Xuc Xac Xuc Xe is a practice in ancient Hanoi meaning to ask for New Year’s gifts on the Tet Eve (night of the 30th day of the 12th lunar month). Groups of 2 or 3 boys stopped before the closed door of a trader’s house. They sang the song “Xuc xac xuc xe” (Wishes of Prosperity for the Family) to the rhythm of a meter-long bamboo stalk, which they beat regularly making the coins put inside it tinkle. The owner of the house would half-open his door to slip some coins to the boys.
