January 23rd, 2012

Lunar New Year. Chinese and Vietnamese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. It marks the start of the new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month and lasts for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. The celebration includes various customs and activities such as family reunions, special feasts with dishes symbolizing good luck and prosperity, the giving of red envelopes (hongbao) containing money for good luck, and elaborate fireworks displays to ward off evil spirits. Homes and streets are decorated with red lanterns and Spring Festival couplets. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is associated with an animal sign, and the festivities often reflect the characteristics of the animal of the year.