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You may have noticed the the pots of marigolds inside and outside the shop. Well these are part of the tradition of the Vietnamese New Year that represent life and a bountiful harvest.  Remember that this is Spring in Vietnam and through out Asia so it is a time to look forward to a future harvest. It doesn't matter if that harvest is from growing a crop or working hard in an office. It is a time to throw away the past year and start afresh. A time for renewal, a time to clear your debts and a time for rebirth. It is time for a spring clean.

In Saigon the flowers you will see most will be yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai), cumquat and marigold (hoa cúc) but as the country becomes increasingly affluent more flowers are being brought down from the cooler north of the country. The days before Tết are a wonderful time to wander the streets looking at the displays from the flower sellers. A walk through Le Van Tam Park (Công viên Lê Văn Tám) is just something to behold.

Our tree in our family house in Vietnam (you can see the cumquat in the background)

Three to four days before Tết (now) is the traditional time to organise your flowers and your "Tết Tree". Your "Tết Tree" or "Lucky Money Tree" should be a fruit tree with bountiful blossom or fruit to which you attach Li Xi or Lucky money envelopes. These envelopes are handed out to children at Tết on New years day. The bigger the tree and the bigger the money in the envelopes the bigger your bounty for the year will be.

If you want to read a little more on the traditions of Tết then have a read of this site Vietnamese New Year Traditions.