Tết, or Vietnamese New Year, is the most significant and cherished holiday in Vietnam, marking the arrival of spring and the start of the Lunar New Year. Much more than just a celebration, Tết is a time for family reunions, honouring ancestors, and welcoming prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. With its vibrant traditions, delicious foods, and deep cultural roots, Tết offers a unique opportunity to connect with Vietnamese culture. Whether you’re familiar with this festive season or discovering it for the first time, learning about Tết is a beautiful way to embrace the joy and unity it brings.
What is Tết?
Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán, translates to “Festival of the First Morning of the First Day.” It is Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration and one of the oldest cultural traditions in the country. Rooted in both Confucian and Buddhist practices, Tết marks a time for honouring ancestors, reconnecting with loved ones, and leaving behind the troubles of the old year. It is also a time to express gratitude and set intentions for prosperity, happiness, and health in the year to come.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Tết follows the lunar calendar, meaning its date changes each year, typically falling between late January and mid-February. This unique aspect makes Tết a vibrant and exciting holiday, as families and communities come together to welcome a fresh start. From bustling markets to streets adorned with bright blossoms, the atmosphere during Tết is nothing short of magical.
When is Tết Celebrated?
Tết is celebrated at the turn of the Lunar New Year, typically occurring between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar. The holiday lasts for several days, with festivities often beginning a week before the official start and continuing for about a week after. In 2025, Tết will fall on 29th January, with New Year’s Eve (Giao Thừa) on 28th January.
The lead-up to Tết is just as important as the main holiday itself. Families prepare by thoroughly cleaning their homes, paying off debts, and decorating with symbolic items like kumquat trees and red banners. This preparation period is believed to sweep away bad luck from the past year and create a fresh, welcoming environment for the new one. The days of Tết are then filled with family gatherings, ancestral offerings, and traditional ceremonies, making it a time of joy, reflection, and hope for the future.
Customs and Traditions of Tết
Tết is steeped in customs and traditions that reflect Vietnamese values of family, respect, and gratitude. Preparations for the holiday begin well before the Lunar New Year, as families clean and organise their homes to remove bad luck and make way for good fortune. Decorations play a significant role, with kumquat trees, peach blossoms (Hoa Đào), and apricot blossoms (Hoa Mai) adorning homes and public spaces, symbolising prosperity and renewal.
On New Year’s Eve (Giao Thừa), families gather for an ancestral worship ceremony (cúng tổ tiên), offering fruits, flowers, and traditional dishes to honour their ancestors. This practice is a heartfelt way to express gratitude and invite blessings for the year ahead.
Another cherished tradition is the giving of lì xì—red envelopes containing money—to children and elders. These envelopes, often adorned with gold lettering or images of the zodiac animal, symbolise luck and prosperity. Visiting family, friends, and neighbours during the first few days of Tết is also customary, with the belief that the first visitor (người xông đất) can influence the household’s fortune for the entire year.
Traditional Foods of Tết
No Tết celebration is complete without its array of symbolic and delicious traditional dishes. These foods are not only a treat for the senses but also carry deep cultural meanings, representing prosperity, unity, and gratitude.
One of the most iconic Tết dishes is Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cake) and Bánh Tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake). Made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, these cakes are wrapped in green leaves, symbolising the earth and the importance of agriculture. Families often come together to prepare and cook these cakes, creating cherished memories in the process.
Another favourite is Thịt Kho, a braised pork dish cooked with eggs and coconut water, representing warmth and abundance. Sweet treats, such as candied fruits (Mứt Tết), are served to guests as a gesture of hospitality and goodwill. Popular choices include candied lotus seeds, ginger, and coconut, all symbolising happiness and longevity.
Seasonal fruits also feature prominently during Tết, especially in the mâm ngũ quả (five-fruit tray). Each fruit is chosen for its auspicious meaning, with common choices including bananas, kumquats, pomelos, and watermelons.
Symbolism and Superstitions of Tết
Tết is not only a time for celebration but also a period rich with symbolism and traditions designed to bring good fortune and avoid bad luck. Many of these customs are rooted in Vietnamese beliefs about harmony, prosperity, and spiritual balance.
One prominent symbol of Tết is the Hoa Mai (yellow apricot blossom) in southern Vietnam and the Hoa Đào (peach blossom) in the north. These flowers are believed to bring luck and happiness to households. Similarly, kumquat trees are highly valued during Tết, as their vibrant orange fruits represent wealth and success.
Superstitions also play a key role during the holiday. For example, the first visitor (người xông đất) to a household on New Year’s Day is thought to determine the family’s fortune for the year. Families often arrange for someone with a positive and successful aura to be the first to visit.
Other practices include avoiding breaking objects, which is seen as a bad omen, and refraining from arguing or speaking negatively to maintain an atmosphere of joy and harmony. Wearing red or bright colours is encouraged, as they symbolise happiness and good fortune, while black or white, traditionally associated with mourning, is avoided.
How Tết is Celebrated Today
Modern Tết celebrations blend traditional customs with contemporary influences, especially in urban areas. While ancestral worship and family reunions remain central, younger generations also incorporate modern festivities such as fireworks displays, street festivals, and social media celebrations.
For the Vietnamese diaspora, Tết is a way to stay connected to their roots. Communities worldwide host cultural events, share traditional foods, and recreate the festive atmosphere, ensuring the spirit of Tết thrives across borders.
Tips for Non-Vietnamese to Celebrate Tết
Tết offers a wonderful opportunity to explore Vietnamese culture, even if you’re not Vietnamese. Here are a few ways to join the celebration:
- Decorate with symbols of Tết: Add kumquat trees, peach blossoms, or red and gold decorations to your space for a festive atmosphere.
- Try traditional foods: Explore dishes like Bánh Chưng, Thịt Kho, or candied fruits to get a taste of Tết.
- Give lì xì: Share red envelopes with small amounts of money as a symbol of good luck.
- Learn the traditions: Take time to understand customs like ancestor worship or the significance of the mâm ngũ quả.
- Wish others well: Greet friends with phrases like “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” (Happy New Year) or “An Khang Thịnh Vượng” (Health and Prosperity).
Happy Tết!
Tết is more than just a holiday—it’s a vibrant celebration of family, culture, and new beginnings. From its deep-rooted traditions to its delicious foods and meaningful symbols, Tết offers a beautiful glimpse into Vietnamese values and heritage. Whether you’re preparing for your own Tết celebration or simply looking to learn more about this special time of year, embracing the spirit of Tết is a heartwarming way to start the Lunar New Year.
We’d love to hear from you! How do you celebrate the New Year in your culture? Share your traditions or Tết experiences in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the beauty of cultural connections together. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year!)
