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TET-the Vietnamese New Year
Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet is a huge celebration marking the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring. Tet Nguyen Dan means "the first morning of the first day of the new period." In 2006, TET was on January 29. It is the Year of the Dog.
TET in 2007 will be the Year of the Pig. 2008 will be the Year of the Rat; 2009, the buffalo; 2010, the Tiger; 2011,the Cat; 2012, the Dragon; and 2013, the Snake. Animals after that will be: the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and then back to the pig.
Note: Please print the TET activity guide before you go on. It will help guide your quest and provide a place to record your findings. It is in PDF format (click here if you need Acrobat Reader).
Use this web site to aid your search:
Questions:
1. In which hemisphere is Vietnam located?
2. Which country influenced Vietnam for many years?
3. What name does TET stand for and what does this name mean?
4. With what kind of calendar does the TET New Year correspond (match)?
5.TET marks the beginning of what two events?
6. What two pieces of information tell you that marking time by the moon is very important to the Vietnamese?
7. When does the New Year begin on the lunar and the solar calendar?
- Lunar calendar:
- Solar calendar:
8. TET is a huge celebration that lasts for how many days?
9. What are five activities that the Vietnamese do to start the New Year out right?
10. Why is cleaning frowned on during TET?
11. Why is digging and drawing water (getting water from a well or river) not allowed during TET?
12. What kinds of items do people buy at the marketplace the week before TET?
13. What types of activities happen during TET?
14. Whom do the Vietnamese believe will visit them during TET?
15. TET is also considered everyone's birthday. What are children given to celebrate their birthdays?
16. What is a TET tree or tac?
17. The more fruit on the tree, the ________________ for the family.
18. During TET, who is food is offered to first?
19. What kinds of foods do families enjoy during Tet?
Other sources: