The holidays, which take place in the middle of February, constitute an occasion of greatest cultural importance in Vietnam.

Vietnamese people, young and old, customarily dress in smart clothes, as they follow the received wisdom that they herald good fortune for the entire New Year by doing so.

The Tet festivity typically starts about half a month prior to the event in urban areas, with shops flamboyantly decorated with red ornaments, bright yellow apricot blossoms and peach flowers, the last two being the symbols of Tet in southern and northern Vietnam respectively.

As part of the general trend, many young residents in Ho Chi Minh City, in formal clothes, have been present in popular local public places and spots of interest.

“When Tet’s near, my friends and me go out and take pictures together ever year,” said Ngoc Thao, 23, a student at the University of Finance–Marketing.

They wear the ao dai, literally translated as “long dress,” which is a type of the Vietnamese traditional two-piece outfit.

The costumes one is likely to catch sight of these days may conform to the traditional design or carry some novel features in its length, sleeves and collars.

“I opt for the modified ao dai because it has traditional and modern qualities combined, and not at least because it’s fitting to the Tet atmosphere,” Ngoc Thao said.

“It’s really wonderful to put on the traditional ao dai and take photos together with apricot or peach flowers on the Tet holidays,” said Thien Huong, 27, living in Tan Binh District.  

The early Tet-welcomers can be seen doing this in groups at various spots around the city: at the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, a destination tourists cannot miss visiting the city; at Nguyen Van Binh Street – the nearby street where visitors can stroll along book booths and savor snacks; at the worship palace of ancient architecture in Binh Thanh District, which is known as Tomb of the Marshal in Ba Chieu; at the Saigon Central Post Office; and in parks.

Some young people even hire a camera crew to have the most beautiful photo album. This costs averagely each person VND3-4 million ($132-176) a day.

A woman wearing the traditional ao dai stands at Tomb of the Marshal in Ba Chieu, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A woman dressed in the modern ao dai poses for photographs in front of the Saigon Central Post Office. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People take a look at the pictures just taken at Tomb of the Marshal in Ba Chieu, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A woman in the traditional ao dai holds a peach branch with the Saigon Central Post Office in the background. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Women in the ao dai at the Tomb of the Marshal in Ba Chieu. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A woman in the short-sleeved transformed ao dai takes selfies with false yellow apricot flowers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Women in the ao dai have an outdoor 'catwalk show' at the park. Photo: Tuoi Tre

People pose for a group photo near the building with terracotta brickwork which is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Foreign visitors take a picture with a Vietnamese mom and her baby in red outside the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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