The saying “Buy salt at the beginning of the year and buy lime at the end of the year” has been formed from ancient Northern Vietnamese customs. However, probably not everyone understands about its meaning and origin.
On the first day of the year, even right after the New Year’s Eve, many people still keep the habit of buying salt to wish for a lot of luck and prosperity for the new year. On the contrary, on the last day of the year, people buy lime to re-sweep their homes in the hope of preventing any misfortune or implied decoration, refreshing themselves to welcome the new year.
Therefore,on the morning of the 1st day or right after New Year’s Eve, in some provinces and cities in the North, it is noticable that many salt-sellers walking around the village streets and alleys to match with the demand. Simalarly, at temples, pagodas, salt is also sold together with fruit, incense, votive …
In addition to playing an important role only after rice in the daily life and diet of Vietnamese people, salt from the feng-shui point of view also works against defilements, dispels evil spirits, and brings lots of luck.
Moreover, the saltiness of salt is likened to a close affection, strong bond that glue family, friends and social relationships together. It also carries the implications of grandparents, parents who want to remind their children to work hard and accumulate so that at the end of the year they can “buy lime” and build houses.
Usually, Salt is sold in small, pretty and colorful cloth bag or red lucky envelopes. Particularly for business people, salt bags are often displayed at the counter to pray for sucess and money
