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As Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) approaches, Phan Thanh Dat, a young photography enthusiast currently living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, clearly feels the difference between the Tet atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City and his hometown in the Mekong Delta. For him, although Saigon is always bustling, vibrant, and full of color, memories of Tet in his hometown remain ever-present, creating an indescribable feeling of nostalgia and longing.
Bringing Tet (Vietnamese New Year) home through the streets.
Tet in Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling time filled with festivals, flower markets, and streets overflowing with the colors of spring. "Saigon has a much more vibrant and crowded Tet atmosphere than the Mekong Delta, with many festivals and flower markets... Although each place has its own unique characteristics, Tet in Ho Chi Minh City and Tet in the Mekong Delta both share very distinctive traditional Vietnamese cultural aspects such as preparing, cleaning, and decorating the house, going to flower markets and Tet markets, worshipping the Kitchen God, and the year-end ceremony...", Dat shared.
The spirit of spring fills the streets of Saigon, where every corner is brightly lit with lights and Tet flowers.
However, the atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City gave him a different feeling, especially since he still had to stay in the city to work during the days leading up to Tet. Seeing people rushing to shop and prepare for the spring festival, Dat felt a sense of excitement as well. Even so, he couldn't help but miss his hometown, where Tet was always prepared in a simple and warm way. "There are memories of Tet from the past that are rarely found in modern life, like wrapping banh tet and banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and making jam. Life in the city is so hectic that people seem to prefer buying things at the market for convenience. As a result, Tet lacks a bit of the family gathering atmosphere," he expressed.
Whenever he thinks of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), Dat never forgets the images of his mother's cooking, such as coconut jam, ginger jam, banh tet (sticky rice cake), and braised pork with eggs. These are not only characteristic dishes of Tet but also symbols of love and family togetherness. His mother would make the jam, while his father would carry pots of marigolds home to display in front of the house. Those scents not only created a warm and cozy Tet atmosphere but also remained a lasting memory in his mind, no matter where he went or what he did.
A bustling scene at Tet markets, where people shop in preparation for the Lunar New Year.
Although Tet in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta share some similarities, Dat also noticed distinct differences in the way preparations are made. People in the Mekong Delta still maintain long-standing traditions such as raising livestock, growing crops, and making Tet cakes themselves. "In the Mekong Delta, people prepare the ingredients themselves, make their own banh tet (sticky rice cakes), Tet jams, and especially, they have the habit of gathering their families to prepare for Tet together," Dat said. For him, the most enjoyable part is going to the Tet market with his mother, carrying bags of groceries, and then returning home to make coconut jam and ginger jam with her.
Saigon residents not only shop, but also prepare everything for a complete Tet holiday.
In recent years, Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in Ho Chi Minh City has undergone a noticeable transformation. The city is not only more vibrant with festive activities, but the Tet atmosphere is also richer and more diverse. Streets are lavishly decorated, and Tet markets offer a wide variety of goods, from fresh flowers to sweets. “Every year, Ho Chi Minh City adds more activities and new festivals, and the decorated streets further enhance the excitement of spring,” Dat said. Particularly noteworthy is the cultural trend of taking photos in traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) during Tet, which has become an indispensable part of the holiday for young people. These photo shoots in vibrant spring-themed settings are not only a trend but also a way for people to preserve beautiful Tet moments.
However, according to Dat, if he wanted to capture the most authentic Tet moments in Ho Chi Minh City, he would choose old apartment buildings, small alleys, and traditional markets. "In these places, the Tet atmosphere is most clearly expressed. The women are busy preparing food, making pickled onions, cakes, and sweets… These familiar sounds create a vibrant and intimate Tet atmosphere," Dat shared.
Every corner of Saigon, from alleyways to old apartment buildings, is imbued with a warm and cozy Tet atmosphere.
Ho Chi Minh City is like a vibrant, bustling, and colorful painting. Streets are filled with lights, Tet markets are crowded, and the atmosphere of family reunion permeates every corner. Despite the relentless pace of life, in these moments, the city offers a warm, familiar feeling, like an invitation to return and welcome a spring full of hope.
