“Xong Dat” remains cherished Lunar New Year tradition

That is the meaning of the “Xong dat” (first footing), a Tet tradition in Vietnam, which has been passed down through generations and continued with equal enthusiasm today,

To ensure good luck for the house, the selected “first foot” is normally required to have zodiac signs compatible with the host. He or she should also be successful and content with life. 

The invited guest usually visits the house in the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, bringing with him small gifts for the family, including lucky money in red envelops for children. He greets each member, wishing the old with longevity, businessmen with thriving prosperity, and kids with good academic achievements. 

The host generously welcomes the special guest, offering the family’s best New Year treats, wine or tea. 

Some families choose a member to become the first to enter the house. In this case, the “first foot” normally goes out and comes home after midnight with a spring branch, which represents year-round blessings. 

Many families ask a close friend or relative to carry out this New Year mission. 

Due to the belief, Vietnamese people used to avoid visiting each other in the first morning after New Year’s Eve. 

The most noticeable change to the age-old tradition is that more and more people have begun to think of it as a New Year delight, rather than a sight of future fortune.

The post “Xong Dat” remains cherished Lunar New Year tradition appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Unique Dan Lai ethnic culture in Pu Mat National Park
Pilot training tour attracts customers
Vietnam announces repatriation flight list until the year-end to prevent scams
Methanol poisoning claims one death and six others hospitalized in Bac Giang
Vietnamese artist breathes new soul for bodhi leaves
Outstanding “Ordinary Dream” collections by designer Thuy Nguyen
Nhon Ly’s tourism potential
Six cafes offering best egg coffee in Hanoi
Italian publications on President Ho Chi Minh presented to Ho Chi Minh Museum
Ukrainian DJ finds second home in Vietnam
ASEAN 2020: 17th ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting’s preparatory meeting
ASEAN 2020: ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus Working Group
“Land of roses” in the hearts of Vietnamese people
Foreign media highlights RCEP signing, praises Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship
COVID-19: Without wearing masks, hefty fines given
Grand ceremony marks Vietnam Fatherland Front’s 90th anniversary
Farmers in Phu Yen face huge losses as lobsters died en mass after the floods
Leading local honeymoon destinations revealed
Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19
Vietnam International Travel Mart

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Benefits of ASEAN-USAID Cooperation for People in the Region

Image
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the US Government recently organized a ceremony in Jakarta to review the ASEAN – USAID cooperation with several projects worth more than USD 26 million rolled out in five years, VNA reported. The projects, implemented since 2018, included the ASEAN – USAID Inclusive Growth in ASEAN Through Innovation, Trade and E-commerce (IGNITE), ASEAN – USAID Partnership for Regional Optimisation within the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural Communities (PROSPECT) and ASEAN Policy Implementation projects funded by the USAID and the US Department of State. The United States government, through the USAID, and the ASEAN, celebrated impactful results delivered through ASEAN-U.S. development cooperation totaling more than USD 26 million over the last five years. Source: asean.org More than 100 government officials, policymakers, entrepreneurs, representatives from civil society organizations and the private sector participated to refle...
Read more

Lung Van- the Roof of the Muong Area

Image
Located at an altitude of 1,200m above sea level, Lung Van in Tan Lac District looks like a fairyland amidst white clouds so it has another name, the Cloud Valley. Lung Van is considered “The Roof of Muong Bi,” one of the four major and the most ancient cultural cradles of the Muong ethnics in Hoa Binh Province, including Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang and Muong Dong.    From May to July, Lung Van has hundreds of streams and waterfalls pouring from the peak of mountains, forming imposing  scenery in Lung Van. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Bi trees in the “De dat, De nuoc” (Land and Water) epic of the Muong ethnic people in Lung Van. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP The terraced fields in Lung Van look like “A Giant Mirror of Muong Bi”. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP Lung Van, known as the cloud valley, fascinates any visitor. Photo: Viet Cuong/VNP The M...
Read more

The call from Nam Giang

Image
In his memory, old Zuong Noonh from Pa Rong village, Ta Bhing commune, Nam Giang district 10 years ago was poor. However, everything has changed since the Japanese Foundation for International Development/Relief (FIDR) came to help the Co Tu restore their traditional brocade weaving. It also provided support to the local people by developing community-based tourism under a project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). About 10 years ago, only eight women in Ta Bhing Commune knew how to weave brocade. Then, a traditional brocade weaving cooperative was set up with 40 members. The products are diverse with many beautiful pieces that are of cultural value to foreign tourists. Young Co Tu girls welcome visitors to Pa Xua village. Photo: Thanh Hoa / VNP Co Tu young men look like warriors. Photo: Thanh Hoa / VNP The Tung tung da da dance of the Co Tu. Photo: Thanh Hoa / VNP Co Tu young people perform the Tung tung da da dance. Photo: Tha...
Read more