into the
study, correlating the Lunar New Year traditions in 5 different countries: Vietnam,
China, India, Korea and Singapore. Our wish - the writers - is to bring to everyone
understanding and interest in the issue, thereby expressing our gratitude and
preserving this cultural value.
Three first-year students that present this topic are Nguyễn Đức Thuận,
majoring in English Studies, the other two Nguyễn Khánh Chi and Nguyễn Cao
Sơn are just starting to study Graphic Design. We have tried to gather as many
relevant documents as possible to support the topic and organize important key
points that are beneficial to make the manuscript well presented. Related research
references are listed in the references section.
This manuscript is a partial requirement to the English Preparation Course
– TRS5 and to be presented to the Faculty of English – FPT University, Hoa Lac,
Hanoi, Vietnam.
 
                          ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our trustworthy appreciation to our engaging,
supportive, and knowledgeable teachers, especially our research advisor, Phạm
Hồng Vân. She constantly provides us with opportunities to conduct research and
is invaluable throughout the period. Her dynamism, vision, sincerity, and
motivation have left an indelible impression on us. She taught us the methodology
for conducting the research and presenting the findings as clearly as possible.
Working and studying under her supervision was a great privilege and honor. We
are deeply grateful for what she has provided to us.
We also like to express our gratitude for TRS501.2.P2, empathy, fun, and
supportive, for their understanding and patience during the study work discussion.
Although working on this is quite challenging, we learned a lot that we knew
would be helpful in our future work.
Finally, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone
who helped us completely finish the research work, whether directly or indirectly.
 

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 CONTENTS PAGES
TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………………1
BACKGROUND………………………………………………………….2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………....3
I. KEYWORDS AND IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES……………….
II. THE HISTORY AND LEGEND OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR…….
1. The history of the Lunar New Year……………………………...
2. The legend of the Lunar New Year……………………………...
III. REASON FOR CHOOSING LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 5 COUNTRIES:
VIETNAM, CHINA, SINGAPORE, INDIA, KOREA…………………………...
IV. LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 5 COUNTRIES: VIETNAM, CHINA,
SINGAPORE, INDIA, KOREA………………………………………………….
1. In China – Place of origin……………………………………….
2. In India………………………………………………………….
3. In Korean………………………………………………………...
4. In Singapore…………………………………………………….
5. In Vietnam………………………………………………………
V. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………….
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………… 
LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. KEYWORDS AND IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
Keyword research is like a compass for determining the best way to
approach the meaning of keywords through the available definitions; identifying
keywords is like finding the right keywords if you have found the key to the
treasure. There are many important keywords on economic topics in this report,
and by using them, people can easily read this report and learn more about Lunar
New Year in 5 different countries: Vietnam, China, Singapore, India, Korea. 
1. Lunar New Year: The observance of the start of a new year in a
lunar or lunisolar calendar. The phrase is often used to refer to the Lunar New
Year celebration held in China and worldwide by people of Chinese heritage,
known as Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year usually falls in late January or
early February. However, Lunar New Year is also observed in many other
cultures.
2. A Nian (Chinese: 年 獸 ; pinyin: nián shòu): A beast in Chinese
mythology. Nian live under the sea or in the mountains. The Chinese character
Nian more usually means "year" or "new year".
3. A lunisolar calendar: A calendar in many cultures whose date
indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. If the solar year is

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defined as a tropical year, then a lunisolar calendar will give an indication of the
season, if it is taken as a sidereal year, then the calendar will predict the
constellation near which the full moon may occur.
4. Ancestor: a person from whom one is descended; forebear;
progenitor.
 
II. THE HISTORY AND LEGEND OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
1. The history of the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year has a history of more than 3,000 years.
During the Wei and Jin dynasties (220–420), in addition to worshiping
gods and ancestors, people began to have other recreational activities. The custom
of a family cleaning the house together, having dinner and staying up late on New
Year's Eve originates from folklore.
The prosperity of economies and cultures during the Tang, Song and Qing
dynasties fueled the development of Lunar New Year with many activities. Like
setting off firecrackers, visiting relatives and friends, and eating dumplings
become important parts of the celebration.

    Figure 1: The history of Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year

2. The Legend of Lunar New Year

The story behind the Lunar New Year involves a mythical beast named
Nian (meaning “Year,” or 年), a sea-dwelling creature with the head of a lion and
the body of an ox. Each year on New Year’s Eve, Nian would rise from the sea,
prowl the coastal villages, and feed on the villagers and their livestock.

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 The ordeal continued until a wise old man suggested using firecrackers
and red paper to defend against Nian. That night, when Nian left the sea under
cover of darkness, the creature was met by loud banging noises, flames, and bright
red papers pasted on the villagers’ doorframes. Frightened by the spectacle, Nian
retreated to the sea. To continue warding away the half-ox, half-lion sea monster,
the people hung red paper on their door frames and set off firecrackers each year.

.
                    Figure 2: A Nian in Lunar New Year’s legend
 
III. REASON FOR CHOOSING LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 5
COUNTRIES: VIETNAM, CHINA, SINGAPORE, INDIA, KOREA
 
Regarding the issue of Lunar New Year, we selected 5 countries:
Vietnam, China, India, Korea and Singapore to find out. These are 5 different
countries located on the Asian side. (Vietnam and Singapore are in Southeast
Asia, China is in Korea in East Asia; India is in South Asia). They are located on
the same continent, but their cultural traditions and ethos are not the same. The
Chinese are proud of their long and strong culture. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese
prefer the rustic and simple and express their gratitude to their ancestors. On the
other hand, Koreans are hardworking, humble and disciplined. Singaporeans live
in a multicultural - multiracial country. And Indians especially have a special
religious reverence. Because of these interesting features, the selection of these 5
countries to delve into the culture of celebrating the Lunar New Year is an issue
that attracts us.
 
IV. LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 5 COUNTRIES: VIETNAM, CHINA,
SINGAPORE, INDIA, KOREA
1. China - Place of origin

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 China is the origin of the Lunar New Year, so we would like to mention it
first. Because it is a leading country with a long and great culture, its customs
have also greatly influenced the celebration of the Lunar New Year in many other
countries.
1.1. Activities: 
a. Clean and decorate the house with red things
Red is the color or symbol of good luck in Chinese culture and is often
used for New Year decorations. The number "8" also symbolizes luck and wealth,
as in the
Chinese character the number 8 is pronounced rhyme with fortune or
wealth.                                                                         
 Stick the cut paper on the window. These delicate cuts often depict
scenes from rural life or Chinese mythology, and are traditionally plastered on
south- and north-facing windows.
 Display of Chinese New Year paintings and artworks. They
traditionally contain images of health and money, including animals and fruit.
You can stick a "door god" image on your door, traditionally to ward off evil
spirits and bless the home.
 Hang up joints as decoration. You can write spring-themed joints
yourself or buy Chinese calligraphy printed on red paper.
 Decorate with paper lanterns. They are made of red paper and are
one of the most popular decorations during Tet.
 Paint the door, door frame or window panels red to bring good

luck
 
 Figure 3: Decorating the house on Tet holiday
b. Soothe the kitchen god

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 Seven days before Tet, the Kitchen God is said to report to the Jade
Emperor about his family. Make offerings to the kitchen god with foods such as
fruit, candy, water or other foods. Some people burn a picture of the Kitchen God
to send him up into the sky like smoke. In some areas, people often prepare tofu
two days after honoring the kitchen god and eat the residue to show thrift when
the Jade Emperor comes to check on the cook god's report. You can replace this
tradition with more delicious tofu portions if you like
c. Set firecrackers
Set off fireworks at midnight when the new year begins. Firecrackers used
in China and Hong Kong are roaring firecrackers, mostly lit on the ground. Loud
noises are said to frighten evil spirits, to prevent them from bringing bad luck.

Figure 4: Firecrackers
d. Ancestor worship
Remembering the dead is a traditional Chinese New Year custom. Many
Chinese people visit ancestral graves on the day before the Lunar New Year.
Make an offering to the ancestors before the reunion dinner (to show that they are
letting the ancestors "eat" first) and add a glass to the New Year's dinner table.

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 Figure 5: Ancestors worship in China
e. New Year's lucky money
The most popular gifts are red envelopes. Red envelopes containing
money, often given to children and the elderly. Those who receive the red
envelopes wish for a happy and prosperous new year.
The Chinese favor amounts that start with even numbers, such as 8
(synonym for "wealth") and 6 (synonym for "smooth"), with the exception of 4
because it is homophone. "died".

Figure 6: Lucky money in Lunar New Year

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 1.2. Foods in Chinese’s Lunar New Year 
a. Sticky Rice Cake – Higher Income or Position
Sticky rice cake ( 年糕 Niángāo) is a lucky food eaten on Chinese New
Year's Eve. In Chinese, glutinous rice cake means "higher and higher year by
year". In the Chinese mind, this means that the higher you are, the more
prosperous your business will be, and generally the better your life will be. The
main ingredients of the cake are glutinous rice, sugar, chestnuts, dates and lotus
leaves.

Figure 7: Sticky rice cake - Nian gao

b. Chinese drift cake
Drift cake (汤圆 Tāngyuán) is the main dish for China's Lantern Festival.
However, in Southern China, people eat them during the Spring Festival. The
pronunciation and round shape of tangyuan are related to reunion and being
together. That's why they are popular among the Chinese during the New Year
celebrations.

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 Figure 8: Chinese drift cake
c. Longevity Noodles – Happiness and Longevity
Longevity noodles ( 长 寿 面 Chángshòu Miàn) symbolize the wish for
longevity. The lucky dish is eaten on Lunar New Year's Day in Northern China.
Noodles are longer than usual and not chopped, can be fried or boiled and put in a
bowl with the broth.

Figure 9: Longevity Noodles

d. Dumplings
Chinese dumplings are shaped like Chinese silver bars (not a bar, but a
boat, oval, and turned up at the ends). Legend has it that the more Dumplings you
eat during the New Year celebration, the more money you will earn in the new

year.

Figure 10: Dumplings

e. Fish 

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 Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish in the New Year dinner menu.
Fish means surplus, abundance. The Chinese always like to have some extra

money at the end of the year. Because they think that if they save something at the
end of the year, they can earn more next year. Steamed fish is one of the most
famous Chinese New Year recipes.

Figure 11: Steamed fish

 
1.3. Taboos in Lunar New Year of China:
The Chinese traditionally believe that the beginning of the year affects the
whole year. It is believed that what something looks like (color, shape) and what
its name sounds like, gives it a good or bad connotation. There are many things
you cannot do:
o Do not sweep on New Year's Day, otherwise you will "wash away
all luck"
o Don't eat porridge for breakfast, or you will "become poor in the
coming year".

o Don't wash your clothes and wash your hair (on New Year's
Day), or you will "wash your fortune".
o Arguing, crying, and cursing each other are completely taboo
during the New Year, as the Chinese believe that they will perform these acts
throughout the new year.
o Many Chinese people keep the custom of not taking a nap on
New Year's Day because they believe that if they take a nap, they will be lazy and
refuse to work for the whole new year.
o Breaking: New Year's Day should not break bowls, plates, glass,
vases or mirrors. Because if broken, it can lead to money loss and family
separation in the future. If not carefully broken, the debris should be collected and
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wrapped with red paper or cloth, then thrown away on the 5th day of the New
Year. And add “岁岁平安-Sui Sui Ping An” which means safe and healthy every
year.
o Married daughter returns home: If a woman gets married and
lives far away from her husband's parents, she is not allowed to visit her biological
parents on the 1st day of the New Year. Girls are seen as outsiders after marriage.
If they return home on the first day, their parents will suffer poverty. Sometimes,
parents live with their son, and therefore bad luck will also befall women's
brothers.

2. India
2.1 Activities and Foods
a. Decorating homes: 
Indians celebrate Tet by carefully decorating their homes. The most
important action is to burn mannequins. Besides, the Indians also organize folk
games, expression dances. Competition of bow and arrow, asking for fortune of
the god of fortune Lakshmi. The love of the god of love karma is also one of the
meaningful activities.
b. Festivals
 Gudi padwa 
 It is celebrated on Padwa or the first day of Chaitra month.
Maharashtrians make rangoli with colors and flowers in front of their doors. They
also make Gudi or Dhwaja as well which is a cloth or a saree with flowers,
mango, and Neem leaves, garland topped with upturned silver or copper vessels
on their terrace. Gudi is believed to help get rid of evil and invite prosperity and
good luck in the house. To celebrate this day many street cessions, and dancing
festivals are organized within the community.

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 Figure 12: Gudi Padwa
 
Authentic food for Gudi Padwa
On this Lunar new year, Maharashtrians make their traditional food
recipes. They enjoy them with their family including Pooran Poli which is made
of gram dal, sugar, jaggery, and ghee. They also make shrikhand which is made of
sweet hang curd and tastes divine. The more traditional food includes Kothimbir
Vadi, batata vada, Wakhri dal, Kesari Bhat, and many more authentic dishes.

Figure 13: Ring in Gudi Padwa with food glore

 Ugadi
It is celebrated in the southern part of India including Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, and Karnataka. This is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month
which typically falls in April month of the Gregorian calendar. It also falls in the
Tamil month Panguni. On this day people make rangoli with flowers and colors
on the floor which is called Muggulu. People use mango leaves for decorating
their houses, and doors.The significance of this festival Sindeed unique; which
tells that Ugadi marks the arrival of the spring season, and Ugadi also marks the
beginning of the New Era. On this day people worship Lord Vishnu; who is the
creator of Yuga for ages hence it is called Yugadi as well. People from the
southern part of India traditionally worship Lord Vishnu by taking an oil massage
followed by a special bath. And by preparing and sharing special food called
Pachadi, and visiting Hindu or Vishnu temples.

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 Figure 14: Ugadi Festival 2019
Authentic food for Ugadi
The most popular traditional authentic dish that is prepared in houses and
temples on Ugadi is Pachadi. Ugadi Pachadi signifies all six tastes - sweet, salty,
spicy, astringent, and bitter. The other traditional dishes include Poornamoleru. It

is made with a stuffing of chana dal jaggery coated with rice and an urad dal
batter. The other dishes are lemon rice, flavourful tangy rice, curd rice, sweet
Pongal or Sheera, Kesari which is made with Rava, dry fruits, and saffron.

Figure 15: Ugadi food

 
 Cheti Chand
Cheti Chand is celebrated by the Sindhi community in India. They
celebrate it with joy and togetherness. This festival marks the arrival of spring and
harvest in the Sindhi community. It also marks the birth of Jhulelal the Ishta Devta
of Sindhi Hindus. On this day many Sindhis follow the procession and take the
Bahrana Sahib representation of Jhulelal to a nearby lake or river; which consists
of jyot (oil lamp), sugar, cardamom, fruits, flowers, coconuts, and clothes. 

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 Figure 16: Chetichand Festival
Authentic food for Chetichand
Traditional Sindhi food includes Sai bhaji which includes spinach,
fenugreek, chana dal, brinjal, pumpkin, carrot, tomato, onion, ginger, chilies, and
many more authentic spices. Mitho Lolo is made with whole wheat flour, sugar,
cardamom, and dry fruits. Sindhi Kadhi is made with green chilies, cumin seeds,
gram flour,vegetables, tamarind pulp, coriander, and many authentic spices. Dal
Pakwan is one of the most popular yet
traditional recipes. It is made with gram refined flour dry mango powder,
semolina, curry leaves, cumin seeds, and many other spices.

Figure 17: Chetichand Food

 Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri is the start of the Hindu Lunar new year. It is celebrated
for 9 nights and 10 days and comes around April every year. This day starts with
traditional prayers for health, wealth, and prosperity of the family and symbolizes
togetherness. It is celebrated in the central region of India, which covers Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. Every Hindu celebrates this festival
and welcomes the spring season with joy and enthusiasm.

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 Figure 18: India Marks The Beginning Of Chaitra Navratri, Hindu
New Year
  
Authentic food for Chaitra Navratri
On this day many authentic traditional dishes are prepared which include
kheer, Puri, and shrikhand. Somepeople keep fast from this day forward for the
next 9 days. They have fast-friendly food, which includes Sabudana Vada,
coconut laddu, Sabudana khichdi, paneer rolls, and many more.

Figure 19: Chaitra Navratri Food

 Navreh
Navreh is the Kashmiri Lunar New year. People from Kashmir dedicate
this day to their goddess Sharika. It is on the eve of Navreh that the Kulguru of the
pandit family gets an almanac(Nachi Patra or nakshatra Patri), arn illustrated
scroll with a sacred picture of Sharika on it and some sacred verses. Just one day
before Navreh, every Kashmiri pandit in Srinagar visits a sacred spring Vichar
nag, and takes a holy dip in its water to cast off the wintry sloth and impurities.
Late in the evening the women folk get a big thali (metal plate) and fill that up
with rice, dry flowers, fresh flowers, sprouted grass, curd, walnuts a pen, inkpot,
and pen holders. A pot containing little salt is placed on the thali along with silver
and gold coins and a lump of cooked rice, wheat cake, and a small piece of bread
made with rice powder, covered with another metal plate for the night. In the early
morning on new year's day, a boy or a girl gets up at dawn. He or she takes the lid
of the thali to the head of the family and other family members to get a glimpse of
the things they kept on the

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 plate last night. They look into the mirror first thing in the morning. This
signifies a prayer for food, wealth, and knowledge in the coming year.

Figure 20: Navreh Festival

Authentic food for Navreh
Kashmiri food is flavourful, not very common but delightful. Vegetarian
pandits are mostly vegetarian. They make several dishes from Lotus stems known
as Nadru, dum aloo, sweet rice  with paneer and curd.

Figure 21: Navreh Food

 Sajibu Cheiraoba
It is celebrated in the Indian state of Manipur around April by the
followers of the Sanamahism religion. The people of Manipur perform several
rituals on this particular day which include The Meitei, Pangal, and the Meitei.
The day begins with ritual offerings of fruits, vegetables, rice, and other uncooked
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food items to the Meitei deity Lainingthou Sanamahi. Early morning they gather
with their extended family and make authenticlunch. According to tradition, they
all clean their houses, clothes, utensils, and Household items as it signifies the
coming of the spring season and the ending of the winter wave. Married women
present a gift, usually a piece of cloth, to their father or brother before the day of
the festival. This festival is intended to strengthen the bond of love and
brotherhood among family members.

Figure 22: Sajibu Cheiraoba Festival

Authentic food for Sajibu Cheiraoba
During this festival, many authentic Manipuri dishes are prepared
including- Uti. It is a traditional dish consisting of Uti Asangba Thongba (green
Uti) or the classic Uti, Yongchak aloo Eromba with fermented fish,Nga
Thonga( fish curry), Chakhao, cooked with milk, camphor, bay leaves, coconuts,
and dry fruits.

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 Figure 23: Sajibu Cheiraoba Food
 
 
3. In Korea
In South Korea, one of the most important holidays is Lunar New Year. It is
known as Seollal ( 설 날 ) in Korean. “Seol ( 설 )” comes from “ 낯 설 ” , which means
“different”. So we can understand Seollal (설날) in the sense of "new year's strangeness"
or "strange day". In other words, Seollal is also a transition from the old year to the new
year. It still has many echoes of the old mixed with the new, so it feels strange.
3.1. Rituals and traditional methods in Korean’s Lunar New Year
Charye (차례) – Ancestor worshiping ceremony
The first morning of the new year begins with an ancestor worshiping ritual.
This is considered an important ritual to pay respect to ancestors and pray for a peaceful
new year. Family members wear Hanbok and gather in front of the altar to perform this
ritual.
Offering tray for Korean’s Lunar New Year
Everyone in the family loves the foods that have just been consecrated after the
rite. Koreans believe that delicious and well arranged offerings will appease their
ancestors, so the offerings are highly complex. As a result, they take great care when
making offerings. On the altar are roughly 20 different types of foods such as: wild
vegetables, braised ribs Galbijjim (), mixed vermicelli (), pancakes, traditional sweets (),
and so on. The dishes may differ depending on the locale.
The offerings will be arranged differently depending on the location and family.
However, the majority will adhere to the following general rule:
Row 1: Fruit. Red fruit placed in the East, white in the West
Row 2: Sikhye (rice wine) and vegetable dishes
Row 3: Types of soup. Fish soup is placed in the east, beef soup is placed in the
west
Row 4: Baked, steamed or fried dishes. The fish dish is placed in the East. Meat
dishes ordered in the West
Row 5: Rice and soup. Rice is placed on the left side, soup is placed on the
right side, and rice cakes are placed on the left side of the right side

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 Figure 24 : Ancestor worship tray
3.2. Sebae (세배) – New Year's Bow Ceremony
Sebae - the New Year's greeting - is said after receiving the fortune and eating
the feast. This is the moment when the younger generation demonstrates their respect for
their elders by kneeling and presenting presents to them (usually grandparents, parents).
Adults respond with nice wishes or happy new year greetings. Young children will be
rewarded with money or gold, jade, or other items after bowing to greet the New Year
and wish the New Year. This is analogous to the habit of "offering fortunate money" to
"children" during the Vietnamese or Chinese Lunar New Year. "Sebae" is more than just
a bow; it is an important rite in the Korean Lunar New Year.

Figure 25: New Year's Bow Ceremony

3.3. Korean Folk Beliefs in Seollal
Koreans believe that if you sleep on New Year's Eve, the next day, your
eyelashes will be white and your mind will be less clear. Therefore, no one sleeps at this
time. They often burn bamboo sticks in the house to scare away evil spirits. Because it is
said that the explosion of the bamboo stick will scare the demons and run away.
Not only that, they also believe that ghosts will come to earth on New Year's
Eve to steal shoes. These spirits will find shoes that fit their feet, bringing the owner's
good luck for the whole year. For that reason, on New Year's Eve, Koreans often hide
their shoes in the place they consider the safest.
3.4. Korean New Year foods: 
The most important food that is eaten during the Korean Lunar New Year is
Tteokguk or rice cake soup. This soup is made using sliced rice cake. Tteokguk often
also contains some meat and other things such as seaweed. 

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 Figure 26: Tteokguk - Rice cake soup

Traditionally, the act of eating tteokguk at New Year turns you one year
older in Korean. Don’t worry though; you only get one year older if you eat it
over the New Year period, not at other times of the year!
Another common food that is eaten during the Lunar New Year is Jeon.
Jeon is a pancake-like dish that often contains green onions or kimchi. 

Figure 27: Jeon - Pancake-like dish

3.5. Traditional Clothes
Most Koreans wear traditional Hanbok ( 한 복 ) costumes on these days.
They wear Hanbok and perform ancestor worship rituals, and play folk games.
 

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 Figure 28: Hanbok
4. In Singapore        
   The Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year or the
Spring Festival, is without a doubt the most significant occasion in the Chinese
calendar and has historically been a time to honor both traditional deities and
familial ancestors.

     4.1. Food: Yusheng

     For the Lunar New Year, a traditional Chinese salad called Yusheng is
only made once a year. Although the ingredients change, they always include
shredded vegetables (like radish and cucumber), raw fish (salmon or mackerel),
and a mixture of sweet sauces and sesame oil. Each ingredient has a special
meaning that is typically connected to luck and prosperity. For instance, it is
occasionally topped with fried wontons, which stand for gold. Yu sheng eating is
known as Lo Hei, which involves diners simultaneously dipping their chopsticks
into the dish, mixing it up, and flinging its contents as high as they can while
wishing each other luck for the New Year. It can be quite messy, but it can also be
quite enjoyable.
                                                  

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 Figure 29: Yusheng

     4.2. Traditional customs

     One month before the Lunar new year
     The celebrations for the new year begin on the 24th day of the 12th
month of the Chinese lunar calendar, known as Xiaoguonian (little new year). On
this day, household deities are said to present themselves to Yu Huang (Jade
Emperor), the supreme ruler of heaven and earth. The Hearth God or Kitchen
(Gza jun or Zaowang) receives special food offerings like sweet cakes, candied
fruits, and sweet rice dishes in the hopes that he will speak well of the family to
the Jade Emperor. On occasion, rock sugar or honey are put on the statue of the
Kitchen God's mouth. After lighting fireworks to say goodbye to the gods, spring
cleaning can begin.
       Feasting with family
    The heart of Chinese New Year is ultimately a celebration of home and
family, hence gatherings with family and relatives around the dining table are de
rigueur. And nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the tradition of Reunion
Dinner, held on the eve of the new year. Family members rush back home
(sometimes from very far away) to share this one most important meal of the year
with loved ones.
        Pay Respect to Buddha
      Any Chinese temple during Chunjie will have people lighting
incense, giving Buddha oranges or kumquats (symbols of wealth), or perhaps even
receiving blessings from monks. The Thian Hock Keng Temple, also known as
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the "Temple of Heavenly Bliss," is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore
and is situated in Chinatown. A nearby Chinese cultural complex called the
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum houses a museum, a temple, a reference
library, a theater, a tea house, a dining hall where free vegetarian meals are served,
and the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic after which it is named.

                                             Figure 30: Buddhist

temple              
        Greeting the God of Fortune

   Singaporeans have been congregating at the River Hongbao to celebrate

the Chinese New Year since 1987. This boisterous festival lasts for 9 days. Here,
you'll find numerous vendors selling different types of food and handicrafts, as
well as nightly performances with traditional songs, dances, and costumes. Kids
will especially enjoy exploring the illuminated lantern displays, such as Panda
playground and Tiger Mountain, which range from rows of straightforward round,
red hanging lanterns to a massive glowing God of Fortune. The most ideal time to
visit is at night when the lanterns are all lit.

5. In Vietnam
    Lunar New Year in Vietnam is called Tet Holiday – Tet Nguyen Dan,
more commonly known by its shortened name Tet. It is the most important and

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popular holiday and festival in Vietnam. The name Tet Nguyen Dan is Sino-
Vietnamese for Feast of the First Morning.
  Tet Holiday is regarded as the ideal time for family reunions and
homecomings. Vietnamese people visit pagodas and temples and go shopping for
the New Year during Tet. Food, clothing, and home decoration are all among the
products that can be purchased. The Vietnamese consider the Tet Holiday as a
chance to celebrate life after a long, arduous year of work. As a result, people put
aside their problems and concentrate on making the occasion as wonderful as they
can. Tet has special colors and flavors because of the reverence with which
individuals regard it.
 
      5.1. Food
      a. Bánh Chưng (Sticky square cake)
    Bánh Chưng is a traditional food that is made from glutinous rice,
mung bean, and pork, added with many other ingredients. It was created by prince
Lang Lieu of the Hung King dynasty and represents the Earth by being covered in
green leaves. Since Banh Chung can withstand the long days of Vietnamese
weather, it is the main dish for the Tet holiday. Additionally, Banh Chung is
typically kept by families for close to a month at room temperature.
                        

Figure 31: Banh chung (Sticky square cake)

    b. Xôi (Sticky rice)

   Along with Banh Chung, Xoi is one of the main staple foods for the Tet
holiday in Vietnam and plays a significant role in the celebration. It comes in a

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variety of flavors, including Xoi Lac (sticky rice with peanuts), Xoi dau Xanh
(sticky rice with mung beans), and Xoi Gac (sticky rice with a unique fruit called
"gac"). Among these types, xôi gấc is the favorite choice of most people for Tet

because of its special red color – which symbolizes luck and new achievement for
the New Year.
 
                                           Figure 32: Sticky rice
 
 
c. Mứt Tết (Tet Sugar-coated fruit)
Mứt Tết is not a food to serve in a meal during the Tet holiday, but more
like a snack to welcome guests in this special period. This once-in-year mix of
snacks is very large in variety, with so many tastes: ginger, carrot, coconut,
pineapple, pumpkin, lotus seed, star fruit, etc.
 
 5.2. Traditional customs
    Families believe that their Tet activities must involve happiness, joy,
and good luck even though many Vietnamese traditions are based on ancient
cultural beliefs that may seem a little superstitious to some.
a. Costume
Vietnam has its traditional costume — áo dài — a silk tunic with slits on
either side that is worn over pants by both men and women for the New Year.
Vietnamese women love wearing áo dài for photo shoots in beautiful settings.
Golden Autumn days in Hanoi call for photo sessions around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
During Tết (Lunar New Year) you’ll see the dress in all its glory as women wear it
to visit friends and family, and pay tribute at temples and shrines, and then guests
will show up for the reception in simpler but equally colorful designs.
 
                                              

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 Figure 33: Ao Dai
 
b. Visit temples
Most families go to the temple together to pray for good luck, health, and
fortune. Some superstitions include paying off all your debts, cleaning your house
before the new year, and not throwing anything away on New Year's Day, as it's
considered to be getting rid of good luck.

c. Giving Li xi (Lucky money)

The first day of the Tet holiday is for the nuclear family. Children receive
a red envelope containing money from their elders. This tradition is called “mung
tuoi”, which means happy new age, in the north and lì xì in the south. Usually,
children wear their new clothes and give their elders traditional Tet greetings
before receiving the money.
                                        

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 Figure 34: Lucky money
 
d. “Xông nhà”
Vietnamese people never enter a house on the first day without being
invited because they believe that the first visitor a family receives in the year
determines their fortune for the entire year. One of the most significant rituals
during Tet is being the first person to enter the house on Tet Holiday. Vietnamese
folklore holds that if a family experiences good fortune on the first day of the
lunar New Year, the coming year will also be blessed. A person with good morals,
success, and temper is typically a lucky sign for the host family. The following
days are spent with family and friends.
 
       5.3. Decorations
   In the central and southern regions of Vietnam, hoa mai (Ochna
integerrima), hoa đào (cherry blossom), or hoa ban are used to decorate each
home for Tet (in mountain areas). The kumquat tree is a common Tet decoration
for living rooms in the north or center. The family wishes for fertility and
fruitfulness in the upcoming year, which is symbolized by the tree's bright orange
fruits.
Traditionally, people settle old debts and arguments, paint their homes in
preparation for spring, and make a commitment to act politely and work hard in
the upcoming year.
                                         

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 Figure 35: Cherry blossom
 
 
 
V. CONCLUSION
In the manuscript above, we have explored the Lunar New Year - from its
history and legend; given reasons for choosing to explore holidays in 5 countries:
China, India, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam and finally clarify the traditions of 5
countries on holidays. We have scoured, compiled, and rewritten to give the
reader a certain amount of excitement with this topic. We hope that our studies on
the Lunar New Year in different countries can provide knowledge for readers as
well as contribute a small part to the literature on this topic.
 
                           REFERENCES
 
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Chu, S. M. (2015, Feb 19). 8 Things I love about Chinese New Year. Retrieved from
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Team, Z. (2022, Jan 5). Seollal – Tết Hàn Quốc và những điều bạn chưa biết. Retrieved from Zila:
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