Spas and salons are seeing booming business as customers rush their doors in the final hours before the Lunar New Year.
A crowded hair salon
The owner of a hairdressing salon in Can Tho City, named Hung, said books were up four times their normal level, and expects to have taken in over the past several days more than he makes in a month. "We'll work as long as we can on the last day of the year," he said.
Getting new haircut to welcome new year
A manicurist in Long An Province said business had been very brisk. "The demand by women for beauty services is high. We are at double our normal capacity." The principle is that everyone wants to look their best on the first day of the year, a tradition shared among countries in east and southeast Asia, such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, that follow the Lunar calendar.
Male hair salons are also full. But Nguyen Van Ut said that, despite long waiting times, no one was complaining, and he was getting bigger tips.
Small barbershop in rural area also welcomes more customers
Tet is the most important holiday of the year and many people believe their actions and behaviour on the first few days of the new year will affect what happens to them for the rest of the year. They do not visit other people's houses on the first day as the first guest will influence the luck of the household and no one wants to be the bearer of ill fortune. Sweeping the floor or taking out rubbish is taboo in case good luck is lost.
Smokers are hard pressed and should carry their own lighter -- it is considered bad luck to lend fire, which is a symbol of prosperity. Bad luck also attaches to breaking things, fighting or arguing.