On the morning of February 8 (December 29), traffic in front of the entrance gate of Cau Cuong cemetery - the largest people's cemetery in Hai Duong city - was quite congested because of the flow of people and vehicles stopping to buy incense, flowers, and items to visit graves.
Inside the cemetery, hundreds of people are cleaning, repairing, and burning incense at the graves of their ancestors and relatives. Many graves are meticulously cared for by families, decorated with kumquat pots, mini peach trees...
After finishing cleaning and decorating 15 family graves, Mr. Dinh Van Cuong in Han Giang Street (Hai Duong City) and his children and grandchildren respectfully offered incense and prayed to their ancestors, grandparents, and parents. "This is a traditional activity of our family. First, it is to offer prayers to the gods and ask for the family to invite their deceased ancestors, grandparents, parents, and relatives to come home for Tet. Second, it is to educate the children and grandchildren to always respect and be grateful to their parents and guardians," Mr. Cuong shared.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh in Tue Tinh Street (Hai Duong City) also chose to buy a peach blossom branch in full bloom to decorate her grandfather's grave. She said that when he was alive, his grandfather loved his children and grandchildren very much. Like many people, Ms. Linh's grandfather loved to play with peach blossoms during Tet. Therefore, since the day he passed away, every year when she visits his grave on this occasion, she brings a peach blossom branch to offer to the grave.
On the morning of December 29, Mrs. Duong Thi Toan in Phuong Quat village, Lac Long commune (Kinh Mon) and her children and grandchildren also went to visit the graves. She carefully cleaned and decorated each family grave with chrysanthemums and items.
"During Tet, I am busy with many things, but no matter what, I must go to the cemetery to burn incense for my ancestors and deceased relatives. One year, on the 29th of December, I was sick and could not visit the graves, but I felt very sad. On the morning of the 30th of Tet, I woke up early to burn incense for my ancestors, grandparents, and parents, and then came back feeling healthy and happy," Ms. Toan shared.
On the morning of February 7 (December 28), although it was drizzling, it still could not stop the flow of people visiting the graves at Dong Lai village cemetery, Ung Hoe commune (Ninh Giang). The cemetery is usually cold, but today it became bustling and cozy with the smoke of incense and activities imbued with the affection and gratitude of generations of descendants for their ancestors, grandparents, and deceased parents on the occasion of Tet and spring.
Going to visit graves with his family, Mr. Nguyen Tien Phong in Dong Lai village meticulously weeded and cleaned the graves for his grandparents and said: "Every time I go to visit graves during Tet, images and memories of my grandparents in the past come flooding back to my mind. Visiting graves during Tet brings a very special feeling, so every year I call my parents and tell them to wait for me to come back and go together."
Tomb-sweeping during Tet is a beautiful traditional custom, maintained by generations of Vietnamese people in general and Hai Duong people in particular for many generations. This custom shows the morality of "remembering the source of water", the gratitude and appreciation of descendants to their ancestors, grandparents and parents.
Tomb-sweeping during Tet is also an opportunity for families to educate their children about national traditions, always remember to look to their roots, not forget their roots, and live a life of filial piety towards their grandparents and parents. From there, it contributes to perfecting their personality, good morality, and living well in the face of all changes in the new rhythm of life.
GOING STRONGSource
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