According to the dictionary of the author Nguyen Van Khon, "phong tuc" (custom) is "a common habit of the majority of people which has established into an unchanged mould". Customs contain all aspects of life and society. Each country has its own distinct customs; and in a country, each region also has its private customs. Therefore, customs have become the common codes and are engraved in the minds of the inhabitants. In the traditional culture of Vietnam, many fine and exquisite customs and habits relating to human morality and rules in the Vietnamese society.
Time passing by, these customs and habits have some moderations in order to adjust with the modern life but they are still always indispensable in life. For that reason, learning about the customs and lifestyle of Vietnamese residents is always attractive to foreigners.
Wedding party is a cultural custom of marriage in order to inform widely about the acceptance of the society and both families on the marriage of that couple. "Hon" infers the girl's parents; on the other hand, "nhan" infers the boys' family. Therefore, "hon nhan" is an important event of the two families.
A couple loving each other, after a long time of learning and comprehending the partner, will go on to arrange a betrothal ceremony with the permission of parents of both parties. After a period of time, about three or five months later, the boy’s family will choose a good day to celebrate their child’s wedding party. Before the wedding rites time, there is another ceremony called “Visiting daughter-in-law and her parents rites”; this happens simply and there are only a matchmaker and the groom’s parents.
Tet festival of Kinh people is a perfect combination of rites of Buddhism and ancestors' religion. It is up to each family and their timing schedule for these rites to keep changing and being modified a bit, however, all rites are run in accordance with lunar days.
Giving money on the occasion of New Year or festivals is a popular custom in East Asian countries. This custom has also been much popular in Vietnam for generations on the occasion of lunar new year which is named "li xi" custom.
According to the Vietnamese, good things during very first days of a lunar new year will definitely bring about an entire good year to their family and country with peace, prosperity and happiness.
