I consider myself a lucky girl because each year I get to celebrate two New Years! I’m Vietnamese, so I celebrate the Lunar New Year. In Vietnam it’s called Tết. But what you’ve probably heard it most referred to as “Chinese New Year.”
And that, is the reason I am writing this blog post.
It is and has been a pet peeve of mine forever when people call the Lunar New Year, “Chinese New Year!”
For those who don’t know, Lunar New Year is based off of the lunar calendar (based off of the moon’s phases). A lot of people don’t know that and they don’t realize that more than just the Chinese community celebrate this event (and follow this calendar). Please read this for more information about Lunar New Year.
I get it, China has a gigantic population. There’s huge numbers of Chinese people all around the world and often in many towns or cities, the Chinese community is the largest group of Asian people there. So I understand why people automatically say that it’s the Chinese New Year, and maybe aren’t familiar with the more inclusive greeting, but…
Not using Lunar New Year bugs me a lot. It’s not inclusive.
So this post is basically a reminder for everyone that Vietnamese people celebrate “Chinese New Year” too. As do many ethnicities/nations in Southeast Asia. And while even a bunch of Vietnamese people I know refer to the New Year as Chinese New Year because that’s just how they’ve grown up hearing it too (and basically they’ve just given up, lol), I also know I am not alone in this pet peeve. It comes up every single year.
Why wouldn’t you want to use the more inclusive greeting?
Chances are if you talk to me and the phrase “Chinese New Year” comes up in the conversation, I will correct you.
And if that conversation takes place online, I may just direct you to this post too! ;)
Anyway, the year of writing this post, the new year takes place on February 3, 2011!!
It’s the Year of the Rabbit! (My year, the Year of the Snake is in 2013).
So Happy New Year to those who celebrate it and even to those who don’t! :)
I hope the year brings you good luck and lots of happiness!
Linda :)
