Tet Holiday Vietnam, locally known as "Tet Nguyen Dan", is one of the most significant and celebrated festivals. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year, bringing families and communities together to usher in a fresh start, express gratitude to ancestors, and wish for a prosperous future. This article delves into the traditions, Tet traditional foods, and some of the best places to experience the magic of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year2024.
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Tet Celebration in Vietnam
1. When is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year 2024?
Vietnamese Lunar New Year, also known as Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet, is the most important festival in Vietnam. It is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the Lunar Calendar (normally January/February in the Western/Gregorius calendar).
In 2024, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year will fall from Saturday, Feb 10th to Wednesday, Feb 14th, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.
However, in reality, the festivities often begin several weeks before the official date, as most families prepare to welcome the new year.
2. Vietnamese Zodiac: What it is?
The Vietnamese lunar calendar operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with an animal. These are the 12 animals of the Vietnamese Zodiac: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, and Pig. 2024 will be the year of the Dragon.
If you were born in the year of the Dragon, your birth year falls on one of the following dates: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, and so on. The Dragon is one of the auspicious signs in the Vietnamese Zodiac, and those born under this sign are often associated with qualities like strength, intelligence, and good fortune.
3. Vietnamese New Year’s traditions
The three-period timeline for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year:
Tất Niên (Days before New Year's Eve)
Giao Thừa (New Year's Eve)
Tết (Days around one week after New Year's Day)
Before New Year's Eve
In the days preceding Lunar New Year's Eve, people participate in a range of activities in the spirit of renewal and prosperity.
Worship the Kitchen God
Though it may not be as well-known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tết Táo Quân, or Kitchen God Day, is equally as significant in Vietnamese culture. The origin of this special day starts from a touching story of three people: Trong Cao, Thi Nhi, and Pham Lang, who became gods after tragic love stories. the moral of the story/ies is that if you live with kindness, good things come to you.
On the 23rd day of December in the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people believe these three gods go to heaven to talk to the Jade Emperor and pray for a great year ahead, then they return to Earth on New Year's Eve to look after everyone.
Therefore, families will prepare offerings, like fruits, candies, sticky rice cakes, and incense, to honor the Kitchen God. After that, they’ll burn the joss package including heaven banknote, incense, Kitchen God joss paper clothing, and more. This activity symbolizes the act of sending the gods back to heaven.
Moreover, Vietnamese people also release live carp into a river or pond as a means of transportation for the Kitchen God to go to heaven.
Clean the house
Weeks prior to Tet, Vietnamese households often do a thorough cleaning of their homes. This practice is rooted in the belief that, by cleaning, they can get rid of the bad luck of the previous year and start a new journey.
Decorate houses and offices
In addition to tidying up, Vietnamese people decorate their homes and offices with various decorations, typically in shades of red or yellow. The most iconic ones are the peach blossom, kumquat tree, orange tree, or yellow apricot blossom.
Get new bills of money
A unique Tet tradition involves getting new bills of money. These new banknotes are not kept for personal use. Instead, they are used to hand out "lucky money" to family members and friends during the New Year. This practice is a symbol of good wishes and blessings for the year ahead, particularly for the younger and elders of the family.
Make Banh Chung
Before New Year's Eve, Vietnamese family members often gather to make a special dish called "Bánh Chưng." It's a square sticky rice cake made by wrapping sticky rice, mung beans, and pork in banana leaves and then boiling it for 10-12 hours over a wood fire.
On New Year’s Eve
Some activities Vietnamese people often do on New Year’s Eve include:
Have a year-end meal
This is the last meal of the year. Family members will gather together, having a special dinner with a lot of delicious dishes such as Banh Chung, braised pork with eggs, boiled chicken, fried spring rolls, bamboo shoot soup, and more.
Watch the Tao Quan TV show
Vietnamese people of all ages love watching "Tao Quan" on TV. This comedy show humorously recaps the significant events of the year of Vietnam in general.
Watch firework shows
Fireworks have long been an integral part of New Year's Eve celebrations in Vietnam. In major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, impressive firework displays light up the night sky with vibrant colors and breathtaking patterns. Families often gather in parks or open spaces to watch these beautiful displays together.
Offer incense to ancestors
Vietnamese people believe in honoring their ancestors. On Vietnamese New Year’s Eve, they burn incense incense at their ancestral altars. This is a sign of gratitude and respect to those who passed away before and a way of seeking their blessings for the year ahead.
First foot (Xông Nhà)
On New Year's Eve, families perform the "Xông nhà" ritual which is a time-standing Vietnamese custom with deep historical roots. The tradition involves the homeowner inviting a successful and happy person (could be a family member, friend,...) to be the first one to step through the door after New Year's Eve. That person is believed to have a good zodiac compatibility to bring good luck, success, and happiness to the family for the year ahead.
New Year’s Days - Tet
Tet starts from the first day of the Lunar Calendar month to the third day at least. Here are some of the most popular things Vietnamese would do on the days following New Year’s Day.
Visit relatives, friends, and give lucky money
During these days, people often wear new clothes and visit their relatives and friends to exchange New Year's greetings. They also give lucky money to children and elders as a sign of good luck and prosperity for the new year.
Buy salt on New Year’s first day
Another tradition is buying salt on the first day of Tet. Salt, in many countries including Vietnam, is associated with the idea of preserving good luck and warding off evil spirits. So, people buy salt at the beginning of the year, hoping their family will stay close and get along well.
Visit pagodas or templates, and ask for couplets from scholars
Additionally, Vietnamese people visit pagodas and temples to pray for a happy new year. They also go there to show their respect and appreciation to Buddha and the Gods who have been protecting them and granting their wishes.
This practice involves asking scholars (Ông Đồ - calligraphy masters) for couplets, which are believed to carry some of the scholar's wisdom acting like a wish that can bring luck to their homes and the lives of their children.
People may request specific calligraphy letters or words, either in Sino-Vietnamese or Vietnamese, that represent their aspirations and dreams for the upcoming year. For instance, they might choose characters like "Phúc" for happiness, "Lộc" for wealth, "Thọ" for longevity, "Đức" for virtue, "Trí" for knowledge, or "Tài" for talent. They serve as constant inspiration for people to strive towards their goals throughout the year, embracing the qualities and values represented by the calligraphy in their daily lives.
Choose a good day to depart
What’s more, Vietnamese people tend to pick a lucky time to depart - Xuat Hanh because they believe that how they start the first day will affect their luck all year. Many ask fortune tellers or use astrology to decide when to leave home, get back to work, or get married.
4. Traditional food for Tet celebration in Vietnam
There is a wide variety of traditional dishes for Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Here are some of the most popular ones.
Banh Chung/Banh Tet: These are perhaps the most iconic Tet foods. Banh Chung is a square-shaped sticky rice cake, filled with mung bean paste and pork, wrapped in banana leaves. Banh Tet is a cylindrical variation of Banh Chung. Both are typically boiled for hours before being served.
Gac sticky rice: A bright red sticky rice dish made with the Gac fruit. It's considered a symbol of luck and good fortune because of its color.
Thit Kho (Braised pork with eggs): The dish features pork simmered in a caramel sauce made from fish sauce and coconut water, along with hard-boiled eggs. It's typically served with white rice.
Gio cha: Also known as Vietnamese ham, it's a steamed pork sausage made from ground lean pork. It's often sliced thinly and served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and fish sauce.
Spring rolls: Fresh spring rolls, filled with a variety of ingredients like shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli, are a popular Tet treat.
Pickled scallion heads: Pickled onions add a tangy and refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of Tet dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Mut Tet: These are candied fruits and seeds, such as candied ginger, lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, coconut, and kumquats. They are usually offered to guests in colorful, decorative trays.
5. Taboos during Vietnamese Tet
There are several rules that you must obey during this holiday to ensure a year filled with luck, happiness, and prosperity:
Do not wear black or white clothing: During Tết, avoid wearing black, white, or dark-colored clothing, as these colors are typically associated with funerals and mourning. Instead, opt for vibrant red attire, symbolizing good luck and happiness.
Do not swear and discuss negative topics: Refrain from swearing, cursing, or engaging in arguments. It's also important to avoid discussing negative topics such as accidents, deaths, or funerals. Keep a positive attitude and put on a smile, even in difficult situations.
Do not sweep or clean: Do not sweep the house or dispose of rubbish on the first day of the new year. Doing so is believed to sweep away luck and benefits. It's customary to leave the cleaning and sweeping until after the initial days of Tết.
Do not mention debts and loans: Avoid asking someone to repay a debt or loan during the early days of the new year. It is believed that doing so could lead to borrowing and repaying money throughout the year. Wait until a few weeks have passed to discuss financial matters.
Avoid “unlucky” foods: If you have specific aspirations or wishes, be mindful of the foods you consume. Squids, duck meat, and shrimp are to be avoided. Squid ink is black, ducks are associated with stupidity, and shrimps move backward, which can be seen as misfortune.
6. Best places to celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year
If you're planning to experience Tet in Vietnam, consider visiting these cities known for their vibrant celebrations.
Hanoi city
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is steeped in history and culture. During Tet, the city comes alive with vibrant flower markets and traditional performances.
Besides, Hanoi is home to famous temples and cultural landmarks such as the Temple of Literature or One Pillar Pagoda. During Tet, these sites host special ceremonies, allowing visitors to watch the traditional practices and connect with the spiritual aspect of the holiday.
Moreover, Hanoi's skyline comes alive with magnificent fireworks displays during the New Year's Eve celebrations. The brilliant bursts of color against the backdrop of the city's historic architecture create a mesmerizing sight.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is another great place to enjoy New Year's Eve. The city has a vibrant nightlife, and there are many rooftop bars and clubs where you can enjoy the countdown party.
The city is also renowned for its nightlife, and Tet is no exception. Here, the celebrations are marked by lively parties, extravagant dinners, creative cocktails, and a bustling atmosphere.
What’s more, you can go to the Nguyen Hue Flower Festival and the Tao Ban Flower Festival. These events transform the city into a vivid tapestry of colors, with bright yellow and orange flower decorations adorning every corner.
Nha Trang City
Nha Trang, located in central coastal Vietnam, is an amazing destination for celebrating the Tet holiday. During Tet, the city hosts various cultural celebrations at the ancient Ponagar Cham Towers. The bustling Dam Market is filled with the festive spirit, where you can shop for traditional holiday items, flowers, and Tet decorations.
Nha Trang's stunning beaches and clear waters provide a perfect place for relaxation and water activities. You can soak up the sun, go snorkeling, and diving, or take boat tours to explore nearby islands. The pleasant weather makes outdoor adventures enjoyable during this time of year.
Conclusion
From the symbolic cleaning rituals to beautiful fireworks displays, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year is filled with meaningful customs and exciting celebrations.
For travelers and expats in Vietnam, joining in the Tet festivities offers an incredible window into Vietnamese culture and community. Join us, meet friendly locals, and make lasting memories. Start planning your Tet Holiday in Vietnam today.
See more:
>> Perfect Travel Plan for One Week in Vietnam
>> Quang Phu Cau Incense Village: A Colorful Place to Visit in Hanoi
>> Traveling to Vietnam with Kids: Things to Know, See and Do
01 Comment
Australia
I was born in the year of Dragon. When I traveled, I saw many Asian favors the year of this mythical creature. They believe that people born in the year of the Dragon are confident, ambitious, charismatic, and strong-willed. Those are also known for their leadership qualities, enthusiasm, and desire for success.
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