Vietnam’s Tết: A Guide to the Lunar New Year

Vietnam’s Tết: A Guide to the Lunar New Year

category : TRAVEL NEWS

What is Tết?


Tết Nguyên Đán, or simply Tết, is Vietnam’s most significant holiday and a vibrant celebration of Lunar New Year. For tourists, this cultural event offers a unique opportunity to witness time-honored traditions, festive gatherings, and a joyful atmosphere that takes over the entire country. From bustling flower markets to family feasts and colorful street parades, Tết is a time of renewal, gratitude, and connection. In 2025, Tết falls on Wednesday, January 29th, however celebrations typically start the week prior and continue for a few days after.

While the country showcases beautiful traditions, colorful decorations, and vibrant cultural activities, it’s also a time of quiet reflection and family reunions for locals. Many businesses, especially smaller shops and local restaurants, close as people return to their hometowns, making cities feel unusually tranquil.

Hotels and organized tours typically continue operating, but some hidden gems and local attractions may be inaccessible. On the other hand, this quieter atmosphere allows tourists to see a different side of Vietnam and enjoy special Tet festivals, firework displays, and traditional markets.

How the locals celebrate Tết:

1. Preparations before Tết

A highlight of Tết is the exchange of Li Xi (lucky money) in red envelopes. Elders give Li Xi to children and younger relatives to wish them good luck, health, and prosperity. This act represents generosity and symbolizes blessings for the year ahead. Even among friends, neighbors, and colleagues, exchanging Li Xi fosters goodwill and strengthens relationships, adding to the festive spirit of Tết.

Giving special attention to the home is also a priority before Tết, with spring cleaning and decorating being important cultural traditions. Families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make space for good fortune in the new year. This includes dusting, washing, and repairing any damages. Homes are adorned with red and gold decorations symbolizing prosperity and happiness. Common items include red couplets (parallel sentences with blessings), kumquat trees, peach blossoms, or apricot blossoms depending on the region.

2. Family Reunions and Ancestral Worship

Tết is synonymous with family reunions, as Vietnamese people prioritize returning to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones.

Ancestral worship is a central element of Tết. Families prepare offerings such as fruits, flowers, and incense for their ancestral altars to express gratitude and seek blessings. This tradition reflects the deep-rooted respect for family heritage in Vietnamese culture.

3. The eve of Tết (Giao Thừa)

The night before Tết, known as Giao Thừa, holds immense significance. Families conduct a ceremony to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. Offerings are made to the Kitchen Gods, believed to report household affairs to the heavens.

Fireworks displays light up the skies in major cities, symbolizing the driving away of evil spirits and welcoming good fortune. At home, families share prayers and wishes for health, happiness, and success.

4. Visiting relatives and neighbors

Tết is also a time for reinforcing social bonds. Families visit relatives, friends, and neighbors to exchange greetings and well-wishes with phrases like “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” (Happy New Year).

The tradition of the first-footer or “Xông Đất” is particularly important. The first person to enter a house on New Year’s Day is believed to influence the family’s luck for the year. Families often invite someone with a positive and prosperous personality to perform this role.

5. Festive entertainment and cultural activities

Tết celebrations include traditional games like tug-of-war, bamboo swings, and folk singing in rural areas. In cities, there are parades, lion dances, and festivals that showcase Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.

Pagodas and temples are especially busy, as people pray for blessings, good health, and prosperity. The fragrance of incense and the rhythmic sounds of ceremonial drums create a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Street markets and fairs are filled with Tết specialties like handmade crafts, Tết-themed decorations, and regional delicacies, offering tourists a chance to immerse themselves in local traditions.

Conclusion

Tết is a time of renewal, gratitude, and celebration that reflects the essence of Vietnamese culture. From meticulous preparations and ancestral worship to festive reunions and cultural activities, every aspect of Tết embodies values of unity and hope.

For tourists visiting Vietnam during Tết, it’s an opportunity to experience authentic traditions, admire beautiful decorations, and enjoy a slower pace of life. While some businesses may be temporarily closed, the memories created during this magical season will be unforgettable.

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