IELTS Speaking Part 2,3 - A traditional festival

✨Part 2: A traditional festival

What it is
How it is celebrated
Why it is interesting

Tet, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a significant traditional festival in Vietnam. It is celebrated by the entire nation with great enthusiasm and joy.

During Tet, families gather to honor their ancestors, visit temples, and exchange wishes for a prosperous year ahead. Homes are adorned with colorful decorations, and traditional dishes are prepared and shared among loved ones. Red envelopes containing lucky money are given to children, symbolizing good luck and blessings. Tet is interesting due to its cultural significance and the unity it brings to Vietnamese society. It is a time when people set aside their differences and come together to celebrate their shared heritage. The festival showcases unique customs, such as dragon dances, traditional music performances, and the vibrant display of fireworks. Moreover, Tet provides an opportunity for families to reunite and strengthen bonds. It is a time of forgiveness, gratitude, and reflection. The festive atmosphere, delicious food, and heartfelt celebrations create a sense of joy and togetherness among people of all ages.

In conclusion, Tet is a cherished traditional festival in Vietnam that brings people closer, honors traditions, and promotes cultural identity. Its celebrations and customs make it a fascinating and significant event in Vietnamese culture.

celebrated: /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/ (adjective) - được tôn vinh, được kỷ niệm.
enthusiasm: /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/ (noun) - sự hăng hái, sự nhiệt tình.
ancestors: /ˈænsestərz/ (noun) - tổ tiên, ông bà.
prosperous: /ˈprɑːspərəs/ (adjective) - thịnh vượng, phồn vinh.
envelopes: /ˈɛnvəloʊps/ (noun) - phong bì.
blessings: /ˈblɛsɪŋz/ (noun) - phúc lộc, những điều may mắn.
heritage: /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (noun) - di sản, di sản văn hóa.
vibrant: /ˈvaɪbrənt/ (adjective) - sôi nổi, hăng say.
forgiveness: /fərˈɡɪvnɪs/ (noun) - sự tha thứ, sự miễn thị.
reflection: /rɪˈflɛkʃn/ (noun) - sự phản chiếu, suy nghĩ lại về điều gì đó.
honors: /ˈɑːnərz/ (noun) - danh dự, vinh dự.
promotes: /prəˈmoʊts/ (verb) - thúc đẩy, xúc tiến.

Part 3 ✨What kinds of traditional festivals are popular in Vietnam?

Vietnam has a rich cultural heritage, and traditional festivals play a significant role in the lives of its people. Some popular traditional festivals in Vietnam include Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), and Hung Kings Temple Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương). These festivals often involve vibrant celebrations, traditional rituals, music, dance, food, and community gatherings, showcasing the country's customs, beliefs, and values.

heritage: /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (noun) - di sản, di sản văn hóa.
festivals: /ˈfɛstəvəlz/ (noun) - lễ hội, ngày hội.
involve: /ɪnˈvɑːlv/ (verb) - liên quan, dính líu đến.
rituals: /ˈrɪtʃuəlz/ (noun) - nghi lễ, nghi thức.
gatherings: /ˈɡæðərɪŋz/ (noun) - sự tụ tập, buổi họp mặt.
beliefs: /bɪˈliːfs/ (noun) - niềm tin, tín ngưỡng.

✨Are traditional festivals disappearing?

While modernization and urbanization have led to changes in the ways traditional festivals are celebrated, they continue to hold importance in Vietnamese culture. Traditional festivals have evolved and adapted to contemporary lifestyles, incorporating elements of modernity while preserving their core traditions. To sum it up, even though some aspects of traditional festivals may have been transformed, they still remain integral to Vietnamese identity and are celebrated with enthusiasm and pride.

modernization /ˌmɒdənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun) - hiện đại hóa, cải cách
urbanization /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun) - đô thị hóa
contemporary /kənˈtempərəri/ (adjective) - đương đại, hiện đại
incorporating /ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪtɪŋ/ (verb) - kết hợp, tích hợp
transformed /trænsˈfɔːmd/ (verb) - biến đổi, chuyển đổi
enthusiasm /ɪnˈθjuːziæzm/ (noun) - sự hăng hái, nhiệt huyết.

✨Do young people in Vietnam like traditional festivals? Why?

Young people in Vietnam generally hold a deep appreciation for traditional festivals. Because these festivals provide an opportunity for younger generations to connect with their cultural roots, strengthen family bonds, and experience the customs and traditions of their ancestors. Traditional festivals also offer a sense of belonging and cultural pride, fostering a connection to Vietnamese heritage and identity. Moreover, many young people actively participate in traditional festival activities, such as dragon dances, lantern-making, and traditional games, creating a sense of joy, camaraderie, and cultural continuity.

modernization /ˌmɒdənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (danh từ) - quá trình hiện đại hóa
urbanization /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (danh từ) - quá trình đô thị hóa
contemporary /kənˈtemprəri/ (tính từ) - đương đại, hiện đại
incorporating /ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪtɪŋ/ (động từ) - tích hợp, kết hợp
transformed /trænsˈfɔːmd/ (động từ) - biến đổi, thay đổi
enthusiasm /ɪnˈθjuːziæzəm/ (danh từ) - sự hăng hái, nhiệt tình

✨Are traditional festivals important?

Traditional festivals hold significant importance in Vietnamese culture as they serve as a means of preserving and showcasing the country's rich heritage. They contribute to community cohesion, intergenerational bonding, and the passing down of cultural values and traditions. Traditional festivals provide a platform for collective celebration, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among the Vietnamese people. They also attract tourism and promote cultural exchange, allowing visitors to gain insights into Vietnam's customs, rituals, and folklore.

importance /ɪmˈpɔːtəns/ (noun) - tầm quan trọng, sự quan trọng
preserving /prɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/ (noun) - bảo tồn, bảo quản
showcasing /ˈʃəʊkeɪsɪŋ/ (noun) - trưng bày, giới thiệu
intergenerational /ˌɪntədʒenəˈreɪʃənl/ (adjective) - liên thế hệ, giữa các thế hệ
platform /ˈplætfɔːm/ (noun) - nền tảng, sàn giao dịch
promote /prəˈməʊt/ (verb) - thúc đẩy, quảng bá
insights /ˈɪnsaɪts/ (noun) - cái nhìn sâu sắc, hiểu biết sâu sắc

✨Is music important to traditional festivals?

Music plays a vital role in traditional festivals as it sets the atmosphere, enhances the ceremonial aspects, and facilitates cultural expressions. Traditional musical instruments, such as the “dan bau”, “dan tranh”, and “trong com”, are often used to accompany performances and create rhythmic melodies. Music adds vibrancy, emotional depth, and a sense of cultural authenticity to traditional festivals, reinforcing the connections between participants, rituals, and the cultural significance of the celebrations.

ceremonial /ˌser.əˈmoʊ.ni.əl/ (adj) - nghi thức, lễ nghi
expressions /ɪkˈspreʃ.ənz/ (n) - sự diễn tả, cách diễn đạt
instruments /ˈɪn.strə.mənts/ (n) - nhạc cụ, dụng cụ
rhythmic /ˈrɪð.mɪk/ (adj) - có nhịp điệu, có giai điệu
reinforcing /ˌriː.ɪnˈfɔːrs.ɪŋ/ (adj) - củng cố, tăng cường
participants /pɑːrˈtɪs.ə.pənts/ (n) - những người tham gia

✨How can we preserve traditional festivals?

Preserving traditional festivals requires collective efforts from individuals, communities, and the government. It involves promoting cultural education and awareness among younger generations through school curricula, cultural programs, and community initiatives. The documentation and recording of traditional practices, rituals, and songs can ensure their preservation for future generations. Additionally, the active participation and engagement of local communities, cultural organizations, and the support of the government in organizing and promoting traditional festivals can contribute to their continued relevance and longevity.