These are traditional holidays that are still celebrated in modern days. They play important role in Vietnamese spiritual life.
As Vietnam was (and in a way still is) an agricultural country, the traditional Vietnamese life is in accordance with the rhythm of nature. That is reflected in the traditional holidays of Vietnam which usually mark the changing of seasons. In the past, there were 9 holidays in a year but only five are still commonly kept now. The dates of the holidays are “Lunar Calendar” date so they do not have a fixed date in Gregorian calendar. Apart from the Nguyen Dan, all the traditional holidays are not official holidays.
1. Nguyen Dan (the Lunar New Year holiday):
This is the most important traditional holiday of Vietnam. The word “Nguyen Dan” means “the new morning” implying the first day of the New Year in the Lunar Calendar. In everyday life, people casually call the holiday “Tet”. The holiday welcomes the coming of New Year and its rituals (some of which are abandoned now) are all about securing good fortune and safety for the coming year. Nowadays, the original meaning of the Nguyen Dan holiday is still observed but it gives way to new values. It is to the Vietnamese as the Christmas is to the Westerners. In a time when more and more people work or study away from home, it is first and foremost a time for family gathering. Next, it is a chance for old friends to renew their relationship. However, the joy and enthusiast with which the holiday is celebrated remains the same with time.
2. Thuong Nguyen (the first full moon of a year):
While the Nguyen Dan holiday is a family event, the Thuong Nguyen day (the fifteenth day of the first month of the year) is the time to go on pilgrimages and pay homage to the gods. To the Buddhists, the first full moon of the year coincides with the birthday of the Amitabha Buddha. Therefore, the famous shrines and pagodas are packed in this occasion
3. Doan Ngo (the beginning of summer)
This holiday is held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year. Since diseases and illnesses usually occur in summer, the chief ritual of this holiday is to get rid of the invisible “bugs” which are held to be the cause of bad health. The most popular was is eating fruits (preferably the sour ones) and the “alcoholic rice” (rice fermented by yeast) as they are believed to have medicinal quality. Some people also pick and cure herbs to refill their families' medicine stock.
4. Trung Nguyen (the midyear full moon)
Celebrated on the fifteenth of the seventh month, this holiday has a Buddhist origin. Legend has it that a man after successfully following the teaching of the Buddha came to the underworld to persuade the king of Hell to release his mother who was evil when alive from torment so that she could start a new life. He also prayed that all the spirits suffering in Hell should be released. The king of Hell was so moved that the request was granted. The incident happened in the midyear full moon. As a great good was caused by the devotion of a son towards his mother, filial love is honoured in this holiday.
5. Trung Thu (the mid-autumn full moon)
The holiday marks the time when the moon reaches its fullest beauty. It is also a post-harvest celebration. Small parties are held under the moonlight. The adults admire the beauty of the moon while the children carrying the lanterns visit every house in the neighbourhood and get treated with mooncakes. Since many sweet food and toys are made and games are held for this occasion, this holiday is often referred to as the holiday of children.
References:
Vu, Duong Ninh, "Introduction to Vietnamese culture"
Phan, Ke Binh, "The customs of Vietnam"
