More than a week before the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, Vietnam’s biggest and most important holiday of the year, The Old Quarter of the capital city of Hanoi emanates festive ambience, with its streets bustling with shoppers and markets teeming with flowers, ornamental plants and a slew of red décor. The country will enjoy a week-long Tet holiday, starting February 10, two days before Lunar New Year. Shops on Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter are dressed in red with a variety of traditional decorations, attracting an influx of locals and visitors not only to go shopping but also to enjoy the Tet atmosphere. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Visitors are taking a look at an array of colourful lanterns and other decorative items inside a shop on Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter, downtown Hanoi. Lanterns here are made of plastic, fabric and paper in different shapes with various patterns. Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem district, is becoming more bustling than ever with people flocking to purchase decorations and necessities for upcoming Tet celebrations. Many Vietnamese families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns or calligraphies printed with the wishes of luck, peace and happiness, in front of their homes to hope for a better year to come. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi puts on brilliant red makeover as the Tet (Lunar New Year), the biggest and most important holiday of the year, is just around the corner. The country will enjoy a seven-day Tet holiday, starting February 10, two days before Lunar New Year. Shops on Hang Ma Street are dressed in red with a variety of traditional decorations, attracting an influx of locals and visitors not only to go shopping but also to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Lanterns, red envelops, couplets, silk flowers and calligraphies are among the most sought-after items during the occasion. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
People wearing face masks are shopping on Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem District for Tet decorative items. This year, the Vietnamese handcraft products dominate the décor market. Prices of the decorations slightly dropped against the previous year due to COVID-19. The street is becoming busier than ever with people flocking to purchase decorations and necessities for Tet celebrations. Vietnamese consider red a symbol of luck and prosperity and credit their business success and happiness to divine blessings. Many families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns or calligraphies in front of their homes to hope for a better year to come. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
On Hang Ma street these days, visitors can see a wide range of red decorations on show, such as couplets, envelopes, lanterns, origami “Banh Chung” (square glutinous rice cake traditionally served during the Tet holidays), silk flower branches and other items. The decorative items are often hung on dao (peach) blossoms and kumquat trees in the north, and mai (apricot) blossoms in the south. They are the most popular and signature ornamental plants people use to decorate their houses during Tet. Artificial apricot and peach blossoms are preferred by many families because fresh flowers only last about a week and the cost of fresh branches and trees is rather high. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
For Vietnamese people, no holiday is as significant as Tet. It's an occasion for family reunion, for worshiping the ancestors, for taking a once-a-year rest – and for preserving the old values. Tet celebrates the first day of spring and the beginning of a new year. Anything that happens on the first day is believed to determine an individual or family’s fate for the whole year, and the first visitor of a household is an honour reserved only for close relatives and friends. People also consider Tet a chance to leave behind the troubles of the past year and improve upon the good luck that came their way. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Tet and buffalo-themed Tet decorations are displayed at a store on Hang Ma Street ahead the Year of the Buffalo celebrations. The Lunar New Year marks the change of signs on the zodiac calendar. The year 2020 was the Year of the Rat, the new year means it is now the Year of the Buffalo. This year, the traditional new year falls on February 12 and Vietnamese will enjoy a week-long holiday, starting February 10. It is traditionally an occasion when members of a family, no matter where they were and what they did to earn a living, got together and prayed in front of the ancestral altar, wishing for everyone’s health and happiness. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Tet and buffalo-themed Tet decorations are displayed at a store on Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem district, ahead of the Year of the Buffalo celebrations. Shops are filled with gorgeous shades of red in preparation for the Lunar New Year. Red is the colour of good luck and prosperty, with people wishing each other a year full of happiness and love. The Lunar New Year festival is traditionally an occasion when members of a family, no matter where they were and what they did to earn a living, got together and prayed in front of the ancestral altar, wishing for everyone’s health and happiness. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
On Hang Ma street these days, visitors can see a wide range of red decorations on show, such as couplets, envelopes, lanterns, origami versions of “Banh Chung” and “Banh Tet” (square and cylindrical glutinous rice cakes traditionally served during the Tet holidays), artificial flower branches and other items. The decorative items are often hung on peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and apricot blossoms, which are the most popular ornamental plants Vietnamese people use to decorate their houses during Tet. Pink peach blossoms symbolise happiness, peace, good health and wealth, while yellow apricot flowers with five petals are said to represent peace, pleasure, longevity, convenience, and happiness. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Decorative items with printed “lucky word” calligraphy which signifies people’s wishes and dreams for the new year, such as “Phuc” (Happiness), “Loc” (Wealth), “Tho” (Longevity). Calligraphy is a kind of visual writing arts that first appeared as early as feudal times and reflects Confucianism. In the past, the lucky words were written in Han-Nom script (Chinese characters). Today they are also written in Vietnamese language. For Vietnamese people, Tet is an occasion for family reunions, for worshiping the ancestors, for taking a once-a-year rest – and for preserving the old values. A lot of work, like preparing the festival’s specialties, were done by a lot of people together, and there was the laughter and gaiety. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A mother goes with her child to shop for decorative items on the bustling Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem district. Many families take their kids to the street to explore the festive atmosphere and give the kids a chance to embrace the traditional and cultural values at a young age. Shops on Hang Ma Street these days are dressed in red with a variety of traditional decorations, attracting an influx of locals and visitors not only to go shopping but also to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Lanterns, red envelops, couplets, silk flowers and calligraphies are among the most sought-after items during the occasion. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Miniatures replicating Tet iconic foods including origami versions of “Banh Chung” and “Banh Tet” (square and cylindrical glutinous rice cakes traditionally served during the Lunar New Year holidays) and watermelon are along Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter, together with artificial golden coins, paper fireworks, and peach and apricot blossoms. Red and yellow are the two most prominent colour as they symbolise good fortune, prosperity and wealth. Shops on the street are dressed in red with a variety of traditional decorations, attracting an influx of local people and visitors not only to go shopping but also to enjoy the Tet atmosphere. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter is becoming more bustling than ever with people flocking to purchase decorations and essential items for upcoming Tet celebrations. Vietnamese people consider red a symbol of luck and prosperity and credit their business success and happiness to divine blessings. Many Vietnamese families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns or calligraphies printed with the wishes of luck, peace and happiness, in front of their homes to hope for a better year to come. This year, the country will enjoy a seven-day Tet holiday, starting February 10, two days before Lunar New Year. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
According to Thu Huyen, a shop owner on Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem district, this year, big-size parallel couplets are priced 300,000 – 400,000 VND (13.10 – 17.46 USD) per item, while small strings of golden coins or bamboo-made decorative items are sold at 8,000 – 30,000 VND. The small items are used to decorate Tet’s signature ornamental plants such as pink peach blossoms and kumquat trees in the north, and yellow apricot blossoms in the south. Many families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns, couplets or calligraphies in front of their homes to hope for a better and thriving year to come. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Envelopes for lucky money, an indispensable part of Tet holidays, are on sale at Hang Ma Street. Legend has said that once upon a time evil spirits lived in trees desperate to cause distress to the children on earth. And when the Gods left heaven on New Year’s Eve to accept new tasks assigned by the Jade Emperor, this was an opportunity for the evil spirits to escape and rub the heads of the children making them ill. To combat this, several Gods would disguise themselves as coins and sit next to babies under a piece of red cloth. As the evil spirits approached the Gods would scare them away by becoming bright coins keeping the children safe from evil. As time goes by, giving lucky money became one of the most popular Tet customs. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Shops on the Old Quarter’s Hang Ma Street are dressed in red with a variety of traditional decorations, attracting an influx of locals and visitors not only to go shopping but also to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Vietnamese consider red a symbol of luck and prosperity and credit their business success and happiness to divine blessings. Many families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns or calligraphies in front of their homes to hope for a better year to come. This year, the country will enjoy a seven-day Tet holiday, starting February 10, two days before Lunar New Year. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Many families take their kids to Hang Ma Street to explore the Tet’s festive atmosphere and give them a chance to embrace the traditional and cultural values at a young age. In Vietnam, Tet is typically celebrated for three days with some traditions observed for up to a week. The first day of Tet is usually spent with family, the second day is for visiting friends, and the third day is dedicated to teachers and visiting temples. It’s also the busiest time of the year to be there. Millions of people will be moving throughout the country, returning to their home villages to share reunions with friends and family. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Young people, meanwhile, view the street as an ideal place to snap memorable photos. In Vietnam, Tet celebrates the first day of spring and the beginning of a new year. Tet is typically celebrated for three days with some traditions observed for up to a week. The first day of Tet is usually spent with family, the second day is for visiting friends, and the third day is dedicated to teachers and visiting temples. It's also the busiest time of the year to be there. Millions of people will be moving throughout the country, returning to their home villages to share reunions with friends and family. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Many people, especially the youth, view the street as an ideal place to snap memorable photos, while taking a stroll and looking for unique decorative items. According to a shop owner, this year, big-size parallel couplets are priced 300,000–400,000 VND per item, while small strings of golden coins or bamboo-made decorative items are sold at 8,000–30,000 VND. The small items are used to decorate Tet’s signature ornamental plants – pink peach blossoms and kumquat trees in the north, and yellow apricot blossoms in the south. Many families maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns, couplets or calligraphies in front of their homes to hope for a better year to come. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Many families take their kids to Hang Ma Street to explore the Tet’s festive atmosphere and give them a chance to embrace the traditional and cultural values at a young age. In Vietnam, Tet is typically celebrated for three days with some traditions observed for up to a week. The first day of Tet is usually spent with family, the second day is for visiting friends, and the third day is dedicated to teachers and visiting temples. It's also the busiest time of the year to be there. Millions of people will be moving throughout the country, returning to their home villages to share reunions with friends and family. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A foreigner is taking photos of the bustling Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem district, ahead of Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays. For Vietnamese people, no holiday is as significant as Tet. It's an occasion for family reunions, for worshiping the ancestors, for taking a once-a-year rest – and for preserving the old values. Tet celebrates the first day of spring and the beginning of a new year. Anything that happens on the first day is believed to determine an individual or family’s fate for the whole year, and the first visitor of a household is an honor reserved only for close relatives and friends. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Amidst the growing complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the north, Hanoi’s authorities have set up checkpoints at the entrance of Hang Ma Street where visitors have their body temperature checked and are provided with free hand sanitisers. Visitors are also requested to wear face masks before entering the street in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite that, Hang Ma Street keeps attracting visitors to shop and snap memorable photos on these days before the Year of Bufalo. The street is becoming more bustling than ever with people flocking to purchase decorations and necessities for Tet celebrations. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Amidst the growing complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-COV2 in the north, Hanoi’s authorities have set up checkpoints at the entrance of Hang Ma Street where visitors have their body temperature checked and are provided with free hand sanitisers. Visitors are also requested to wear face masks before entering the street in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite that, Hang Ma Street keeps attracting visitors to shop and snap memorable photos on days before the Year of Buffalo. The street is becoming more bustling than ever with people flocking to purchase decorations and necessities for Tet celebrations. (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
