When is Tet?
Vietnamese follow the lunar calendar, and as such, the date differs every year. According to it, Tet falls on the first night of the first month’s new moon. It falls somewhere between 20th January and 20th February in the Gregorian calendar. This year it is on the 10th of February.
The preparations start weeks before, while the highlight is a few days before the holiday itself. Tet is also the longest holiday in Vietnam. The celebrations officially last from seven up to nine days, although depending on how long people want to celebrate, they can be even longer in practice.
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What is the meaning behind Tet?
Tet marks the new year and the arrival of spring according to the lunisolar calendar, and as such, it is often referred to as the Spring Festival, a name also used in other countries.
What is the connection between animals and Tet?
Vietnamese believe in a complex Zodiac system, including animals, Ying and Yang, the elements, and astronomical symbols.
All these depend on the time that you were born, depending even on the century itself. In combination, they determine your personality and the amount of luck you have in your life.
In the Vietnamese calendar, each year is assigned one of the 12 animals of the Zodiac. 2020 was the year of the Rat, 2021 was the year of the Ox or Buffalo, 2022 was the year of the Tiger, and 2023 was the year of the Cat.
And 2024 is the year of the Dragon.
What’s interesting is that even though both China and Vietnam follow the lunar calendar, 2023 was the year of the rabbit in China and the year of the cat in Vietnam. But in 2024, both call it the Year of the Dragon.
Previous and upcoming Tet dates
How is it celebrated?
Tet is mostly celebrated amongst families as it is also a family holiday, where those who moved away come back to the family home to be with their loved ones. It’s the happiest time of the year.
Essential parts of the celebration:
- Colorful decorations, most colored red and yellow
- Blossoming flowers and trees
- Feasts of traditional Vietnamese food
- Visiting relatives
- Playing games
- Shows upon shows
- Crafts and art activities
What traditions take place during Tet?
Some interesting traditions take place during Tet.
Paying all your debts
People try to pay off all their debts to go into the new year debt-free.
Cleaning the house
Everything gets properly cleaned and fixed up in the time before Tet. It symbolizes removing old things and bad luck and welcoming the New Year’s fortunes.
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Family, family, family (dead and alive)
Family means more than just the living one, as ancestors are also invited to join with meals and offerings placed on the family altar.
Tet tree
Bringing a blossoming tree or flowers into your household represents new life and good fortune.
Lucky money!
Money is given to children in a red envelope as a wish of luck and everything good in the new year.
Preparing and eating traditional Tet food
Traditional Vietnamese dishes are prepared and eaten during Tet.
Smile brighter
The first interactions of the new year set the scene for the year to come. Smile brighter, have fun and be nicer for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Symbols of Tet
This is the time when you can see the importance of symbolism in Vietnam. From the flowers and trees to the colors and decorations, to the offerings, gifting, and burning, everything has a meaning and plays an important role in Tet.
A good combination of all the correct symbols helps bring people health, good luck, and prosperity in the new year.
Why is everything in red and yellow?
The traditional red and yellow colors symbolize wealth and good fortune. They are present everywhere, on banners, decorations, trinkets, and also flowers that you see. Some even paint their vehicles in these two colors.
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What are offerings?
During Tet, offerings are made to the gods and the ancestors. The gods are worshiped outside, and the ancestors inside the house. The ancestors are also invited to join the family for a meal, placed as an offering on the altar. Burning symbolizes the transition of the items from the current world (Yang) to the ancestors in the afterlife (Yin). Fake money and paper models of things are usually burned to bring them wealth and comfort.
Flowers and plants of Tet
Bringing a blossoming tree into your household represents new life and good fortune. Usually, these are the yellow apricot blossoms in the south and the north’s pink peach blossoms. The kumquat trees are also bought to decorate living rooms as symbols of fruitfulness, health, and good luck. A pot of beautiful yellow chrysanthemum is also believed to symbolize life.
Gifting tradition in Vietnam
Maintaining a close relationship between people is an important part of Vietnamese culture. This is emphasized even more during Tet with gifts, which symbolize good wishes and bring joy and luck.
Children also receive money in a red envelope as a wish of luck and everything good in the new year.
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Streets during Tet
Tet is VERY colorful, and through the weeks leading up to it, Vietnam transforms into a lively scene.
The streets are full of artwork and symbolic carvings done by professional craftsmen and craftswomen. You can find scenes like this and more in all the big cities.
Make sure to check out all the flowers. There are loads of them on the main streets of all cities.
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Traditional food prepared for Tet
Many unique dishes are prepared to welcome the new year. This includes some of the old traditional dishes from the times of no refrigerators. At that time, everything had to be either pickled or wrapped/conserved to last during the days of celebration, as most places with fresh food are closed.
Bánh Chưng (chưng cakes) is a dish that embodies the spirit of the Vietnamese New Year. The square shape represents the earth (once believed to be a square), the fillings of vegetables and meat represent all living beings on earth, and the green leaves that cover it, represent the parents’ care for their children.
Among others, some of the important and essential dishes are Thit ga (chicken), Xôi gấc (red sticky rice), Hạt dưa (melon seeds), Dưa hành (pickled onions), Giò (Vietnamese sausage) and Thịt đông (frozen meat).
Special fruits found during Tet
Stores and street vendors sell some funky-looking fruit during this time. The most “normal” of them are the different colored and the carved-out watermelons. You can also find some funny-looking pineapples and a finger fruit called Buddha’s Hands.
What to know as a tourist during Tet
The most important part of Tet is family. This means that most Vietnamese who live away from their childhood home come back to join their family for the celebration.
As most Vietnamese travel back home, finding free space on any transportation is a very difficult task.
You shouldn’t have a problem with booking accommodation as it’s not a time for leisure travel for Vietnamese. Remember that it will be a bit more expensive, as this is the season after all.
On the first few days of the new year, museums, art galleries, and some businesses are also closed. Shopping is also limited, so try and do all of these before Tet or after the first few days of the new year.
This might also not be the best time for culinary exploration, but you do get the chance to try some of the traditional dishes prepared during this time.
What you SHOULD DO during Tet
Buy new clothes
It is believed new clothes, especially those in red and yellow or blue, bring good luck and prosperity.
Smile
End the old and start the new year with a smile. It will bring joy and happiness to you and others around you.
Give out gifts
Gifting-exchanging is a big part of Vietnamese culture, and doing so will enhance your relationships even further.
What you SHOULD NOT DO during Tet
Sweep
Don’t sweep the house on the first day of the new year, as it means you are sweeping all the good things out.
Argue or shout
You should avoid arguing at this time as it will set a bad mood for the new year.
Be cruel
Following the principles of Buddhism, you should do good deeds. One of those is not killing animals and setting them free. This is often done with birds.
Wear black
Wear something colorful to symbolize life, not black to symbolize death.
Chúc mừng năm mới 2024!
Happy New Year 2024
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