Xin Chao. Bạn khỏe không độc giả thân mến của tôi? Hello. How are you my Dear Readers? It’s been exactly one month since we last engaged, and although I’ve been away, I’m happy to report a triumphant return to Mỹ, aka America, after a thirteen-day healing journey to the otherworldly land of Viet Nam. From the mountains north of Hanoi surrounding the White Tay village of Mai Chau — pictured beautifully above — to the South China Sea beaches of the central coast, and on down to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the former Saigon and before that Prey Nokor, Viet Nam is one endless, ancient Altar. Gifts were given, offerings offered up, Ceremonies performed, and the blessings back continue on and on and on.
Throughout the ages, Viet people have practiced powerful, enduring rituals, welcoming the Lunar New Year with solemn rites, traditional foods and wholesome fun. Tet is a super sacred time for the Vietnamese, as a massive migration occurs just prior, with millions of people returning to their home and village from around the country and the world. Historically, Tet is considered incomplete without fatty meat, picked cabbage and onions, red couplets, Neu poles for the home altar, firecrackers, and Chung cake, banh chung being the most authentic Vietnamese cake. Rich or poor, all Vietnamese prepare a feast that serves as a New Year’s Eve offering. This is a symbolic invitation for the ancestors to return home and also enjoy traditional dishes, after which their descendants can sense their prescence, feel their support and reap worldly blessings. The modern world may have simplified many traditional Lunar New Year activities, but Tet remains a spiritual constant for Vietnamese people past and present. I was a delighted participant.
I asked my ban, my good friend and the great guide Nguyēn Ba Phuc how to say, “A Healing Journey” in Vietnamese. He’s pretty quick with a joke or the answer to any query, so I was surprised he needed time to figure it out. “Hành Triñh, that is the journey,” he said with throaty confidence. “Hmmmm… the healing journey? Let me think.” We spent the last leg of the trip in the rural countryside amongst the gardens of the town of Cai Lây, celebrating The Year of the Cat at the home of the sweet-hearted Viet nông phu (farmer) Nguyēn Vān Cu, otherwise known as Mr. Haiku. “Làm Lañh, it’s Làm Lañh” Phuc later informed me, as we walked amongst the Water Apple and Dragon Fruit Trees on Haiku’s land “When the cut on the arm goes from being hard and painful to softening and coming together, that is Làm Lañh. When you quarrel with someone, you have the disagreement, but then you make a reconnection and you no longer bicker and are friends again — that is Làm Lañh.” Being blessed to celebrate the New Year, offering prayers and tobacco at the altar of Haiku’s Gai Dinh (family), we’re happy to bring home the spirit of and share stories of Làm Lañh. Thêm sớm (more soon) Chao Tam Biet.