All around the world people are in the midst of commemorating Lunar New year, which runs throughout February. Lunar New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar.
And while many countries refer to the Lunar New Year holiday as ‘Chinese New Year’ it’s actually celebrated in many other Asian countries, including Vietnam and South Korea.
Locally, Amazon Australia is marking the occasion in a number of ways, including special Lucky Red Envelopes for Associates and Lunar New Year decorations across the business.
Melbourne Workplace Health & Safety Coordinator Hong Nguyen shares his experience of the celebrations.
Personally, he celebrates ‘Tết, as Lunar New Year is called in Vietnam.
“A traditional Tết festival in Vietnam can often last for a month,” he explains.
“It is considered an important mark for changes, plans, and progress. In addition, Vietnamese people believe that what they do on the first day of the new year will affect the rest of the year."
One of Hong’s favourite traditions during Tết is the celebrations on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
“On Lunar New Year Eve, we often go out to watch the Tết holiday that is generally organised by local councils,” he says.
The younger folk play games and watch a firework display, “while the elderly and adults stay at home making offerings of pig head, boiled chicken, rice, and salt for outdoor worshiping to the gods.”
And he also gets stuck into a major home overhaul every year, with the Tết holiday also known as ‘house-cleaning festival’!
“A week before the Tết festival, all members of the family clean the house, the garden, the altars, and do Tết decorations,” he explains.
“Broken things will be repaired; old things will be replaced. All those preparations have the same purpose – to be the best to welcome the Lunar New Year festival and to receive luck as well as fortune.”
Hong is delighted that his workplace celebrates and acknowledges Lunar New Year,
“from a growth perspective, in terms of celebrating holidays from all the various members’ religion or beliefs, I feel like Amazon's doing a great job,” he says.
Traditional Vietnamese New Year Wishes & Greetings
Chuc Mung Nam Moi: Happy Vietnam Lunar New Year
An Khang Thinh Vuong: Wish you are always safe and sound, wealthy, and prosperous. Van Su Nhu Y: All your wishes will come true.
Tan Tai Tan Loc: Wish you a new year of fortune.
