When Vietnamese people celebrate Tet, they say "an Tet" - literally "eat the Lunar New Year." During the festivities, which traditionally last a full month in Vietnam, food is indeed a major focus.
But people actually take in the holiday with all their being. Tet is the most important event of the year, symbolizing rebirth, family and relaxation. It's like Christmas, New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving and Rosh Hashanah all bundled together.
The anticipation and excitement can be intense. Many Vietnamese living overseas return to Vietnam to spend Tet with family and to pay respect to elders and ancestors.
Wherever Vietnamese people are during this time of the year, they're apt to be super busy in the days leading up to the first day of the New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan. They clean their homes and then decorate them, particularly with flowering branches of yellow hoa mai or pink hoa dao, which are similar to delicate apricot, peach and quince blossoms. Showy pots of yellow chrysanthemums are displayed, too.
To get in on the floral action, I usually head to Grand Century Mall at Story Road and McLaughlin Avenue in San Jose about a week before Tet, which falls this year on Thursday, when the Year of the Rat begins. The brisk little flower market outside the mall is a fun place to browse and buy. (If you go, know that it's cash only.)
more info->San Jose Mercury News - Food takes center stage at Tet:
ed note: I'm planning on visiting the flower market/mall today Weds
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