Leisure Programmes

Under leisure programmes, there are 2 main topics: festivals and recreation.

Festivals

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Tet

The Lunar Year Festival is the largest festival that takes place on the first day of the lunar year and lasts for the entire week. It is known as Tet Nguyen Dan or just Tet in short. According to Vietnamese traditional customs, Tet is a family-oriented celebration where it is an occasion for family members to meet each other, invite visitors and toast to each other. It is also a time for people to hold light incense in remembrance of the late relatives. On the eve of Tet, people wait for midnight, the sacred moment, to bid farewell to the past year and welcome the New Year.

Nem chua, Vietnamese fermented pork roll

Traditional dishes such as rice cakes are prepared in every households. People wish each other health and happiness during this most sacred celebration in Vietnam.

(Vietnam-Culture, 2009)

Lunar New Year Celebrations

The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in lunar calender. On this day, children throughout the whole of Vietnam would march with their lanterns on hand and eat moon cakes, with the permission from their parents. The Mid-Autumn Festival is therefore also named Children's Festival.

This tradition was first started in China at the beginning of the 8th century. It was then spread to the neighbouring countries. There is a story behind this festival, according to ancient manuscripts.

On the eve of the 15th day in the 8th month, Emperor Duong gazed at the moon, wishing that he could visit the Palace up there. The Emperor's wish was granted by a magician named Dieu Phap Thien. At the Moon Palace, Emperor Duong was welcomed by a Fairy God who prepared a banquet and entertained the Emperor. Hundreds of beautiful fairies danced and sang.

The Emperor enjoyed the performance so much that he wanted to bring the song and dance back to the Imperial Palace. This was how the tradition of gazing at the moon, and watching dance and song became a traditional event on the eve of Mid-Autumn.

(Vietnam-Culture, 2009)

Mid-Autumn Festival, Tet Trung Thu

Recreation

In Vietnam, people watching is a common activity where people sit by the roadsides or in cafes facing the street watching the world go by. Restaurants are nightclubs are popular for those who can afford it. Gambling is another favourite where people buy the national lottery, bet in horse racing, and play cards and mahjong. Adults and children also enjoy betting on cricket fights during rainy seasons, thus many children would catch them for this purpose. Children may also be seen tossing coins, sticks or stones along the streets, many of which gambling is involved.

People watching at roadsides

Vietnamese love going to the movies. Throughout the country, films from all over the world are shown. Some other popular sporting events include soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, hiking, ping pong and tennis.

People in the country often come up with their own leisure activities, using the resources available. Boat races are popular with those along the seashore. In places where elephants are found, they would be used to compete with each other also in the form of a race. Children seldom have fancy toys but they amuse themselves very well. They are always able to find things that interest them. Due to the large number of children around, children often play with each other.

(Offroad Vietnam, n.d.)