Happy Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Happy New Year to our Vietnamese team members! Learn more about this significant cultural celebration.
Tet Nguyen Dan, commonly known as Tet, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration that holds great cultural and historical significance. Falling on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically between late January and early February, Tet marks a time of renewal, family gatherings, and traditional rituals.
Preparations for Tet begin well in advance, with families engaging in thorough cleaning, decorating homes with vibrant flowers, and purchasing special foods for the festive season. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation as people aim to start the new year on a favorable note.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Tet is the emphasis on family reunions. Vietnamese people place great importance on spending Tet with their loved ones, often traveling long distances to be together. This tradition reflects the deep cultural value of familial bonds and the desire for a harmonious start to the year.
Another tradition is to exchange Vietnamese lucky money (li xi) to bestow the blessing of good luck, health, happiness and prosperity upon the recipients. Some families do this just from the elders to the young children, but it can also be given from middle aged to senior family members. Other families may give money to family and friends. The amounts vary with larger dollar amounts – of $50 to $100, for example – going to immediate family members and smaller amounts – $2 to $10 – going to friends. The money is delivered in special red envelopes on the Lunar New Year.
Central to Tet celebrations is the custom of paying respect to ancestors. Families gather at ancestral altars to offer prayers, burn incense, and present offerings. This act is believed to honor ancestors and seek their blessings for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
A significant culinary aspect of Tet is the preparation of special dishes. Traditional foods such as banh chung (square sticky rice cake), gio lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), and pickled vegetables are commonly enjoyed during the festivities. Each dish carries symbolic meaning, representing prosperity, good luck, and a bountiful harvest.
The iconic Tet parade, featuring vibrant dragon and lion dances, adds a lively and colorful element to the celebrations. These performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits, contributing to the overall festive atmosphere.
As the clock strikes midnight on the Vietnamese New Year's Eve, fireworks illuminate the sky, symbolizing the departure of the old year and the arrival of new opportunities. Tet Nguyen Dan is a time for reflection, gratitude, and embracing new beginnings – a celebration that beautifully encapsulates the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
Learn more:
https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/tet-vietnam-lunar-new-year
