When we were about to step out of the house, Noey looked at me and stopped.

- No goodbye kiss, nor hug for you today.
- What the…? What do you mean?
- You’re wearing a red shirt: you’re a commie.
- But… communists don’t even wear red shirts…

She pauses.

Then suddenly:

- Ooooooh! Today is New Year’s Day!!! That’s why you’re wearing red!
- Mmmh… like I do every year on Tết Nguyên Đán.

In Noey’s defence she is Lao, not Viet. In Lao culture the colour red does not have this strong an association with happiness and good fortune; and on top of that their New Year’s Day is in mid-April.

I still did not get my kiss, though, and I will have to make sure I get it tonight when back home… In the meantime, I wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!

May the year of the dragon bring you happiness, good health and prosperity!
Chúc mừng năm mới !