The Tet Tree

The first clue that it's Tet is that kumquat trees appear all over the city.  Similar to the Christmas tree, the kumquat tree is the ultimate symbol of the holiday season in Vietnam.  The trees are small (more like shrubs), bushy, and green, and are laden with dozens of bright orange kumquats.  Kumquat trees can be purchased in roadside lots and come in various sizes between two and seven feet tall.  They come with roots attached and are placed inside of white and blue-glazed ceramic planters.  The most typical place to display a Tet tree is on either or both sides of a main entrance or somewhere prominent inside a main room.  Optionally, the kumquat tree may be adorned with Chrismas lights and red/gold ornaments. 

Kumquat tree lots are everywhere!

Kumquat tree shoppers

Transporting a Tet Tree

Sold with roots attached and trimmed to fit into ceramic pots

A large and lovely Kumquat lot

A really big and especially kumquat-y tree outside of a cafe

Our building's kumquat tree with typical ceramic pot, Tet ornaments, and Christmas lights

 

Tet in the City

Officially, Tet (Lunar New Year) is celebrated February 2nd through 4th, but it's Tet in Hanoi for a pretty much the whole week and into the weekend.  In this, Tet is comparable to Christmas in the states, with a general feeling of good will surrounding the nation's (or hemisphere's) most important holiday. 

One special way that Tet is celebrated is through decorations. Like Christmas, Tet decorations start going up in homes and stores at least 2 weeks before the actual holiday.  

Decorations include huge storefronts sponsored by big names like Pepsi and Coke. 

Installation of Coke's Tet display at Vitcom Towers.

Pepsi's Tet display at Vitcom Towers.

Another large storefront Tet display.

 In the parks and around the lakes, the city contributes large Tet displays for public enjoyment.

Gorgeous floral display near the Communist Building.

A 30-foot long floral sidewalk display.  My "panarama" function makes it look curved, but it's actually straight and long.

Tet ornaments dangle 15 feet in the air.  Each ornament is about 2 feet across.

Potted plants are installed all around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Giant party balloons wave above the lake.

Installing party balloons at Hoan Kiem Lake.

Next post:  The modest displays of small stores and homes, including the Tet tree.