New Year Day

In Vietnam, we celebrate New Year in February (the day and the month may change, because it depends on Lunar calendar). The Lunar New Year is really the beginning of a year for us. One month before New Year, we prepare everything to celebrate it. At that time of the year is the harvest of many tropical fruits, so we buy a lot of fruits and out on altars to worship our ancestors, gods, and the sky. We usually buy watermelon, grapefruit, coconut, mango, and soursop. These fruits have a good meaning: happiness, fulfillment, richness, and luckiness. This is also time for people to shop. They buy new clothes and new house wares and things to decorate their houses. Flower markets are always crowded. Every New Year, my aunt makes new dresses for my sister and me. We will put on new clothes one day before New Year. On New Year's Eve, people don't sleep. They go to temples or worship at home. Of course there will have a lot of good food. On New Year day, we eat a lot and sometimes we drink. Gambling is allowed in these days. In the other time of the year, gambling is illegal. Older and married people give away little money for kids. This action means adults want kids to have a healthy life and grow up faster. Usually we celebrate New Year for a week, and then we go back to work or school. This is the longest holiday in the year for us to relax, play, stay with families, and enjoy our time.