Intro - GLinh:

Halloween has become a popular festival in many countries, including Vietnam. However,
not everyone knows the meaning and origin of Halloween.

Halloween is a traditional festival held every year in many countries around the world.
Currently, this festival is quite popular in Vietnam, however not everyone knows what
Halloween is, what day Halloween is, and the meaning and origin of Halloween day.

Origin - PAn, GLinh:

Origin of Halloween

Today's Halloween festival originates from the Celtic people who lived more than 2,000
years ago in the lands that are now England, Ireland and Northern France.

The Celts began their new year on November 1 according to the Gregorian calendar. On
New Year's Eve (October 31), they celebrated a festival called Samhain. This festival signals
the beginning of the cold season, of dark days, and is often associated with the decline and
death of humanity.

The Celts believed that on New Year's Eve, the boundary between the world of the living
and the dead becomes blurred, and the souls of the dead can return to earth, so they often
light fires and wear costumes. ghosts to ward off evil spirits or welcome loved ones "home"
on this festive night.

All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of the ancient Samhain festival, so the
previous evening's festival was renamed All Hallows's Eve and is now known as Halloween.

They brought many different customs to America. But because beliefs are limited and major
religions have relatively strict precepts, the celebration of Halloween has not been popular
among the people. It was not until the 1800s that Halloween became widely known.

Meaning - Bami:
What day is Halloween?

Halloween festival's original name is All Hallows' Eve. In particular, "Hallow" is an Old
English word meaning "holy", and in Scottish, the word "eve" is even (evening) in English,
this word is also shortened to e'en. good een.

Over the centuries, All Hallows' Eve gradually became Halloween and is the official name
known by many people around the world.

Today, Halloween festivals are often widely celebrated around the world, on a large or small
scale depending on the country. But now, the holidays of Halloween no longer have a
religious meaning, but everyone considers it a fun festival.

The typical symbols for this festival are jack-o-lanterns, witches, poisonous apples, scary
ghosts or animals that signal death such as owls and bats. .
Traditional activities - MHùng, PLinh:
1. Trick or treat
Trick or treat is a commonly used saying on Halloween night.

“Trick” originally means to deceive, a mischievous trick

“Treat” is to welcome, treat kindly, and entertain.

People will dress up in costumes of devils then carry pumpkin lanterns, knocking all the
house and saying "Trick or reat." And they often treat them with candy and fruit

2. Dunking
According to custom, the apple is a sacred fruit used to worship the gods.

The most popular game is the competition to get as many apples as possible.

Dunking, also known as apple bobbing, involves apples floating in a bathtub or large basin of
water, and participants must use their teeth to pick up an apple.

3. Carnival
This is the most popular custom on Halloween, especially among children. Common
costumes are costumes like witches, devils, famous cartoon characters or other supernatural
creatures... People can dress up according to their preferences to attend parties and outdoor
activities. Other times like going to a neighbor's house to ask for candy, setting up an
outdoor campfire... The masquerade festival is also popular and spread to Asian countries
and is enthusiastically responded to by young people, not only for children but also for adults
to enthusiastically participate.

4. Tell ghost stories and watch Halloween horror movies

When talking about Halloween, people often think of spirits. Therefore, ghost stories become
even more sinister during the festival night.

If you don't like going out, you can invite friends to gather at home, or watch horror movies
with your family and tell scary ghost stories.

5. Decorate lanterns

The Lantern Festival originates from Irish customs. According to legend, Jack was famous
for his alcoholism and intelligence.

Because he committed many sins, when he died, he could not go to heaven or hell.
Therefore, he had to wander many places looking for a place to stay. The only warmth that
warmed him in the cold was the flickering candle in the pumpkin.

Children often play games of carving pumpkins, potatoes or squash; Then carve the shapes
of faces on it, put candles inside to light it. These lanterns are called “Jack O’Lanterns”.
Images of pumpkins are also decorated on the door and inside the house. This is the
occasion when the house is decorated to create a spooky atmosphere of Halloween.