Tet Holiday In Vietnam: What You Should To Know

Tết Nguyên Đán, more commonly known by its shortened name Tết, is the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar calendar. The name Tết Nguyên Đán is Sino-Vietnamese for Feast of the First Morning.

The dates of Lunar New Year differ every year but it generally takes place around late January or February. Because of the fact that Vietnamese families are so close-knitted, Tet Holiday is considered the best occasion for family members to return home and get together. During Tết, Vietnamese spend time shopping for the New Year, go to Pagodas and Temples. The items of shopping range from food to clothing to decorations for the house. 

So, when is the Tet holiday in Vietnam? 

In 2023, January 22nd is the date. Vietnamese citizens will have a 6-day national holiday starting on January 21 (Tet Eve) and lasting through January 26, 2023.

The Vietnamese believe that Tet Holiday is an occasion to enjoy life after a full hard-working year, thus people forget their struggles and focus on making the celebration as festive as possible. Due to the high regard in which people hold it, Tết, as often as not, is consumed with unique, distinctive colors and flavors. Let’s take a look at some traditions and customs typical of this special holiday in Vietnam.

A family gathering during Tet Holiday - Source: Google.com

I. Traditional custom in Tet holiday in Vietnam

Even though many Vietnamese traditions are based on old cultural beliefs that may strike some as a little superstitious, families believe that their activities during Tết must involve happiness, joy, and good luck. Below are some of the popular, long-standing Tết traditional customs that have stood the test of time from generations to generations. 

Following is some traditional customs in Tet holiday in Vietnam. 

• 1. Ancestral graves

Every year, on the 23rd to the 30th day of the 12th lunar month, many Vietnamese families gather together to visit, clean, and repair their ancestors' graves. They often bring incense and fruits to worship, to show their filial piety and to invite the spirits of their ancestors to celebrate Tet with their children and grandchildren.

The Vietnamese spiritual tradition believes that the coming of the new year is the beginning of everything new, everything needs to be repaired for new, including the resting place of grandparents and ancestors.

The custom of digging graves at the end of the year is a popular custom of Vietnamese people during the Lunar New Year, also a distinct ethnic beauty. This is a good tradition of the family, for future descendants to follow.

It shows the beauty of the "filial" religion in Vietnamese culture, tightening the love and solidarity between those who are still alive and between those who are still alive and those who have died.

• 2. Cooking Bánh chưng, Bánh tét

In today's modern society, many traditions have been lost, but there is a traditional value that has always been preserved, which is the custom of cooking banh chung and banh tet on Tet.

This is an indispensable traditional cultural beauty on every Tet holiday. It shows the cohesion and reunion when family members gather around the steaming pot of boiled cake.

This is also the preservation and promotion of the creativity of his forefathers from thousands of ancient times, expressing the heart to drink water and remember the source for his father. Vietnamese people have a legend that when the 6th Hung Vuong decided to choose Lang Lieu's banh chung as an ancestor sacrifice.

Chung cake is a typical Tet cake of the Northern and North Central provinces. In the southern provinces, a popular cake during Tet is banh tet. Although different in name (banh chung, banh tet), shape (one type of square, one type of round cylinder), wrapping leaves (a type of wrapping of dong leaves, a type of wrapping of banana leaves), the two types of cakes have different characteristics. certain common points such as the ingredients are glutinous rice, pork, green bean paste.

With the development of modern society, many families no longer pack banh chung and banh tet, but order them on demand. Both banh chung and banh tet today have become rich in sizes and flavors to satisfy the tastes of consumers. You can choose for yourself cakes from large to small, salty or sweet, meat or vegetarian fillings are very diverse.

• 3. Decorations

Traditionally, each family displays “Cây nêu”, an artificial New Year Tree consisting of a bamboo pole 5 to 6 m long. The top end is usually decorated with many objects, depending on the locality, including good luck charms, origami fish, cactus branches, etc.

At Tết every house is usually decorated by hoa mai – Ochna integerrima (in the central and southern parts of Vietnam) or hoa đào – peach flower (in the northern part of Vietnam) or hoa ban (in mountain areas). In the north or central, the kumquat tree is a popular decoration for the living room during Tết. Its bright orange-colored fruits represent the fertility and fruitfulness that the family hopes for in the coming year. Hoa Dao can be seen at Nhat Tan flower garden, is a symbol of Tet in the North

• 4. Kitchen God Day (cúng ông Táo)

Every year, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, Vietnamese people prepare a tray of rice to worship Ông Công and Ông Táo. This is a unique culture of the Vietnamese people that has been handed down in folklore for many generations.

In Vietnamese folk beliefs, the legend of Ông Công and Ông Táo is derived from the three gods Tho Cong, Tho Dia, and Tho Ki of Chinese Taoism. One god represents the land, one god represents the house and one god represents the kitchen.

Vietnamese people believe that December 23 every year is the day when the Tao Quan rides a carp to the sky to report all business and behavior happening in the family on earth to the Jade Emperor. Until New Year's Eve, Tao Quan returned to the human world.

• 5. Year-end meal

For Vietnamese families with children and grandchildren studying or working far away, Tet is the most special occasion of the year for family reunion. This is the typical culture of the Vietnamese people, showing the solidarity and love of people with the same family or close friends.

The year-end meal is usually held on the afternoon of December 30 of the lunar calendar. At this time, the whole family gathers together around a warm tray of rice at the end of the year. In the faint smoke of incense, the whole family sat down to eat and talk.

The year-end rice tray has all kinds of dishes with bold Tet flavors such as: Chung cake, spring rolls, pickles, etc.

This is also a meal for children and grandchildren to show respect and filial piety to the deceased in the family. The year-end meal is the most touching ceremony of every Vietnamese family. After a year of hard work, the children from far away from home come back to gather around the year-end rice tray, telling each other stories of life, profession, and hard living.

Whether the year-end dinner is full of luxury or poverty, each person is still full of love. Each locality has different worship rituals, but whether people from the North or the South, people from the Central or the West of the river, the year-end meal is always respectful and affectionate.

• 6. New Year's Eve Celebration (Giao thừa)

New Year's Eve is considered the most sacred and important time of the year for every family. This is the moment when heaven and earth harmonize, yin and yang blend so that all things and sentient beings have more energy to create new vitality with so many hopes and wishes for a happy new year, good crops, etc.

The moment of transition between the old year and the new year on the 30th day of the 12th lunar month is considered an important time of the year and is often called "Giao thừa”. Vietnamese people everywhere do not forget the activities to welcome this moment.

The meaning of New Year's Eve offerings is to pray for the family for a new year with lots of luck, goodness, and peace. It also shows the tradition of filial piety to the one who gave birth, inherits and respects spiritual elements from thousands of years ago.

The most popular New Year's Eve celebration across the country is fireworks. At the time of New Year's Eve, localities across the country organize a spectacular fireworks display lasting 15 minutes in many locations.

• 7. Xông nhà

Since the Vietnamese believe that the first visitor a family receives in the year determines their fortune for the entire year, people never enter any house on the first day without being invited first. The act of being the first person to enter a house on Tết is called xông đất, xông nhà or đạp đất, which is one of the most important rituals during Tết. According to Vietnamese tradition, if good things come to the family on the first day of the lunar New Year, the entire following year will also be full of blessings. Usually, a person of good temper, morality and success will be the lucky sign for the host family and be invited first into the house.

During subsequent days, people visit relatives and friends. Traditionally but not strictly, the second and even painting their home in anticipation of spring, settle old debts and disputes, and pledge to behave nicely and work hard in the new year. 

• 8. Wishing and Giving Lì xì (lucky money)

This is a long-standing cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people. New Year Greeting does not necessarily celebrate many expensive objects, but mainly carries a symbolic spirit.

Children wish their fathers and mothers a happy New Year, show their filial piety, repay the kindness of birth and upbringing. Grandparents and parents wish their children and grandchildren Tet to show their love and care, looking forward to learning progress, being obedient and mature.

The first day of Tết is reserved for the nuclear family. Children receive a red envelope containing money from their elders. This tradition is called mừng tuổi (happy new age) in the north and lì xì in the south. Usually, children wear their new clothes and give their elders the traditional Tết greetings before receiving the money.

Relatives and neighbors wish each other New Year's greetings, showing a respectful and close relationship in life. Happy birthday is also an opportunity for each person to show care, care and encouragement for each other, get rid of bad habits and bad deeds, and enter a new year with an elated spirit.

During Tet Festival, Vietnamese people often give some small gifts to express their love and kindness to others. It becomes to a culture in Vietnam, to find out Gift-giving custom in Vietnam, visit here: The beauty of gift giving customs in Vietnam

• 9. Visiting pagodas on New Year Days

Most Vietnamese people go to pagodas according to family tradition. From generation to generation, for Buddhists for a long time, going to pagodas has become a daily activity. Anyone who comes to the temple hopes to find peace for their family. The custom of going to pagodas in the first days of the new year is a cultural and spiritual beauty in the life of every Vietnamese.

Going to the temple at the beginning of the year is not only to pray for a new year of luck and fortune and to show respect to Buddha and ancestors. That custom, over thousands of years, is considered as a beauty of traditional culinary culture, bearing the cultural identity of the region and region, seemingly indispensable.

II. Traditional food in Tet holiday in Vietnam

A family meal during Tet Holiday - Source: Google.com

Some traditional food in Tet holiday are: 

+ Bánh chưng, bánh tét

+ Giò, chả

+ Thịt kho hột vịt

+ Pickles

+ Xôi

+ Mứt

+ Khổ qua

• 1. Bánh chưng, bánh tét (Sticky square cake) 

Bánh Chưng is a food made from glutinous rice, mung bean and pork, added with many other ingredients. Bánh Chưng is covered by green leaves (usually banana leaves) and symbolizes the Earth, invented by the prince Lang Liêu from the Hùng King dynasty. Besides traditional reasons, Bánh Chưng is chosen as the main food for Tết holiday because it can last long for days in Vietnamese weather (Banh Chung can survive at room temperature for nearly 1 month).

• 2. Giò, chả (Vietnamese sausage)

Giò chả (Vietnamese ham/sausage) is another traditional food in Tết holiday, and usually served with Xôi (sticky rice) and Bánh Chưng. Giò is different from Chả since Giò is boiled and Chả is deep-fried. Chả is also made of lean pork and ingredients, but Chả is not wrapped by leaves and boiled but deep-fried in oil.

• 3. Thịt kho hột vịt (Braised Pork Belly with Duck Egg)

This dish is more popularly enjoyed in the South than in the North, however, no one can deny the irresistible aroma, flavor and the amazing compatibility of this dish with a bowl of steaming rice. The Pork Belly and Egg is cooked with coconut juice and fish sauce until it becomes tender and absorbs all those amazing flavors. The dish is so universal and easy to make that it has become one of the most popular dishes served during Tet Holiday.

• 4. Xôi (Sticky rice)

Xôi is also a very important part of Tet holiday in Vietnam, along with Bánh Chưng, xôi is the main staple foods for Tết holiday. Xôi can be seen in many forms: Xôi Lạc (sticky rice with peanuts), Xôi Đỗ Xanh (sticky rice with mung bean), Xôi Gấc (sticky rice with special “gấc” fruit). Among these types, xôi gấc is favorite the most by people because of its special red color – symbolizes the luck and new achievement for the New Year.

• 5. Mứt (Jam)

Mứt Tết (Tết jam) is not a food to serve in a meal during Tết holiday, but more like a snack to welcome guests in this special period. This once-in-a-year mix of snacks is very large in variety, with so many tastes: ginger, carrot, coconut, pineapple, pumpkin, lotus seed, star fruit, etc.

• 6. Khổ qua ( Bitter Melon)

This specialty is taken into Tet Holiday menu as it is a Vietnamese firm belief that sadness will pass and the happiness will come over after bitterness has been eaten.

Related article: Common Vietnamese Vegetables You Should Know 

III. Decorate flower in your house in Tet Holiday to bring fortune

In addition to five fruit trays with brilliant colors, flowers and trees are also indispensable during the Tet holiday, placed in the most solemn position. Tet 2023 is approaching, see the suggestions to help you choose plants according to Feng Shui to decorate your house for Tet to bring luck and fortune.

Some flowers in Tet holiday are:

+ Daffodils flower

+ Hyacinth flower

+ Fig tree

+ Peach blossoms

+ Apricot flower

+ Kumquat tree

• 1. Daffodils flower

After the cold winter days, daffodils are one of the first flowers blooming in the spring. In the North of New Years, there is always a pot of daffodils displayed on the altar or the living room.

Daffodils flower in Tet holiday - Source: Google.com

Collecting daffodils is the elegant pleasures of the capital citizen from the past. With a hot tea cup, enjoying the white daffodil petals and the gentle fragrance spread in the air, you will feel relaxed, cheerful and warm in the spring days. Today, people consider the daffodils a symbol of a fresh and delegate beginning and making them blooming on the first day of the Lunar New Year is a skillful technique.

• 2. Hyacinth flower

Hyacinth is particularly suitable for planting in the New Year. This flower carries a sweet ethereal beauty and pleasant aroma. Bringing all color and smell, the flower is extremely ideal for decoration in any space of the house.

According to feng shui, many flower players said that if Hyacinth blooms well on the 30th of Tet, the owner will have a new year full of luck and fortune.

• 3. Fig tree

Fig tree in Tet holiday - Source: Google.com

The fig tree symbolizes abundance and fullness. It also represents luck, prosperity, and brings material and spiritual integrity to the homeowner in the new year.

The fig tree is the symbol of fullness, so the fig tree is very popular among Vietnamese. The fig tree is also ranked first in the Three-tree in Tet holiday, the symbol of happiness. Many people choose fig fruit to present on the tray of fruit offerings on New Year's Day.

• 4. Peach blossoms

Peach blossoms can be seen at Nhat Tan flower garden, is a symbol of Tet in the North

Peach blossoms are the essence of the Five Elements. People said that when the devil was raging on the earth, the Buddha helped people to chase and use peach blossoms as the boundary. Every year on the night of the 30th, the devils were allowed from the East Sea to roam the land. Families try to avoid the devil, they place peach branches in front of the house.

Buying peach blossoms on Tet holiday is a beautiful custom of the people of the North. The fragrant red peach blossom brings luck, romance and prosperity for the family in the New Year.

• 5. Apricot flower

If the people in the North loved the peach blossom, the apricot blossom occupied the unique position in the South region. The yellow color of the apricot blossom symbolizes wealthy (coincident with the color of gold). According to the concept of ancient people, the more petal the apricot blossomed, the more fortunate the family is. If the tree has a lot of 7-petal blossoms, the family will have great luck in the New Year.

• 6. Kumquat

The tree is a symbol of luck, wealth, prosperity and fertility. In Vietnam, kumquat are preferred because just a small vine is enough for the wealthy in four quarters. The kumquat tree on Tet holiday means having a lot of luck and blessings. Kumquat trees have good green leaves, fruit, and yellow fruits all represent abundance, promising a new year of good harvest, good food, abundant vitality.

In conclusion, the meaning of Vietnamese traditional New Year is a special occasion for people to go to pagodas and temples. Family members gather to celebrate a new year together, hoping for a better new year. Since this is one of the most important festivals for Vietnamese people, everything must be prepared with the best of wishes for a happy and prosperous new year, full of prosperity all year round.

To find out other festivals in Vietnam, visit here: Top 10 Biggest Festival In Vietnam You Must Know