(VOVworld) - Celebrating the New Year 2016 and Year of the Monkey in Asian culture, the Ministry of Information and Communications recently issued the stamp-set “Year of the Monkey”. Designed by artist Nguyen Du, it depicts cultural aspects of the Vietnamese New Year and reflects good wishes and good luck from the artist to people in all parts of the country and the world.

Tet stamps are signature features of East Asian culture, especially in countries that celebrate the New Year based on Lunar Calendar. Therefore, only some countries in the world issue Tet stamp sets such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam. However, some countries celebrating Tet based on Solar Calendar such as Frane, Canada, Australia and America also publish Tet stamps themed to 12 zodiac signs. This is a special and attractive topic for many countries in the world. Painter Tô Minh Trang is the designer of the “Year of the Monkey” stamp-set 12 years ago: “The Lunar New Year is special in its simple folk characteristics. Unlike China, with their sophisticated techniques and exquisite drawings, Vietnamese Tet stamps are often simpler. We mainly use a folk drawing style with a palette to personalize characters representing the 12 zodiac signs. Each stamp is unique in terms of their spiritual and visual expressions which depict different characteristics of the 12 signs.” 

This year, painter Nguyễn Du of the Vietnam Post Corporation, is responsible for designing a Tet stamp-set themed “Year of the Monkey”. The set includes two samples measuring 37 x 37 millimeters that are worth 3,000 and 10,500VND respectively. Du said:“The theme of traditional Lunar New Year stamps in Vietnam started in the 1960s. Since 1993, Tet stamp-sets have been published annually. A set includes two samples, with or without a block. Blocks of stamps from the edges of the original sheet often include sections of the sheet’s margin, which may have a wide variety of information on the topic. This year’s stamp set is the third series of more than 20 Tet stamp sets”.

The designed stamps must be approved by experts and leading professors for accurate information in every single detail as they can reflect the country’s image. Therefore, it requires a process where the designers seek ideas, search for information and find the most signature features, particularly for special occasions such as the Lunar New Year. Painter Nguyen Du shared:“The idea for the 2016 stamp set was initiated 2 years ago. During this period, I spent a lot of time searching for different resources such as animal magazines and field trips to Cúc Phương National Park and Thủ Lệ Zoo. Through different kinds of monkeys’ appearances, customs and characteristics, I generalized an icon of a monkey that can reflect human prosperity and happiness”.

The first design features a father monkey walking proudly among peach blossoms, promising a new year of health and success. Meanwhile, the second design portrays a mother monkey and her child hugging each other, highlighting love, compassion and the warmth of the family.“The image of the father monkey is always put on the left, and the mother and her child is on the right. The father monkey represents the breadwinner who is willing to encounter difficulties and challenges to protect his family. The mother represents mom-and-son love. When we put the two stamps side by side, it will complete a picture of a monkey family symbolizing the gathering of all Vietnamese families at Tet. It is tradition that whoever they are and wherever they go, they will unite with their family when the New Year comes.”

As one important factor in designing Tet stamps is the folk feature, with the emphasis on the fertility of the rice, the conception of the universe, yin and yang, dynamic and static balance, hot and cold colors, and people’s desire for a healthy and wealthy life are all focused. The Vietnamese traditional Tet characteristics are showcased in two stamps to reflect the artist’s ideal of a cozy Tet:“The background of the stamps reflects Vietnamese cultural features. The main colors used in both stamps are bright yellow and pink, representing the apricot and peach flowers, two iconic blossoms of Vietnamese people at New Year. The appearance of the North and the South icon symbolizes the harmony of unity. Even those who cannot go home at Tet holiday may feel warmer with these miniature artworks.”

Lê Đức Vân is former president of the Viet Stamp Club and has spent more than 60 years collecting stamps. He has all the Tet stamp collections from several countries in the world since 1950, when Japan published a Tet stamp-set for the first time. Van explains why he likes Tet stamps and collects the sets every year:“I often look back to memories of the past. I had pains, I had happiness, I had failures and success. Collecting Tet stamps each year is a way for me to recall the past, to remember my old friends that have passed away, to recall my hardships in the resistance war, and to enjoy my peaceful life now. Besides Tet stamps, I also collect other stamps about major events of the country in that year to easier recall what happened. It’s a good way to gain knowledge, and to preserve meaningful moments in my life."

A stamp not only makes people relaxed after hours of hard work but also helps them explore the beauty behind each stamp, and raise their awareness of preserving cultural values. Thanks to its affordability, educational benefits and historical value, stamp designing and collecting are an art, a passion, a way to communicate, and more. Du again: “We seem to be overwhelmed by the development of digital technology, which leads to the lack of quiet moments to reflect on priceless cultural values. Let’s imagine that a foreign tourist coming to Vietnam for New Year buys a stamp to send to his hometown a postcard with an image of Vietnamese traditional celebrations. I think these cultural publications sometimes can express love and wishes better than words.”

A stamp can reflect the politics, culture, people, economy, and society of a country. The Tet stamps collections from Vietnam Post serves as a way to introduce Vietnam’s Tet.