Fond New Year memories

“Fatty pork, fermented cabbage and red parallel sentences

Neu trees, fireworks and green square cakes”

Hanoians still have their green square rice cakes, their parallel sentences and peach blossoms… They still have the festive mood in the streets and behind family doors… But the Tet of their memories is a world apart from Tet today. Let’s climb into a time machine and visit the Lunar New Year festivals of years gone by through documentary photos.

In the minds of Hanoians, Tet is the most important event of the year. The Lunar New Year is a sacred time for family reunions and self-reflection. The best and most meaningful moment is when families prepare green square rice cakes together. Different generations gather the main ingredients and mold them into square and neat cakes. Wrapped in dong leaves, the homemade cakes contain well-selected glutinous rice, fatty pork and mung beans. Making these cakes arouses a distinct, indescribable feeling. These square rice cakes convey pride and respect as they are ceremoniously placed on altars to dedicate to the ancestors and the departed.

Although Hanoians’ prefer delicate spring flowers, an integral species is peach blossoms. Either faded or bright pink, blossoms should boast elegant branches and shape, and a fine mix of flowers and buds. For wealthier families, Tet is not the same without a vase of narcissus on ancestral altars and reception tables at Lunar New Year’s Eve. Their sweet perfume heralds an auspicious year.

We have much to tell about the old Lunar New Year customs. Each New Year, these traditions fill our souls with profound memories and strong emotions.