Keeping rituals in the new life
Hue Tet today is no longer as intact as before, but also does not lose itself. Many rituals have been simplified to suit the urban rhythm, but the spirit of respecting ancestors and valuing family customs is still a continuous red thread.
The Ong Tao worshiping ceremony, year-end worshiping ceremony, and procession for ancestors are still maintained, although the form is somewhat more compact.
Many Hue families rejuvenate rituals, combining tradition with modern amenities, but still maintain the logic: Tet is to look towards the roots.
It is noteworthy that despite working far away, many Hue people still try to return home during Tet. It is not just a habit but a spiritual need - to find the feeling of belonging in the familiar ritual space.
Simplified but not bland
Today, few families still make all kinds of Tet dishes themselves as before. Tet markets are filled with goods, from industrial jams to regional specialties. However, "soul" dishes such as pickled vegetables, braised meat, and banh tet are still prepared by many Hue families themselves.
Modern Hue Tet cuisine tends to be streamlined, focusing on quality over quantity. Vegetarian feasts still maintain a solemn position, especially in families with Buddhist traditions.
This shows that Hue Tet does not chase after material abundance, but aims for simplicity and balance.
Regarding Tet entertainment, many old games have disappeared in urban areas, but boat racing festivals, Sinh village wrestling, and spring markets are still maintained as "collective memory milestones".
In families, the "xăm hường" game, "bài tới" still appears as a way to extend the traditional Tet atmosphere.
Aesthetic measure and identity
One of the clearest changes of Hue Tet today is the hobby of going to the flower market. The flower market is not only for buying but also for enjoying. Hue people go to the flower market like going to an exhibition, both admiring, choosing, and evaluating each other's aesthetics.
Thanh Tien paper flowers, Tien Non flowers still have their own place, parallel to apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums, orchids imported from many places. That diversity reflects the process of cultural adaptation: Hue is not closed, but also not dissolved.
Hue Tet now has the appearance of a city living with heritage. Tradition is no longer a rigid mold, but has become the foundation for Hue people to choose a Tet celebration that suits them - slow, gentle and profound.
