Lunar New Year, also known as Tet Nguyen Dan, is the most important traditional festival in Vietnam. Just like in Western Christian countries, Christmas is a sacred and important holiday, so is traditional New Year’s Day. Traditional New Year is called Lunar New Year, and is considered the most important moment of the year.
. Time begins on the first day of the first lunar month of the new year. Lunar New Year usually falls around the end of January to mid-February of the calendar year. Normally in Vietnam, every time preparing for the Lunar New Year, everyone, whether working or going to school, has a holiday schedule. Normally, the time off is one working week or more (for working people) and the leave is two to three days before December 30.
. To celebrate a big Tet of the year, everyone is very busy preparing carefully and busily. First is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. This is considered the day to send Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao back to heaven. Legend has it that on this day every year, the gods will return to heaven to report on the people’s situation in the past year.
. On the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, this is the last day of the year, everyone also prepares a tray of rice to worship at home and is called a “year-end” tray. One of the most important preparations for the traditional New Year is the five-fruit tray. True to its name, there are usually five fruits that represent the luckiest and best things of the year. Depending on the region, these five fruits are chosen differently.
Preperation
Before the Lunar New Year arrives, Vietnamese families engage in thorough preparations.
. Spring Cleaning: Prior to Lunar New Year, Vietnamese families engage in a thorough cleaning of their homes. This is done to remove any bad luck or negative energy from the previous year and to welcome the fresh start of the new year. Homes are tidied up, dusted, and decorated with flowers and ornaments.
. About shopping for New Clothes: It is customary for people to buy new clothes to wear during Lunar New Year. Wearing new clothes symbolizes a fresh start and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. Red is a particularly popular color as it is considered lucky.
. Decorating the House: Vietnamese households are adorned with colorful decorations during Lunar New Year. The most common decorations include red couplets with auspicious phrases, peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and traditional Vietnamese paper crafts. These decorations are believed to bring good fortune and happiness into the home. During Tet, there must often be red couplets. Red is considered the most brilliant color and according to folk beliefs, is a symbol of intense vitality (blood, fire). It is both outstanding and in harmony with the green of banh chung, the yellow of apricot blossoms… brightening the Tet atmosphere, creating a warm feeling in the new spring.
. Paying Respects to Ancestors: Vietnamese families pay homage to their ancestors during Lunar New Year. They clean and decorate their ancestral altars, light incense, and offer fruits, flowers, and traditional foods. This act of reverence expresses gratitude and seeks blessings for the family’s well-being in the coming year. On the ancestral altar, in addition to a tray of rice, there are also trays of five fruits, candies, soft drinks, canned beer, and flowers in vases. Flowers in vases are also very strictly selected, often with bright colors to bring luck for the new year. In addition, placing peach branches and apricot branches on the family altar is also a method that many families choose. Similar to the flower vase for worship, the colors of other objects on the ancestral altar are also vibrant, bright, and beautifully arranged. Northerners who come to each other’s homes during Tet often observe the homeowner’s altar. The altar will reflect the homeowner’s prosperity in the past year. It is about worship customs.
Traditional Custom
During Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people follow various customs and traditions.
. One of the most well-known traditions is the giving of lucky money, known as “li xi,”. This is believed to bring blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. Giving and receiving lucky money, is a cherished tradition during Lunar New Year. Elders and married couples give small red envelopes containing money to children and unmarried individuals as a symbol of luck, blessings, and good wishes for the new year. Another tradition is the offering of food, fruits, and incense to ancestors at the family altar as a sign of respect and gratitude.
. Of course, in the new year, we cannot forget the custom of storming the ground (or house) on the first day of the New Year. The first three days of the year are considered the three days of Tet. People believe that what they do in the first days of the year will affect the new year for them and their loved ones. “January 1st” is the first New Year’s Day and is considered the most important day of the entire Tet holiday. According to Vietnamese folk beliefs, if on the first day everything goes smoothly, smoothly, and fortunately, then the whole year will also be good and favorable. That’s why the first guest visiting the house of the year is also very important to the homeowner.
. Departures and spring trips at the beginning of the year are also extremely important. It is believed that the first direction of the year is also very important, this direction will affect that person’s future for the entire upcoming year.
. The custom of going to pagodas to pray for peace, fortune and luck for a new year is an indispensable custom during the traditional Tet holiday. Some people choose to depart on the morning of the first day of the New Year and go to the pagoda to pray for good luck for their family, praying for a peaceful new year, good health, and prosperous business.
. Nowadays, spring trips away from home are more popular, with many families choosing domestic and international trips to make up for the busy time in the old year.
Family Reunions
One of the highlights of Lunar New Year is the gathering of family members. How can we forget to continue to visit and celebrate. Visiting relatives is to bond family affection. New Year wishes are usually for good health, prosperity, good luck, all wishes come true…People travel long distances to be with their loved ones during this special time. They come together to enjoy festive meals, exchange wishes for good fortune, and pay respects to their ancestors. It is a time of unity and togetherness.
These visits help bring people together, erase all the problems of the old year, and happily welcome the new year. Visit friends, colleagues and people close to you to wish them good wishes, helping your friendship grow closer. Lunar New Year is a time for family reunions and social gatherings. People travel to visit their relatives and friends, offering well wishes for the new year. It is common to exchange gifts, share meals together, and catch up on each other’s lives.
Festive Activities
During Lunar New Year, there are various cultural events and activities held throughout Vietnam. These include dragon dances, lion dances, traditional music performances, and firecracker displays where performers mimic the movements of a dragon using a long flexible body. People participate in these events to celebrate the festive spirit and enjoy the community gatherings. Fireworks displays are also common, lighting up the sky and creating a lively atmosphere.
There are indispensable activities organized around the day such as folk games, Tet markets, and flower markets. Folk games are mainly organized such as pot smashing, sack jumping, tug of war, rope skipping, and human chess. They are held at village communal houses and cultural houses to make the Tet atmosphere more exciting
Tet markets and flower markets are also held every year to enhance the spring colors of Tet. In addition, there is a crowd of people going to the pagoda to pray for a new year with new hope and new joy. This is what shows the spirituality of Vietnamese people. From old to young people come together to the temple to hope for a better new year. And those are unforgettable images of Tet
Tet Foods
No Lunar New Year celebration in Vietnam is complete without traditional Tet foods. Tet cuisine is extremely diverse. A popular Tet feast consists of 8 to 10 different dishes. Our ancestors believed that eating is to enjoy, so even though there are many dishes, each dish is only presented in a small bowl or plate. The Tet meal is probably the most carefully prepared task in each locality, and each place has its own unique characteristics. Different from the usual rice tray, the Tet dinner tray is more hearty and special. There are several other traditional dishes that are commonly prepared and enjoyed during Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Here are a few examples:
. One popular dish is “banh chung,” a square-shaped sticky rice cake wrapped in green leaves. It symbolizes the Earth and is considered an essential part of the festive menu. Other delicacies include “thit kho” (caramelized pork) and “mut” (candied fruits), which are enjoyed by families and guests.
. “Thit kho” (Caramelized Braised Pork): This dish features pork belly or pork shoulder braised in a flavorful mixture of fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and spices. It is slow-cooked until the pork becomes tender and caramelized. “Thit kho” is a staple dish during Lunar New Year and represents wealth and abundance.
. “Dua Hanh” (Pickled Onions): These pickled onions are made by marinating thinly sliced onions in vinegar, sugar, and salt. They add a tangy and crunchy element to the festive meals and are believed to bring luck and ward off evil spirits.
. “Mut” (Candied Fruits): “Mut” refers to a variety of candied fruits that are enjoyed during Lunar New Year. Popular choices include candied ginger, coconut, lotus seeds, and kumquats. These sweet treats symbolize good luck and prosperity in the new year.
. “Gio Cha” (Vietnamese Sausage): These are pork sausages made from minced pork, garlic, black pepper, and fish sauce. They are typically steamed or boiled and served as a cold appetizer during Lunar New Year gatherings.
. “Che” (Sweet Soup): “Che” is a type of sweet dessert soup made with various ingredients such as beans, fruits, coconut milk, and tapioca pearls. It is served cold and provides a refreshing and sweet ending to Lunar New Year meals.
. “Canh mang” (Bamboo Shoot Soup): This soup is made with bamboo shoots, pork, and various herbs and spices. It has a light and refreshing flavor and is often served as a symbol of new beginnings and growth during the Lunar New Year period.
. “Xoi” (Sticky Rice): “Xoi” is a popular dish made from glutinous rice and can be served sweet or savory. During Lunar New Year, “xoi” is often enjoyed as a sweet treat with toppings such as mung beans, coconut, or roasted sesame seeds.
Each nation and country has its own customs and practices. The Vietnamese Lunar New Year is a special event with unique cultural features that have been passed down through the centuries. Even though through time with many historical upheavals, customs have more or less been eroded and mixed, as Vietnamese people, no matter where we are or where we go, our hearts always turn to our ethnic roots.
Lunar New Year in Vietnam is a time of great significance and excitement. Those are Vietnamese customs and practices. An important day with spiritual meaning, I hope all good things and happiness will come to every home.
It brings families together, showcases rich traditions, and allows people to start the new year on a positive note. The festive atmosphere, delicious food, and colorful customs make it a truly memorable occasion. Lunar New Year in Vietnam is a celebration of heritage and a time to embrace the traditions that have been passed down through generations.
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