The Best Gifts for The third day of Tet Holiday
The third day of Tet Holiday is a special holiday that can be make more memorable with a well thought out gift. We have come up with some unique ideas for gifts for The third day of Tet Holiday along with ways of making the holiday really unique and memorable.
What Is The third day of Tet Holiday
The third day of Tet, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is celebrated in Vietnam and other countries with a significant Vietnamese population. It falls on the third day of the first lunar month in the Vietnamese calendar, which usually occurs in late January or early February. This day holds great importance in Vietnamese culture and is marked by various traditions, rituals, and festivities.
On this day, families gather together for a special breakfast, which typically includes traditional dishes such as bánh chưng (glutinous rice cake), thịt kho tàu (braised pork and eggs), and canh khổ qua (bitter melon soup). These dishes are believed to bring luck, prosperity, and health for the coming year.
After breakfast, many families visit temples and pagodas to pray for good fortune and to pay respects to their ancestors. They offer incense, flowers, and other offerings, and pray for peace, happiness, and protection for their family and loved ones.
One of the highlights of the third day of Tet is the Lion Dance, a traditional performance that is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Lion dance troupes perform in streets, temples, and public spaces, accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs. The movements of the lion are said to imitate the movements of a real lion and are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Another popular activity on the third day of Tet is the dragon dance, which is performed by a team of dancers using a long, colorful dragon puppet. The dragon dance is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and is often performed at festivals, parades, and other special occasions.
In the evening, families and friends gather together for a festive dinner, which includes a variety of traditional dishes such as spring rolls, grilled meats, seafood, and sticky rice. During dinner, families exchange gifts, play games, and enjoy each other’s company.
The third day of Tet is a time for families and communities to come together, to celebrate the start of the new year, and to pray for good fortune and prosperity in the year to come. It is a day filled with joy, laughter, and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Best Gifts For The third day of Tet Holiday
In Vietnam, the third day of Tết, known as “mùng 3 Tết”, is a day dedicated to visiting relatives and friends to extend New Year’s greetings and strengthen family bonds. During these visits, it is customary to exchange gifts as a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and well wishes for the coming year.
In Vietnam, some popular gifts include:
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Lucky money (lì xì): This is a monetary gift given in red envelopes, usually by elders to children and unmarried adults as a blessing for good fortune and prosperity in the new year. The amount of money in the envelope is usually symbolic, with even numbers considered auspicious.
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Fruits: Fruits, particularly those with vibrant colors and auspicious meanings, are often exchanged during Tết visits. Oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits symbolize wealth and prosperity, while dragon fruit and pomelo represent good luck and longevity.
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Sweets and snacks: Traditional Vietnamese sweets and snacks, such as bánh chưng, bánh tét, and mứt tết, are popular gifts during Tết. These treats are often homemade, symbolizing the warmth and love of the giver.
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Tea and coffee: Fine tea and coffee are considered thoughtful gifts, especially for elders and respected friends. Tea represents harmony and longevity, while coffee symbolizes energy and vitality.
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Decorative items: Auspicious decorative items, such as calligraphy paintings, ornaments, and feng shui objects, are also popular gifts during Tết. These items are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy to the recipient’s home or office.
In other countries celebrating the third day of Tết, gift-giving customs may vary. In China, for example, red envelopes filled with money are exchanged, along with gifts of food, clothing, and household items symbolizing good fortune and abundance. In Korea, gifts of food, traditional crafts, and lucky charms are commonly exchanged, representing wishes for happiness, health, and prosperity in the new year.
How To Make The third day of Tet Holiday More Memorable
The third day of Tet, also known as the Day of the Cow, holds immense significance in various cultures across Asia. It is a day dedicated to acknowledging the significance of cattle in agricultural societies and expressing gratitude for their contributions. Here’s how you can make this day special and memorable:
1. Gifts and Presents:
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Vietnam: In Vietnam, the third day of Tet is marked by gift-giving. It is customary to exchange meaningful presents with family members, friends, and neighbors. Popular gifts include lucky money in red envelopes, traditional delicacies like Banh Chung and Banh Tet, and auspicious items such as Buddha statues or calligraphy paintings.
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Korea: In Korea, the third day of Tet is called “Chusa” and is observed as a day of remembrance for ancestors. Koreans visit the graves of their deceased loved ones, offer food and prayers, and pay their respects. It is also an occasion for families to gather and share a special meal.
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China: In China, the third day of Tet is known as “Shangyuan Festival” or “Lantern Festival.” It is a vibrant celebration characterized by colorful lantern displays, riddles written on lanterns, and the eating of yuanxiao, a type of sweet dumpling symbolizing family reunion.
2. Family Gatherings and Festivities:
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Cambodia: In Cambodia, the third day of Tet, called “Sangkranta Bei,” is a time for families to reunite and celebrate. They engage in traditional games, such as tug-of-war, and enjoy feasts featuring dishes like Num Banh Chok, a rice noodle dish with herbs and fish.
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Thailand: In Thailand, the third day of Tet is celebrated as “Wan Awk Phansa,” marking the end of the Buddhist Lent. It is a day of merit-making, where people visit temples to offer food and other donations to monks. It is also a time for joyous processions and cultural performances.
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Laos: In Laos, the third day of Tet, known as “Bun Bang Fai,” is characterized by the launching of colorful rockets. These rockets are believed to carry prayers and offerings to the heavens, seeking good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.
3. Cultural Performances and Festivities:
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Taiwan: In Taiwan, the third day of Tet is known as “Ti Kong Dan,” honoring the Earth God. People engage in rituals and prayers to express gratitude for the Earth’s bounty and seek blessings for a prosperous year. It is also a day for grand cultural performances, including lion dances and traditional music.
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Singapore: In Singapore, the third day of Tet, called “Hari Raya Puasa,” marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims. It is a joyous occasion marked by feasts, family gatherings, and visits to mosques. Traditional dishes like ketupat, a woven rice dumpling, and rendang, a spicy beef dish, are commonly served.
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Malaysia: In Malaysia, the third day of Tet coincides with “Chap Goh Meh,” the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It is a time for people of all ethnicities to come together, enjoying cultural performances, parades, and firework displays. It is also a day for finding love, as young singles participate in matchmaking activities.
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Indonesia: In Indonesia, the third day of Tet is known as “Nyepi,” a day of silence observed by Hindus. During Nyepi, people stay indoors, refrain from all activities, and reflect on the past year. It is a time for spiritual purification and self-reflection.
Celebrating the third day of Tet is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of Asia. Whether exchanging gifts, participating in family gatherings, or witnessing cultural performances, there are countless ways to make this day special and memorable.
