While other VN expat bloggers raced to post the first articles on the Tết new year season a couple of weeks ago, I will be happy to bring up the rear here with a posting about the presumed end of the Tết season.
Here we are on sixth day of the new lunar year in Việt Nam. Most businesses, except major restaurants or businesses catering to tourists have been closed now for seven days. I was told everyone would go back to work today.
So the business behind our house did start up today, but at 8:30 a.m. in the morning they commemorated the return to work with a drinking party, shouting "Một, hai, ba, yôoooo....." as they drained their glasses of beer.
This is why I love living in Việt Nam. Any excuse for a party. This will be a great place to retire in someday.
I do wonder about the hit to the economy, though. I am told that this is everyone's annual vacation, but when everyone takes it at the same time and businesses close for over a week, that has to add up to a serous loss of productivity.