Tết holiday marks the transition from the last day of the old year to the first day of the new year. It is one of the most important traditional festivals in Vietnamese culture. To ensure prosperity for the whole year, it is advised not to have three types of fruits on your table during the New Year’s Eve and make sure not to forget five types of fruits for a smooth and prosperous new year.
Three types of fruits to avoid on New Year’s Eve
+ Pear
Like apples, pears are delicious and nutritious fruits with a sweet and cool taste, which can quench thirst and promote good health. However, during the New Year, people tend to avoid this fruit because it symbolizes loneliness and separation. “Chia ly” means “separation” in Vietnamese, which is not suitable for a reunion occasion like New Year’s Eve.
+ Peach
Many people think that buying peaches for the New Year seems luxurious and high-class. However, they are not aware that peaches are prohibited during the Lunar New Year because “dao” (peach) and “tau” (run away) are homophones in Chinese, implying “running away.” Therefore, this fruit should be avoided during the New Year, especially not to be placed on the traditional five-fruit tray.
+ Durian
Durian is a fruit that many people love to eat, and it is quite expensive. It can be considered a fruit of wealth and fortune. However, it is not suitable to have it on the table during New Year’s Eve. Firstly, its name “sau rieng” means “sadness” and secondly, its unique and strong smell. Some people might find it irresistible, but some others might feel repulsive towards it. Therefore, it’s better to avoid this fruit during the important reunion occasion.
Five lucky fruits for New Year’s Eve
+ Orange
Oranges are sweet, delicious, and refreshing fruits. The essential oil of oranges brings a sense of freshness. Oranges are yellow, symbolizing good fortune and wealth. In Vietnamese, “cam” is homonymous with “good luck,” so eating oranges during the New Year implies luck and good fortune.
+ Banana
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits worldwide and an indispensable part of Vietnamese cuisine. It is believed that bananas can release happiness hormones, so eating bananas brings joy and goodness. In Vietnamese culture, “chuoi” (banana) sounds similar to “tai loc” (money luck) and “kho bau” (treasure). The yellow color of bananas is also associated with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
+ Sugarcane
In many places, sugarcane is considered a symbol of wealth. Each stalk of sugarcane represents gradual progress, becoming better with each year, bringing more wealth and good fortune.
+ Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is the most suitable fruit to eat during the Year of the Dragon. Its shape and scales resemble a dragon, and its red color symbolizes a “red and hot” new year, which means “healthy and abundant.”
+ Cherry tomato
Cherry tomatoes symbolize “smoothness in everything,” “good things coming in pairs,” “everything being fine,” and “the world being safe.” Cherry tomatoes are also known as little red fruits, not only with bright colors and beautiful shapes but also sweet, delicious, and nutritious.