Russian news agency ITAR-TASS on February 9 published an article on the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) festival written by correspondent Yuri Denisovich from Hanoi.

The article said that similar to Asian countries, Tet is regarded as the nation’s most important event. Vietnamese people welcome Tet by preparing offerings for the dead to remember them.

During Tet, Vietnamese people often go to pagodas to pray for the souls of the dead, and wish every member of the family health, security and prosperity in the New Year, the article added.

It mentioned the legend of the green Chung cake, a food that is ubiquitous during Tet, and described the customs of using peach, apricot, kumquat and bonsai trees to decorate homes on this occasion.

The article concluded that Tet is the occasion for Vietnamese people to visit each other and wish for good things in the 2013 Year of the Snake.

                                                                                                                                                   VNA