by Mai, age 9, asks Ong Gia Noel do you wear a red suit?, about the Red River, and why Vietnam celebrates both Christmas and Tet
Dear Ong Gia Noel,
My name is Mai and I am 9 years old. I live in Hanoi, Vietnam, where the old quarter streets get strung with lights and paper decorations, and my ba noi always buys me a little candy cane from the street vendors.
First, do you wear a red suit?
Second, a geography question: what river is important to the city of Hanoi?
Third, a school question about my country: why does Vietnam celebrate both Christmas and Tet, the Lunar New Year?
I left you mooncake and lotus tea.
Love, Mai, age 9, Hanoi, Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam
From the Desk of Ong Gia Noel
Dear Mai, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Do you wear a red suit?
I do, red suit and all, one of the most recognizable parts of the whole shared tradition.
What river is important to the city of Hanoi?
The Red River flows along the edge of Hanoi, so named for the reddish silt it carries down from the mountains, and it has shaped the growth and history of the city for a very long time, its banks lit softly as I fly over on Christmas Eve.
Why does Vietnam celebrate both Christmas and Tet, the Lunar New Year?
Tet, the Lunar New Year, is by far Vietnam’s biggest and most important holiday, a time for family reunions and fresh beginnings. Christmas, brought to Vietnam more recently through French colonial history and global culture, has grown into a separate, joyful, mostly secular celebration existing happily alongside Tet.
Giang Sinh vui ve, Mai.
Ho ho ho, Ong Gia Noel
