Anthropologists call it ethnocentrism, the act of judging other cultures based on the preconceptions in one’s own. The decision asking its H'Mong residents not to celebrate their traditional New Year festival was taken recently by commune leaders in the northern province of Hoa Binh. The Pa Co Commune People's Committee in Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province, issued an official document last week informing its H'Mong ethnic minority residents that they should relinquish their traditional New Year holiday and instead celebrate the one observed by the majority Kinh people, Tet Nguyen Dan. The decision has been met by surprise among higher authorities and experts. "They did discuss it with us but we didn’t know about the official statement until recently," Ha Thi Hoa, Head of Mai Chau District's Information and Culture Department in Hoa Binh Province, told VnExpress International. The local authorities said that their decision was derived from conclusions drawn at a … [Read more...] about Local authorities’ decision to scrap ethnic minority New Year denounced
How to celebrate chinese new year
Various cultural and arts activities to celebrate Lunar New Year in Hanoi
(Cinet) – Many cultural activities has been held in the capital city of Hanoi to welcome spring and lunar New Year holiday . From January 29 to February 3, a program entitled "Vietnamese Tet" will be held at Hanoi Museum to recreate a space imbued with traditional culture.More than 200 booths will be set-up at the event, introducing traditional handicraft products, specialties, tourist products and ornamental plants. Some folk games and enjoy folk art forms such as ca tru (ceremonial singing), cheo (traditional opera) and chau van (spiritual singing) have been featured. Under the presentations of chef Pham Anh Tuyet and Professor Tran Lam Bien, people also learn how Vietnamese people prepare a traditional feast and how they arrange their altar for the Tet festival. At Temple of Literature, 100 calligraphy works written by well-known calligraphers will be organised by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism from February 2 to 15. "Back to Origins" is the theme … [Read more...] about Various cultural and arts activities to celebrate Lunar New Year in Hanoi
Luar New Year Festival is a special event in Vietnam, say foreigners
(CPV)- More and more foreigners chose Vietnam as a place to live and work, most of them share the view that the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) is very special. Reporter of the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper interviewed Mr. I Nyoman Gurnitha, Cultural Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Koichi Takano, Deputy Chief Representative of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Hanoi Representative Office, to find their view on Lunar New Year Festival in Vietnam. Reporter: How many time do you enjoy Lunar New Year Festival in Vietnam? Mr. Koichi Takano: This is my fourth time to enjoy Lunar New Year. Mr. I Nyoman Gurnitha: I experienced one, last year and this coming lunar new year will be the second one. Reporter: How do you feel about Lunar New Year Festival in Vietnam?Mr. Koichi Takano: I can feel how it is important to celebrate with family, relatives and friend. It makes people feel and remind their culture, tradition, and legacy. Mr. I Nyoman Gurnitha: … [Read more...] about Luar New Year Festival is a special event in Vietnam, say foreigners
Celebrating the new year with a taste of the past
Customers crowded into the Tan Hoang Huong bakery in Santa Ana several days before the lunar new year. Gifts of candies and dried fruit wrapped in red cellophane lined the walls. And the sweet fragrance of banh chung, rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with mung beans and pork belly, filled the air. Ailinh Nguyen had already picked up nine banh chung that she planned to give to her parents and friends, then realized she wanted one more for herself in time for Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year. So she drove from her home in Mission Viejo back to the bakery Thursday afternoon and squealed with delight as she snapped up the last cake on the counter. "During Tet, you have to eat banh chung because it's tradition," Nguyen said. "I love the taste of banh chung, but to me, [it] tastes more tasteful during Tet." The lunar new year, which was celebrated Sunday, is regarded as the most important cultural holiday among Vietnamese, Chinese and some Koreans. This year they are … [Read more...] about Celebrating the new year with a taste of the past
Lunar New Year is a very busy, family-focused holiday for people in Vietnam
(CPV) - There are many foreigners in Vietnam over the Lunar New Year. How do they feel about this event in Vietnam? Reporter of the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper interviewed Mr. Stephen Cooper from Scotland, Mr. Steven Groff and Mr. James Rhodes from the United States on this issue. Reporter: How long have you been in Vietnam? Mr. Stephen Cooper: Nine and a half years Mr. Steven Lamar Groff: Over six years. Mr. James Rhodes: I have been to Vietnam 13 times, including the war years. Reporter: Have you ever enjoyed the Lunar New Year celebration before this in Vietnam? Mr. Stephen Cooper: Yes Mr. Steven Lamar Groff: Yes Mr. James Rhodes: Yes, the last one was 2010. Reporter: How many times have you celebrated Lunar New Year in Vietnam? Mr. Stephen Cooper: Three or four Mr. Steven Lamar Groff: I've been in Vietnam for Tet five years Mr. James Rhodes: Just two Reporter: How do you feel when spending Lunar New Year in Vietnam? Mr. … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year is a very busy, family-focused holiday for people in Vietnam