Hanoi, Jan. 26 -- Vietnam's Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations have been passed down through generations as families across the nation maintain centuries-old customs that mark the country's most important annual holiday.

Family reunion

Vietnamese families gather during Tet holiday, believing it is a time when ancestral spirits unite with the living family under one roof. The New Year's Eve dinner holds special significance as families invite their ancestors' spirits to join the celebration.

Kitchen Gods' farewell

As the legend goes, Ong Cong (Land Genie) is the one in charge of land while Ong Tao (Kitchen Gods), consisting of two males and one female, are those who keep a watch over the family kitchen. They take note of a family's issu...