Tet Holiday: A closer look at traditional customs, celebrations and more

The Tet Holiday, also known as Vietnamese New Year, is not merely a date on the calendar; it is the heartbeat of Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual identity. This extraordinary celebration goes beyond the changing of years, encompassing profound beliefs, ancestral reverence, and a deep-seated sense of unity.

1. An overview of the Tet Holiday (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)

1.1. The history of the Tet Holiday

Up to this point, the origin of the Tet Holiday remains a subject of various interpretations. The most popular belief affirms that this Vietnamese holiday is of Vietnamese origin, before the particular name of “Tet” was introduced and used. According to the legend of “Banh chung banh day,” even before the time of the Hung Kings, Vietnamese people had the tradition of celebrating Tet, which dates back to the pre-Chinese occupation period.

Confucius, the Chinese revered sage mentioned in the “Lễ Kinh,” book that he did not know what Tet was but had heard that it was the name of a major festival of the Man people. During those days, they would often dance, drink wine, and enjoy themselves. Furthermore, in the “Giao Chí Chí” book, it is noted that the people of Giao Quận, an ancient region in present-day Vietnam, would typically gather in groups to dance, sing, feast, and celebrate for several consecutive days to mark the start of a new planting season. 

1.2. The meaning of the Tet Holiday

Tet represents much more than just a change in the calendar. It is a profound reflection of the nation’s values, spirituality, and cultural identity. 

One of the most significant aspects of the Tet Holiday is the idea of family reunions. During this time, families come together from near and far, crossing the physical and emotional distances that may have separated them throughout the year. Tet serves as an annual pilgrimage that reunites individuals with their familial roots, where they have sown the seeds of their lives and grown into the people they are today.

The Tet Holiday is also a ceremonial farewell to the old year and a grand welcome to the new one. As the clock strikes midnight, it brings the hopes for a year of health, growth, prosperity, and harmony. The agricultural consciousness embedded in the Vietnamese way of life finds its reflection in Tet, reminding the people of their reliance on the land and their deep connection to the rural heritage.

Moreover, Tet is a time of great spiritual significance. It is believed that during Tet, ancestors return to join their living descendants at the family altar. The ancestors bear witness to the devotion and honor bestowed upon them by their progeny. This spiritual connection is believed to ensure the welfare, prosperity, and stability of their descendants in the years to come.

During these cherished days of Tet, Vietnamese people become closer, and there is an earnest desire for joy and well-wishing. It is a time for people to exchange the warmest greetings and send forth their sincerest hopes for the new year. The Tet Holiday acts as an ideal occasion for reconciliation, offering a unique opportunity for the resolution of conflicts and the strengthening of bonds among people.

2. How long is the Tet Holiday in Vietnam? Which day is the most important?

The Tet Holiday is based on the lunar calendar. It usually falls between the first and second lunar month. The celebration begins a few days before the actual day of Tet and continues for several days afterward. 

• Before Tet: The preparations for the Tet Holiday start well in advance, with families cleaning and decorating their homes, shopping for new clothes and gifts, and participating in ancestor worship rituals.
• Vietnamese New Year’s Eve (Giao Thua): The night leading up to the Tet Holiday, known as New Year’s Eve, is a momentous occasion. Families gather for a reunion dinner, pay respects to their ancestors, and stay up until midnight to welcome the new year.
• Tet Nguyen Dan: This is the most important day of the Tet Holiday. It is a time for families to exchange well-wishes, visit relatives and neighbors, and participate in various traditional customs.
• The first three days: The first three days of the Tet Holiday are typically considered the most important and celebrated. These are the days when people visit friends and family, exchange greetings and gifts, and continue to observe traditional customs.
• The remaining days: The remainder of the Tet Holiday is still part of the celebration, but it may see a decrease in the intensity of activities. People may continue to visit relatives and engage in social events.

The Tet Holiday dates for the next couple of years are as follows:

Year	Tet
2024	February 10
2025	January 29
2026	February 17

3. Essential things to know about the Tet Holiday in Vietnam

3.1. Flowers and trees for the Tet Holiday

• Peach blossoms: Peach blossoms are a staple during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing good luck.
• Yellow apricot blossoms: Apricot blossoms are another staple of Tet, especially in Southern Vietnam. They symbolize prosperity.
• Gladiolus: This is a unique-looking flower that comes in many different colors. Many families choose it for floral arrangements during Tet. 
• Kumquat tree: Kumquat trees symbolize good fortune.
• Fig tree: This tree is a member of the mulberry family. During Tet, it is believed to bring luck and wealth.
• Emerald palm tree: This tree has evergreen leaves, symbolizing wealth.
• Honeysuckle: With its unique appearance, the honeysuckle is a beautiful choice for decorations during Tet.

Besides these flowers and trees, chrysanthemums, dahlias, and spring buds are also commonly seen during the Tet Holiday. 

3.2. Traditional food for the Tet Holiday

Traditional Vietnamese food plays a central role in celebrating the Tet Holiday. They are not only delicious but are laden with symbolism, carrying wishes of good luck, health, and prosperity for the coming year. During Tet, families prepare a sumptuous array of Vietnamese New Year’s foods, including:

• Banh chung: This is a square-shaped cake made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and fatty pork, all wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for hours. Chung cake represents the earth, symbolizing the Vietnamese ancestral land. 
• Banh tet: This is also a glutinous rice cake filled with mung beans and fatty pork, but it is cylindrical to represent the sky. Along with banh chung, banh tet is a symbol of the Vietnamese ancestral land. Sharing it with loved ones is a gesture of unity and familial ties.
• Dried candied fruits: A variety of candied fruits, known as “mut,” are a popular Tet Holiday treat. These fruits are meticulously prepared, sweetened, and dried, often with vibrant colors that symbolize joy and good fortune. They are typically served in decorative trays to offer guests during visits.
• Pickled vegetables: Pickled vegetables, like pickled onions and pickled garlic, are a common accompaniment to many Tet dishes. These tangy and crunchy bites are believed to bring a balanced flavor to the festive table, signifying a harmonious life for the family.

4. What are some significant Tet Holiday traditions and activities?

4.1. Before the Tet Holiday

4.1.1. Clean and decorate the house

Cleaning and decorating the home before the Tet Holiday is a deeply ingrained tradition that symbolizes the desire for a fresh start and the welcoming of good luck and prosperity into the house. This involves cleaning every nook and cranny, sweeping away the old, and making room for the new. It is not merely about tidying up but also about getting rid of the accumulated negative energy from the past year. Once the cleaning is done, families spend time decorating their Vietnamese houses. Red and yellow are the predominant colors used for decoration during Tet. You will often find them in Vietnamese New Year decorations like lanterns, parallel sentences, etc. 

4.1.2. Shop for new clothes and gifts

Buying new clothes and gifts in the days leading up to the Tet Holiday is another tradition that represents a significant aspect of the festive season. Purchasing new clothes for Tet is a symbol of renewal and a fresh start for the coming year. People often choose vibrant and colorful outfits to wear on the first day of the Lunar New Year, believing that it will bring them good luck.

Meanwhile, giving and receiving gifts during Tet is a way to show love and appreciation to family and friends. Common gifts include traditional Tet foods, fruits, flowers, and sometimes, money in red envelopes (li xi). These gifts symbolize good wishes for the recipient, reinforcing the sense of unity and togetherness.

Shopping for new clothes and gifts is not just about material possessions; it is a part of the larger preparation for the family reunions and gatherings that occur during the Tet Holiday. In the weeks leading up to Tet, shopping areas become bustling with people. It is a time when markets are filled with a wide variety of goods, from traditional Tet Holiday decorations to clothing and food. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation.

4.1.3. Worship the Land and Kitchen Gods

The ritual of worshiping the Land and Kitchen Gods is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, with the hope that the new year will come with good fortune. It is also a reflection of the strong belief in the connection between the spiritual and earthly realms in Vietnamese society, making Tet a time for both material and spiritual renewal.

• Worshipping the Land God (Ông Địa):

The Land God is believed to be the guardian spirit of the land and the house. Several days before the Tet Holiday, families set up a small altar in their homes to honor the Land God. Offerings placed on the altar include fruits, incense, and other symbolic items. By paying respects to the Land God, families hope for good fortune for the coming year.

• Worshiping the Kitchen God (Táo Quân):

The Kitchen God is the god who determines the luck and misfortune of a household. During Tet, families set up a small altar with offerings of food, incense, and other items to perform a multi-step ritual that is meant to ensure that the Kitchen God speaks favorably of the family when he reports to the Jade Emperor, helping to secure blessings for the house. 

4.1.4. Visit ancestors’ graves

Before the Tet Holiday, to show respect and filial piety towards their ancestors, families visit their graves, cleaning the resting place of those who have passed away. This practice is a significant pre-Tet ritual that carries both cultural and spiritual meanings. It allows families to pay respects to the forebears, express gratitude for their guidance, and seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead. 

4.2. During the Tet Holiday

4.2.1. Worship ancestors and set up altars

Before Tet, families prepare a dedicated altar in their homes. This altar is adorned with offerings such as flowers, fruits, incense, candles, and occasionally, family photos. These items symbolize the appreciation for ancestors and are believed to attract positive energy. On the first day of Tet, the family gathers around the altar for a solemn ancestor worship ritual. This is a deeply spiritual moment, when family members express their gratitude, love, and respect for their ancestors.

The head of the household, typically the eldest male, lights the incense and offers prayers. The family may kneel or bow during this ceremony, showing their reverence. Members take turns presenting offerings to the ancestors. During the ritual, family members share their wishes and express gratitude for the guidance of their ancestors in the past year. They also seek blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.

This ritual is not just a tradition; it is a moment of profound spiritual connection with one’s ancestors. It reinforces the belief that the spirits of the departed are still present and play a role in the family’s well-being. The Tet Holiday is a time for Vietnamese families to come together, and the ancestor worship ritual is a powerful reminder of the bonds that span generations. It is a tradition that instills a sense of continuity and respect for the past while looking forward to a prosperous and harmonious future.

4.2.2. Exchange red envelopes (li xi)

The custom of exchanging red envelopes, also known as “li xi” in Vietnamese, is one of the most beloved and symbolic traditions during Tet. Red envelopes are Vietnamese New Year gifts typically given by adults to children and unmarried individuals. It is a way for the older generation to bestow blessings upon the young. Nowadays, it is also common for employers to give red envelopes to employees and for friends to exchange them as a symbol of goodwill.

The exchange of Vietnamese lucky money usually occurs during the first days of the Lunar New Year, particularly on New Year’s Day. The amount of money placed inside the red envelope can vary, but it often contains even numbers as these numbers are considered lucky.

Red envelopes often feature phrases or sayings in gold or black ink. These phrases convey blessings for health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year. The designs on the red envelopes may also feature images of animals from the Chinese zodiac corresponding to the current year.

4.2.3. Perform lion and dragon dances

Performing Vietnamese lion dance and dragon dance during the Tet Holiday is a cherished tradition that adds an extra layer of festivity to the celebration. They are a culturally significant part of Tet, symbolizing good luck, warding off evil spirits, and bringing prosperity.

• Lion dance: The lion dance typically involves two performers inside a lion costume. One controls the head and front legs, while the other controls the rear legs. The lion’s movements are often accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of drum, cymbals, and gongs.

• Dragon dance: The dragon dance involves a long, flexible dragon puppet manipulated by a team of performers who move in harmony to create the appearance of a graceful dragon. Usually, it is performed in public spaces in front of the entire community.

4.2.4. Visit pagodas and temples

The tradition of visiting pagodas and temples holds a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people. During the Tet Holiday, Vietnamese pagodas and temples are adorned with vibrant flowers, lanterns, and incense. The atmosphere is festive and inviting, making Tet a particularly appealing time to visit these places.

For many Vietnamese, visiting pagodas and temples during the Tet Holiday is a means of spiritual renewal and reflection. It is an opportunity to leave behind the troubles and worries of the previous year and begin the new year with a fresh and clear mind. People also come to pagodas and temples to offer prayers for their family’s well-being in the coming year and express gratitude for the past year.

5. The 5 famous festivals taking place on the Tet Holiday

5.1. The Tet Dancing Festival of the Dao people

The Tet Dancing Festival is a unique cultural event of the Dao people, taking place on the 1st and 2nd day of the 1st lunar month. The festival includes 14 traditional dances, which represent the thoughts and feelings of the locals. The meaning of the dances is to welcome the New Year, dispel bad luck, and demonstrate the distinct characteristics of the people. In the festival, there are also processions of ancestral statues. Everyone will eat, drink, sing, and dance together.

5.2. The Perfume Pagoda Festival

The Perfume Pagoda is a renowned religious and cultural site in Vietnam, located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Hanoi. The Perfume Pagoda Festival is one of the most significant religious festivals in the country, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. The festival usually begins on the 6th day of the 1st lunar month and lasts until the end of the 3rd lunar month. Pilgrims will embark on a picturesque and somewhat arduous journey to reach the Perfume Pagoda, standing on the top of a mountain. Upon arrival, they will light incense, say their prayers, and make offerings of fruit, flowers, etc.

5.3. Dong Ky Festival

The Firecracker Procession Festival in Dong Ky Village serves to honor and reenact the heroic actions of Saint Thien Cuong. It is held from the 4th to the 7th day of the 1st lunar month. This festival is characterized by the preparation of sacred books, the procession itself, the use of firecrackers, and the gathering of crowds. Additionally, a multitude of cultural and folk art activities run in tandem with the festival, enhancing its vibrancy.

5.4. Tich Dien Festival

Tich Dien Festival is a cultural treasure that vividly reflects its historical origins and deep-rooted traditions. This festival includes two parts: the ceremony and the festival itself. During the solemn ceremony, various rituals unfold consecutively, including the audience for Thanh Hoang, the water procession to the temple, and the naturalization ritual. In the lively festival, attendees can participate in a plethora of folk games and see various handcrafted items that will make fine souvenirs.

5.5. Dong Da Festival

Annually, Dong Da Festival pays tribute to the remarkable triumphs of Quang Trung. The beating of drums and the resonance of gongs signify the commencement of the event, which initiates with a spirited procession. Upon the procession’s arrival, a series of ceremonies, including incense offerings, requiems, and the opening rites, commences. Dong Da Festival also features various folk games and competitive races.

Aside from these festivals during the Tet Holiday, there are many others across the country, such as Yen Tu Quang Ninh Festival, Cau Ngu Festival, and An Hai Village Festival.

6. Where to visit during the Tet Holiday in Vietnam?

Experiencing Tet is something you should try at least once in your life, and with today’s ease of travels, why not embark on a trip to Vietnam? Your Vietnam travel itinerary can include top destinations like Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. At these places, you can visit VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc to celebrate Tet and immerse yourself in the festivity of the holiday.

>>> Book tickets to VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park to celebrate Tet in Vietnam! 

7. Recommended wishes for the Tet Holiday in Vietnamese

• Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year in Vietnamese)
• Chúc gia đình bạn luôn hạnh phúc và đoàn tụ. (Wishing your family happiness and togetherness)
• Chúc bạn thịnh vượng và phát tài. (Wishing you prosperity and wealth)
• Chúc sức khỏe dồi dào. (Wishing you good health)
• Chúc công việc thuận lợi và thành công. (Wishing you a successful and smooth career)
• Chúc tình yêu và hạnh phúc gia đình. (Wishing you love and togetherness)
• Chúc bạn tràn đầy năng lượng. (Wishing you energy and vitality)
• Chúc bạn học thật giỏi và thông minh. (Wishing you success in your studies)
• Chúc bạn may mắn và thành đạt. (Wishing you luck and achievement).
• Chúc bạn thực hiện những ước mơ. (Wishing you the realization of your dreams)
• Chúc bạn có nhiều niềm vui và tiếng cười. (Wishing you joy and laughter)
• Chúc bạn gặp nhiều may mắn trong cuộc sống. (Wishing you luck in life)
• Chúc bạn có một năm mới tràn đầy hạnh phúc và thành công. (Wishing you a New Year filled with happiness and success)
• Chúc bạn được trải nghiệm nhiều điều mới mẻ và thú vị. (Wishing you exciting and new experiences)
• Chúc bạn có một năm mới tràn đầy hy vọng và thành công. (Wishing you a New Year filled with hope and success)

The Tet Holiday is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a deeply woven tapestry of tradition, culture, and spirituality. It is a time when Vietnamese people come together to honor their ancestors, celebrate family reunions, and usher in a new beginning with hopes. To fully experience Tet, consider traveling to Vietnam and make sure you visit attractions like VinWonders.