Lunar New Year is the most important festive date of the year in Vietnam. It is certainly time for family reunion in the hope of bringing good fortune for the year to come.
Lunar New Year is utterly considered as the most important festive date of the year in Vietnam. This event is a so-called “Tet”, short for Tet Nguyen Dan (Feast of the First Morning of the First Day). It is certainly time for family reunion, honoring their origins and ancestors in the hope of bringing good fortune for the year to come.
1. Lunar New Year is the happiest time of the year
Tet is normally celebrated between the end of January and the middle of February according to the Lunar Calendar. In 2023, Lunar New Year fell on Sunday 22 January, the year of the Cat in accordance with the animals of the zodiac. The Cat is the 4th sign of the 12 zodiac cycle of Astrology.
Tet often occurs for three main days but the preparation period prolongs for half a month. Such a fantastic time is a great opportunity for tourists to experience an important event. The general atmosphere leading up to Tet in the bustle of shopping with full of people. Temporary markets start appearing everywhere. Calendars, envelopes of lucky money, candy, wine and flowers of red or yellow - the colors of luck are the most popular choices for gifts for Tet.
During this time, you will have a chance to witness people galore carrying giant trees on their bikes along the streets. Each sidewalk looks like a splendid small garden with diversely colorful flowers, bonsai and distinctive types of goods at a good price. In those transitional days, from cities to the countryside, each family is beautifully decorated with kumquat trees, pink peach blossom branches in the north or yellow Ochna in the south. Several families even buy new furniture just for this occasion. New clothes and a freshly cleaned home are believed to welcome luck and happiness for the coming year.
2. The specialties of Vietnamese Lunar New Year
After the decoration and renovation of their beloved house, people start making “Banh Chung” which is indispensable in the Tet holiday. It uses sticky rice with a filling of green beans, pork and some other special ingredients which are then wrapped in “dong” leaves). Traditionally, spring onions and jellied meat were also a must of every home in those days. Such authentic foods are apparently considered to be symbols of the Vietnamese New Year and contribute unique flavors to the Tet. Banh Chung often takes around 10 to 11 hours to cook. This the perfect opportunity for all family members to get together, a privileged and special time to discuss last year’s success and share all the stories fun. Henceforth, it is a chance to heal any rifts amid members and enhance family relationships.
3. Time dedicated to the family
It is easily felt the good spirit of Tet Holiday on every street corner and high expectation of return home. For those staying away from their hometown, the return journey probably seems long and difficult. Thus, on the last day of the year, all shops will be closed. Everyone returns to their hometown and gets together to prepare special meals, fruit trays with five lucky names and flowers to worship their ancestors. At midnight, in the big cities, thousands of people wear colorful clothes and gather around public places such as bridges, large squares, and lakes to enjoy the firework performance. Afterward, they go to temples for praying and bring a small branch of a tree from their gardens, which is set on the altar in the hope of being blessed by God.
4. The suspended time of tranquility and rituals
Contrary to the lively atmosphere of the preparation period or the celebrations of Christmas in Europe, a quiet environment takes place during the three main days of Tet’s holiday. In major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, all shops and restaurants are closed during the week-long festival and the cities are fairly vehicle-free.
4.1. Hope for luck
During this period, there are also some customs that people strictly follow. There are all kinds of taboos that must be avoided to prevent bad fortune, such as arguing, showing anger or breaking things. To maintain luck, do not throw any type of object overboard, generate fire to other families. Furthermore, do not clean the house on the first day because sweeping away the garbage would like to sweep luck from their home. In addition, the first guest who enters their home will determine luck for the coming year.
Receiving lucky money in a red envelope from older people is one of the funniest habits for children. In return, the children will give a special greeting to them. Children are given red envelopes filled with money from many of their older relatives in a gesture which is also designed to transfer good fortune between them. Visiting relatives and friends is also rooted in Vietnamese culture. People often say nice sentences to wish others health, happiness, luck, and success.
4.2. Visiting important people
Don’t be surprised, when you walk down the street, you hear the “Happy New Year” melody from ABBA resonated from every home. According to Vietnamese tradition, the first day is for visiting relatives from the father of the family. Whereas, the second day is for the mother’s and the third day is for their teachers and friends.
Vietnamese love their teacher very much because the teacher is the person who educates and gives them knowledge. Vietnamese often show their respect and love to the teacher who educates and provides them with great knowledge. Even after the first three main days of Tet have passed, activities continue for the rest of the week. After that people will return to their daily life routines full of energy and happiness. So, if you are in Vietnam during that period, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this significant and memorable moment and to wish everyone “Chuc Mung Nam Moi”.