Chuc Mun Nam Moi - Happy New Year!

 
Tet Eve in Hoi An was a lot of fun. The shops began closing in the afternoon as the excitement of the evening approached. People were displaying the flowers and cumquat trees (like a Christmas tree in their culture) we've seen being sold on the streets. There's also a tradition of making offerings, with homes and businesses setting small tables out front burning incense 


We all went down to the river where all the bars were doing a cracking business.  There were food vendors every few feet, balloons for sale, and old ladies selling luminaries in little paper boats to be set on the river to float.  They had a long pole system to lower them from the bridge to the water.

Thousands gathered around the river banks for the music and festivities. It was a combination of Christmas, Thanks Giving and New Years all rolled into one celebration. People praying and giving thanks, families gathering from all over and anticipation of the moment when all things become new... the strike of 24:00 hours. 

The music from the stage across the river swelled then a first volley of fireworks drew people to the river to cheer at midnight. The fireworks seemed to go for ever, beautiful.
 
We stood in awe as the celebration of Tet officially started. People went back to their homes to greet family, pray, party and start the multi-day celebration. The first day is for immediate family, day two is visiting extended families, day three is visiting teachers (revered in their culture), day four is for friends and everything closes down for a full week of vacation.