Sense of Tet 2020
Xin Chào...! Wishing you a very warm welcome on behalf of all the Hosts at Six Senses Con Dao. We are delighted to host you during this very special time, as we enter the season of celebrating the Lunar New Year, or as it is known in Vietnam – Tet. The period of Tet is the most important event on the Vietnamese calendar, and we are honored to wish you “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” as we welcome the Year of the Rat together in 2020. Our Tet program is filled with experiences, excursions and dining options, to ensure you make the most of this most auspicious time in Vietnam. Besides featuring the daily program, this brochure is intended to guide you through the cultural aspects of Tet, the history and the meaning behind all the symbolism and traditions. Be inspired, be kind, be blessed!
Dominic Allen Scoles General Manager
Nora Feranecz Resort Manager
What is Tết? The History Tết ([Tết˧˥] or [tɜːt˧˥]), or Vietnamese New Year, is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. The word is a shortened form of Tết Nguyên Đán, which is Sino-Vietnamese for “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day”. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Vietnamese calendar, which usually has the date falling in January or February. Vietnamese people celebrate the Lunar New Year annually, which is based on a lunisolar calendar (calculating both the earth’s movement around the sun and the moon around the earth). It takes place from the first day of the first month of the Vietnamese calendar (around late January or early February) until at least the third day. Tết is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. Tết in the three Vietnamese regions can be divided into three periods, known as Tết Niên (penultimate New Year’s Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve), and Tân Niên (the New Year), representing the preparation before Tết, the eve of Tết, and the days of and following Tết, respectively. Along with many other Asian countries, Vietnamese people recognize the Lunar calendar as part of their cultural tradition. It’s a calendar that incorporates a zodiac of twelve animals in rotation. As a new lunar year begins, the “year” of a new animal also begins. On January 25th 2020, we start the Year of the Rat.
The Present Tết Nguyên Đán or more commonly known as Tết, is the first day of the first month of the Vietnamese Lunar calendar (around late January or early February) until the third day of the Lunar calendar. It is the most important holiday and festival in Viet Nam. It marks a time for the family gather; even those who are far away from home return, so that the whole family can celebrate Tết together. Tết is the biggest and most important holiday in Vietnamese culture, almost like New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled into one. It’s a holiday that is based on and in history but has also evolved into a modern celebration that incorporates new elements to produce new traditions. Even though many Vietnamese traditions are based on old cultural beliefs that may strike some as a little superstitious, families believe that their activities during Tết must involve happiness, joy, and good luck. That’s why even before the beginning of Tết, its customary for families to prepare by cleaning and even painting their home in anticipation of spring, old debts should be settled along with any disputes. People pledge to behave nicely and work hard in the New Year. Many will also buy new clothes to usher in the New Year.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 (27/12/2019) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha Yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am - 10:00 am
House hiking [R] [*]
09:00 am - 12:00 pm
Snorkeling trip [R] [*]
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm
Coconut oil making class [R] @Earth Lab
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Con Dao Historical and Prison tour [R] [*]
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Visit organic garden & planting @Sense of Fun
04:00 pm – 07:00 pm
Sunset cruise boat trip [R] [*]
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Cocktail & mocktail class [R] [*] @Elephant Bar
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Chef’s recommendations [*] @By The Beach
08:00 pm
Movie – “The scent of green papaya” [R] @Jungle Cinema
(*) = Chargeable (R) = Reservation required Note: Outdoor experiences are subject to weather conditions.
What is Lì Xì? Lì Xì or Lucky Money is given by Adults to younger people and children in red envelopes. Lucky Money is always given in even denominations since odd numbers are considered bad luck. Not too surprisingly, this is typically a favorite part of Tết for most children.
Why red and yellow are lucky colours? The Vietnamese use vibrant reds and yellows to decorate their homes. These colours will remove bad feelings and substance from their households. This will provide good luck during the transition from the old to the New Year. Yellow represents the soil and is associated with earthliness and centeredness. It is also associated with gold, wealth, and royalty. Red represents prosperity, goodness, happiness. In addition it contains links to strength, power and vitality. It is known to have the power to push evil and bad things away.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 (28/12/2019) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am – 01:00 pm
Local fishing trip [R] [*]
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Island escape boat charter [R] [*]
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm
Singing bowl workshop [R] @Sense of Gathering
02:00 pm - 05:00 pm
Con Dao local life tour [R] [*]
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Recycled glass flower pot @Earth Lab
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Beer & dart [*] @By The Market
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Water polo tournament [R] @Sense of Fun
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Italian inspired [*] @By The Beach
08:00 pm
Movie – “The quiet American 2002”[R] @Jungle Cinema
(*) = Chargeable (R) = Reservation required Note: Outdoor experiences are subject to weather conditions.
Traditional activities during Tết? Families also participate in some of the following: • Family parties. Enjoying Tất Niên (the last meal of the old year) together to share all the sadness, happiness and experiences gained throughout the year. Families take time to review traditions, show respect to elders and strengthen the relationships between family members. • New Year’s Greetings: people wish each other prosperity and luck in new year with traditional greetings are: 1. Chúc mừng năm mới – Happy New Year 2. Cung chúc tân xuân – Gracious wishes of the new spring 3. An khang thịnh vượng - Security, peace, good health, wealth and prosperity 4. Vạn sự như ý - May your wishes come true 5. Sức khỏe dồi dào – Plenty of health 6. Cung hỷ phát tài – Literally “Happy money come to you” 7. Tiền vô như nước – Money keep come like water Traditionally, everyone is one year older. In Vietnamese culture you are 1 year old when you are born and everybody ages by 1 year at Tết. Children would wish their grandparents health and longevity with the greeting Sống lâu trăm tuổi – “Long life over 100 years’’.
Thursday, January 23, 2020 (29/12/2019) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am - 12:00 am
Hiking to Bang beach [R] [*]
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm
Nidra Yoga [*] @Sense of Gathering
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Snorkeling trip [R] [*]
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Beach tennis tournament [R] @Sense of Fun
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Let’s get cracking & turtle talk @Earth Lab
03:00 pm - 05:00 pm
Tet’s traditions: “Di Cho Tet” [R][*] Visiting local Tet’s market – Con Dao flower street
05:00 pm – 06:00 pm
Meditation [R] @Sense of Gathering
05:00 pm – 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Steak night [*] @By The Beach
08:00 pm
Movie – “Indochine 1992” @Jungle Cinema
What does a Lion dance represent? During Táşżt Vietnamese people will watch and enjoy a Lion Dance performance. It is said that the dance stands for good luck, prosperity and health. In South-East Asia, a Lion can be compared to the European Unicorn, but in reality is more of a cross between a Lion and a Dragon. According to legend, it is believed that the Lions strength represents a powerful figure that protects villagers from evil or devil spirits and helps to usher these bad things out. A Lion Dance is accompanied with at least one Laughing Buddha (Jester), who will help to bring more entertainment and fun to the show. The purpose is to make people happy by keeping them smiling and laughing. This helps to make people optimistic and signifies happiness for the New Year.
Friday, January 24, 2020 (30/12/2019) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tet’s Traditions: “Di Cho Tet” [R][*] Visiting local Tet’s market – Con Dao flower street
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Bocce tournament [R] @Sense of Fun
02:00 pm – 04:00 pm
House hiking [R]
02:00 pm - 05:00 pm
Vietnamese Tet and Chung cake making @Elephant Bar
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Tet card making from recycled materials @Earth Lab
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Create Vietnamese cocktails [R] [*] @Elephant Bar
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Lunar New Year Eve dinner [R][*] @By The Market
11:00 pm - 12:30 am
Join the local for New Year Count-down and Firework celebration in town [R]
Traditional Foods during Tết During Tết it is a special occasion for the family to gather together so that they can cook special foods for the coming holiday as normally. There are 3 dishes that can not be missed: 1. Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dầy (in the North) or Bánh Tét (in the South): tightly packed sticky rice with meat and a green bean filling wrapped in banana leaves Bánh Chưng is rectangular – symbolises the Earth Bánh Dầy or Bánh Tét is circular - symbolises the Sky 2. Dưa hành - pickled onion and pickled green cabbage 3. Củ Kiệu - pickled small leeks
Saturday, January 25, 2020 (1/1/2020)
12:30 pm – 01:15 pm
Coconut oil making class [R] @Earth Lab
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R]
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Snorkeling trip [R] [*]
@Sense of Gathering
02:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Giving lucky cookies to kids in town [R]
07:00 am - 11:30 am
Lazy Tet brunch @By the Beach
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Football tournament [R] @Sense of Fun
09:00 am – 09:30 am
Lion Dance show @By The Beach
05:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Meditation [R] @Sense of Gathering
10:00 am – 01:00 pm
Tet’s traditions: “Di Le Chua Dau Nam” [R][*]
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
Visiting Van Son pagoda – Phi Yen temple –
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Slipper lobster & champagne [*] @By The Beach
Con Dao flower street
08:00 pm
Movie – “Cyclo 1995 ” @Jungle Cinema
07:30 am - 08:15 am
Why do Vietnamese people visit the cemetery before Tết Paying homage to one’s ancestors is another important component of Tết as families pray at temples, churches, and pagodas. They will also visit the grave sites of their deceased family and construct altars in their homes containing photographs of their ancestors, then offering them symbolic gifts in the form of food, flowers, and incense. The night before the New Year, families perform a ritual where incense sticks are burned, inviting the spirits of their ancestors to join them in celebration. This is also a time to bid farewell to the family’s Kitchen God (Ong Tao), who then returns to heaven to report on the family’s behaviour in the past year to the Jade Emperor.
Why do Vietnamese people visit a pagoda /temple on Tết? Đi Lễ Chùa – Đi (to go), Lễ (means visiting but also showing respect and sincerity to Buddha and all Deities), Chùa (Temple or Pagoda). No matter how busy Vietnamese people are during Tết: shopping, cleaning, decorating house, cooking, gathering and so on, everyone attempts to burn an incense to wish for the best wishes for the New Year at a Pagoda or Temple. Typical wishes are for health, happiness, success, wealth.
Sunday, January 26, 2020 (02/01/2020) 7:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am – 01:00 pm
Hiking to Dam Tre Bay [R][*]
12:30 pm – 01:15 pm
Singing bowl workshop [R] @Sense of Gathering
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Tet’s traditions: Di Le Chua Dau Nam” by scooter [R][*] Visiting Van Son pagoda – Phi Yen temple – Con Dao flower street
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Herbal tea workshop @Earth Lab
04:00 pm – 04:30 pm
Aqua aerobics [R] @Sense of Fun
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Asian flavour [*] @By The Beach
08:00pm
Movie – “The buffalo boy 2004” [R] @Jungle Cinema
The Year of the Rat According to legend, in the competition held by the Jade Emperor to decide the zodiac animals, the quick-witted rat asked the diligent ox to take him on a ride to cross the river and jumped down before the ox crossed the finish line, so the rat won the race and became the first of the zodiac animals. If you were born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020, you carry the Rat zodiac. Those who carry the Rat zodiac are said to be quick-witted, resourceful and have a very keen observation. 2020 is a Yang Metal Rat year, so visiting a place where Earth element has a strong present can enhance the luck all year round.
Monday, January 27, 2020 (03/01/2020) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha Yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am – 01:00 pm
Local fishing trip [R] [*]
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Snorkeling trip [R] [*]
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Con Dao local life tour [R] [*]
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Sustainable soap workshop @Earth Lab
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Volleyball tournament [R] @Senses of Fun
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Con Dao crab, prawns & local craft beer [*] @By The Market
08:00 pm
Traditional local musician @By The Market
What are the different flowers and fruits used during Tết? On Tết, Vietnamese people decorate their house with Chrysanthemums, Marigolds, Mào Gà or Cockscomb flower. The most important flower groups during this time are Peach flower, Ochna Integerrima, and Marumi. Kumquats are used in different regions of Vietnam. 1. Hoa đào – Peach flower (cherry blossom) – in the northern part of Viet Nam 2. Hoa mai – Ochna flower (yellow blossom) – in the central and southern parts of Viet Nam 3. Marumi kumquat – a symbol for wealth and happiness for the New Year Vietnamese usually offer flower and fruits on their ancestor altar, especially on Tết. There is the Mâm Ngũ Qủa or Five-fruit tray. This is essential during Tết. The Five- fruit Tray symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of Heaven and Earth and the ancestors, and demonstrates their aspiration for a plentiful life. The five fruits should show five different colours and are symbolic of the five basic elements of oriental philosophy: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Clay. In the south of Viet Nam, the five-fruit tray includes custard-apple, coconut, papaya, mango, and cluster figs. In the North fruits are typically Green Banana, Grapefruit, Capsicum (red) or Oranges, Rose-apple (white), and Plums.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (04/01/2020) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha Yoga (Beginner Level) [R]
04:00 pm - 05:00 pm
Beer pong [*] @Sense of Fun
@Sense of Gathering
04:00 pm – 07:00 pm
Sunset cruise boat trip [R][*]
08:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hiking to Bang beach [R][*]
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Bocce tournament [R] @Sense of Fun
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Chef’s recommendations [*] @By The Beach
03:00 pm - 04:15 pm
Natural lip balm workshop [R][*] @Earth Lab
08:00 pm
Movie – “Owl and the sparrow 2007”
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Visit organic garden & plant tree @Earth Lab
@Jungle Cinema
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 (05/01/2020) 07:30 am - 08:15 am
Hatha yoga (Beginner Level) [R] @Sense of Gathering
08:00 am – 10:00 am
House hiking [R] [*]
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Snorkeling trip [R] [*]
12:30 pm – 01:15 pm
Singing bowl workshop [R] @Sense of Gathering
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Con Dao Historical and Prison tour [R] [*]
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Let’s get cracking & turtle talk @Earth Lab
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Football tournament [R]
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
Happy Tet hour [*] @Elephant Bar
06:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Italian inspired [*] @By The Beach
08:00 pm
Movie – “The white silk dress 2006” [R] @Jungle Cinema
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới 2020
Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Town, Con Dao District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, Vietnam T +84 254 3831 222 E reservations-condao@sixsenses.com www.sixsensescondao.com