Tet 2013 Celebrations End

The 9-day Tet 2013 celebrations began on/about Feb 8 and are now just ending on Sunday Feb 17. Of course, Tet "preparations" began WEEKS before Feb 8 involving MANY activities such as: MAJOR house cleaning, buying new clothes to wear during celebrations, cleaning motor bikes so that they are spotless, buying flowers to decorate homes and, of course, preparing many traditional, home-made Vietnamese foods (all very labor-intensive and time consuming)! ALL Vietnamese government offices (like post offices, public utilities, ministry offices) and most private companies (including many restaurants!) have been closed during this period!
Above pic is of a calendar that shows both the Chinese Lunar (1) and Julian (Feb 10) calendar dates for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Flowers around calendar are a traditional Vietnamese bonsai tree that blooms during Tet.
I did not realize it before my friend David (an Indian Tea and Vietnamese Cinnamon Plantations' entrepreneur) told me - Tet is the largest Holiday in the WORLD = celebrated by more people than any other Holiday in the world!
I am VERY thankful that the Phamily enabled me to experience/be an active member in the culture, people, festivities, ancestor worship rituals, and food associated with Tet, which I now know is the largest-celebrated holiday in the world!
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