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If someone were to ask me, "What is the most memorable aspect of Tet (Vietnamese New Year)?", I think it would probably be "the scents." Familiar scents are deeply ingrained in everyone's consciousness, whether near or far, whether in childhood or old age. Summer brings the fragrant scent of lotus flowers alongside a cup of strong tea; autumn evokes the nostalgic aroma of green rice flakes in the gentle golden sunlight; winter brings the crisp chill of a warm fire with the rich scent of corn and sweet potatoes. And at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, nothing is more poignant than the delicate yet warm fragrance of coriander leaves, heralding the arrival of Tet in the final days of the twelfth lunar month.
To be honest, my childhood as a city child was a little more disadvantaged compared to those of children in the countryside. This disadvantage lay in the lack of stories, games, close connections with nature, or simply the opportunity to experience traditional customs. Therefore, Tet (Lunar New Year) was a precious treasure, a time to spend more time with parents, to travel far beyond the small yard in front of the house, and to do so many things that only Tet offered…
There's nothing more joyful than going to the market with Mom in the last days of the twelfth lunar month! Buying delicious food, getting a couple of new outfits, excitedly choosing red envelopes, and standing absentmindedly beside the bundle of coriander leaves. Why does it have such a refreshing yet warm fragrance? Mom would struggle to carry all the big bags and baskets, while I would always cling tightly to the bundles of coriander leaves, regardless of the mud and coriander flowers clinging to my newly changed clothes.
Memories of the fragrant coriander leaves from childhood are always the same, intoxicating and unforgettable. No matter how different modern life becomes, no matter how many expensive perfumes, soaps, or shower gels are available, no one can forget the scent of those coriander-infused baths. No one knows where or when this custom of bathing with coriander leaves originated, only that every Tet (Lunar New Year) in the Northern Delta region, baskets overflowing with coriander appear in the bustling Tet markets.
The fragrant aroma of coriander leaves is always associated with the afternoons of the 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year's Eve). Once the house is clean and tidy, and the New Year's Eve meal is respectfully placed on the ancestral altar, my mother will light a fire and boil a large pot of coriander leaf water for the whole family to bathe in. Just a few handfuls of thoroughly washed coriander leaves, with the roots intact, boiled in a huge pot of water, is enough to make bathwater for the entire family.
The essential oils from the leaves, fruits, and stems of the perilla plant are gradually released, turning the water a yellowish-brown color and emitting a captivating aroma. While the fresh scent is refreshing, when boiled, it becomes intensely fragrant and warm, awakening all the senses. This aroma also carries a slight spiciness, not only soothing the biting cold of the approaching Tet holiday but also offering a sense of peace after busy and stressful days.
According to ancient beliefs, bathing in coriander leaves on the last day of the year is believed to wash away all worries and misfortunes of the past year with the warm, fragrant water. This herbal bath helps to lighten the body and mind, and is considered by those with a nostalgic inclination as a ritual to prepare oneself for the sacred moment of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.
Not only is coriander significant in terms of customs and traditions, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine, coriander seeds are also a valuable medicinal ingredient. The coriander plant and leaves have a spicy taste and warm nature, promoting blood circulation, relieving colds, detoxifying the body, and are very beneficial for those suffering from nervous exhaustion, depression, and stress. That's why bathing with coriander water leaves everyone feeling refreshed, relaxed, and at ease.
There are things that seem small and simple, yet become unforgettable memories for each person, like the lingering aroma of coriander leaves in a pot, gently touching the consciousness and evoking a sense of simple peace.
Wash away all the bitterness that has accumulated throughout the year.
On the afternoon of the thirtieth day of the Lunar New Year, immersed in fragrant aromas.
