Everything Relating To Vietnam Lunar New Year Traditions

By Jenna Jolie

One of the most significant and popular celebrations in Vietnam is Tet. The meaning of New Year in Vietnamese is “Tet Nguyen Dan”, also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the Vietnamese New Year, or Tet Holiday. Tet Holiday is a chance for the family to reunite after a long year of working. Additionally, it highlights a number of distinctive religions, beliefs, and cultural aspects that you should take notice of while traveling in Vietnam. According to the Vietnamese lunar calendar, this special festival - Tet - begins at the start of a new year.

Now, continue reading to explore Vietnam's Lunar New Year traditions.

Vietnam lunar new year traditions.

1. What Is “Tet” In Vietnam?

The complete name of Tet Vietnam is Tet Nguyen Dan, a day set aside for Vietnamese people to express gratitude to the gods for spring's coming, which follows a long winter. Tet is a special time for family members to gather and celebrate the new beginning of a new year, express wishes for happiness and prosperity, and bid farewell to the previous one. People make pilgrimages to pagodas and temples during this time. 

Tet celebration in Vietnam is mentioned as beginning on the first day of the first lunar month, which is at the end of January or the beginning of February, and lasting at least three days. Vietnamese people cook traditional holiday fare and clean their homes in preparation for Tet. Many practices are observed during Tet, including visiting relatives, neighbors, and friends on the first day of the new year, doing ancestral rituals, sending New Year's wishes and giving red envelopes to youngsters and the elderly, and launching a business.

2. How Is The Tet Celebration In Vietnam?

Vietnamese people prepare far in advance of Tet since it is significant to their religious beliefs. People spend a few days cleaning the house, polishing all the furniture, and even repainting and decorating the house with kumquat trees, peach branches, and a variety of vibrant flowers. According to Vietnamese people, this is a way to get rid of the bad luck of the previous year, welcoming a fresh new year upcoming. A shrine dedicated to the ancestors is tastefully embellished with a tray of five fruits, votive papers, and several religious practices. Everyone purchases new clothing and footwear for New Year's Day wear, especially for kids.

Tet celebration in Vietnam starts one or two weeks before the event. The typical mood leading up to Tet is one of shopping, home decoration, cooking traditional Tet meals, and waiting for family members to come home. Parents often buy their kids new clothes to ensure they have new clothes for the new year. The most interesting fact is that people try to pay off their debts in advance of Tet to avoid unlucky things that may happen and wish for a prosperous year. 

People will cheerfully welcome the new year on New Year's Eve in Vietnam, which falls between 24 and 1 on the lunar calendar's 30th and 1st days. To ring in the new year, a large population will perform New Year's Eve rituals, see fireworks, attend church or other religious institutions, or assemble in crowded public spaces.

On the first day of the Vietnam lunar new year, Vietnamese people traditionally visit their grandparents, parents, and paternal relatives to wish them a Happy New Year. On the second day, people gather at one of their relative’s houses and enjoy special foods for Tet such as Banh Chung, or pickled onions. The third day is wishing the new year to the teachers who taught them. They start sending their friends and coworkers New Year's wishes on the fourth, or they start going out in the spring and traveling more easily. Vietnamese will participate in various activities during the Traditional New Year to wish the coming year luck, happiness, and prosperity. For example, traveling to harvest fortune, leaving on an auspicious day, beginning a vocation, donating lucky money, or celebrating each other's ages are all examples of auspicious actions.

Tet celebration in Vietnam

3. Traditional Foods On Tet Festival In Vietnam

The most distinctive and varied Vietnamese cuisine, which best reflects and represents traditional cuisine, is found in Tet foods. Here are the top 3 Vietnamese dishes you absolutely must taste during the Tet festival in Vietnam:

• Banh Chung (Vietnamese Square Sticky rice cake)

This cake has been a staple of Vietnamese cuisine for a very long time. Old tales claim that Banh Chung first appeared during the Hung dynasty. This cake represents the earth giving thanks to its forefathers and the natural world. Banh Chung is also labor-intensive and made by many different persons, which takes a lot of time. Family members frequently make Banh Chung while watching the fire overnight on New Year's Eve in Vietnam.

• Thit kho trung (Vietnamese Braised Pork with Eggs)

The rice tray of Southern families has always included braised pork with eggs. Typically, pork is either lean meat or bacon. The enormous squares of meat and the large, round duck seeds stand for "regular square, all peace" There will be sweet results despite going through numerous challenges and hardships.

• Mut (Candied Fruits)

According to Vietnam's Lunar New Year traditions, candied fruit is a must-have dish. To welcome visitors, friends, family, and ancestors, people arrange a box of colorful fruits at home. A normal visitor will appreciate candies, roasted watermelon seeds, and a few glasses of tea.

Read more about the Top Vietnamese Traditional Food On Tet Holiday That You Should Try

Traditional Foods on Tet Festival Vietnam

4. Visiting Vietnam During The Tet Festival In Vietnam

For all Vietnamese people, Tet has a very significant meaning. Everyone should now return to their hometown for a family reunion, spend time with friends, and relax after a long year of work. Make sure to take part in these joyous and cheerful Vietnamese moments if you have the chance to visit the beautiful nation over the Tet festival in Vietnam.

It is a wonderful opportunity to take in one of Vietnam's most significant festivals, which reflects the country's history as well as its cultural and religious traditions. You will experience many one-of-a-kind things, including the vibrant cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and a memorable cruise through Halong Bay. You will also experience long-standing cultures and participate in many unique activities.

Some tips before traveling to Vietnam during Tet Holiday:

• Check visa requirements before buying flight tickets. Travelers are recommended to apply for a Vietnam visa on the Vietnam Immigration Services website.
• Dine in hotel restaurants or reserve a table at an open restaurant ahead of time.
• Avoid haggling during Tet Holiday; if you absolutely must, be extremely polite. Haggling is thought to bring merchants lousy luck.

Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork on hand before applying for a Vietnam e-visa so you may visit Vietnam in time and experience the Tet holiday. You will have some unforgettable experiences, and they will be very intriguing for you.

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