Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet)
2024 - Year Of The Dragon
Vietnamese Tet, also known as Tet Nguyen Dan or simply Tet, is the most important festival in Vietnamese culture. It is the Vietnamese New Year, and it marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Tet Holiday carries love and hope; signifies family and friend kinship; and promises a better year ahead. If you are interested in learning about local life in Vietnam, there could not be a better time than Tet.
![Vietnamese Traditional Calligraphy During Tet](jpg/7c9519041989d383db7ea0b70fba6330.jpg)
Vietnamese Traditional Calligraphy During Tet
Tet holiday is undoubted the most important and expected event of a year in Vietnam. During Tet, a number of traditional meaningful customs are practiced and calligraphy hanging is one of most beautiful one.
![Last Day Of The Lunar Year: All Rituals Packed In 24 Hours](jpg/9f9ff0e3c8b4b50b133de21ead523550.jpg)
Last Day Of The Lunar Year: All Rituals Packed In 24 Hours
The last day of the year is also the most important day since people trying to finish all necessary remaining duty of the whole year and preparation for an upcoming year.
!["Li xi" - Lucky Money for Tet](jpg/3110f7c17effe1b9582a12b068961025.jpg)
"Li xi" - Lucky Money for Tet
Visiting Vietnam on the very first days of Lunar New Year, tourists may feel curious when seeing children are extremely happy and excited about receiving tiny red envelopes from adults.
![Business Opening? Pick The Right Date For A Prosperous Year](jpg/4025239e3254b2b1593fe3913cca24df.jpg)
Business Opening? Pick The Right Date For A Prosperous Year
Derived from the perfectionist viewpoint of welcoming all good things and avoiding bad things at all cost, in Vietnamese culture, before doing important things such as building a house, organizing a wedding party or starting a business, Vietnamese are convinced that choosing the right date is vital.
![Kitchen God Day - Tet Tao Quan](jpg/96d93aaf319e66fc53d61a9f6955a34b.jpg)
Kitchen God Day - Tet Tao Quan
Well-known for the long-lasting history and rich culture, Vietnam is the land of festivities and celebrations. December of Lunar Calendar (normally January of Gregorian Calendar) is usually the busiest month as everybody is in a rush to prepare for some biggest festivals of the whole year.
![Tet Nguyen Tieu - First Full Moon Of The Year](jpg/09504b60881f1346e0c9fc5b6b9d50d8.jpg)
Tet Nguyen Tieu - First Full Moon Of The Year
Besides Tet, Tet Nguyen Tieu (First Full Moon of the New Year) is also a good opportunity for foreigners to experience Vietnamese culture thoroughly. Although Tet Nguyen Tieu originates from China, when being spread to Vietnam, Tet Nguyen Tieu has adopted to the particular cultural aspect of VIetnam and plays a significant role in Vietnamese's cultural and religious life.
![Origin Of Vietnam Tradition Xông đất](jpg/77dbaf61521f8968a22c594c1d01628c.jpg)
Origin Of Vietnam Tradition Xông đất
Year by year, Tết holiday has repeated in the role of the most fundamental and also biggest festival of a year to Vietnamese, from Kinh people to ethnic communities. In this crucial event, Xông đất (first visit to a home in a year) appears to be one of the indispensable rites.
![Do and Don't When Xong Dat](jpg/bf6d0faa6fcf2b9d9e1672af71b32fc3.jpg)
Do and Don't When Xong Dat
Tet Nguyen Dan- the biggest festival of the year- plays an extremely essential role in Vietnamese’s beliefs and culture. Among many complicated religious rituals performed in this occasion, “xong dat” (first visit to a home in a year) is believed to decide the fortune of the host for the whole year.
![Visiting Pagodas On New Year Days](jpg/2a302251fc8f58f65f3f0e39b1017207.jpg)
Visiting Pagodas On New Year Days
Together with the festive atmosphere Tet brings to Vietnam every year, the event also the best time of the year for Vietnamese to show their religious belief and traditional custom. Among them, visiting pagodas on the first days of the year has long been a lofty tradition.
![What Gifts Do Vietnamese Bring For Tet?](jpg/a80032f10e7e880b45c91439d8f1cbe2.jpg)
What Gifts Do Vietnamese Bring For Tet?
Giving gifts on Tet Festival, which has been long a traditional custom in Vietnam’s ancient culture, represents not only the close relationship but also the thorough and subtle of human behaviors. Vietnamese are extremely careful in talking and behaving on the very first days of New Year, as it can determine the good fortune throughout the year.
![Visiting Hoi An During Tet: 5 Things To Know](jpg/5f6521d96dc3004d0b130980920db7c7.jpg)
Visiting Hoi An During Tet: 5 Things To Know
As Tet holiday is the most important period of a year to Vietnamese, just like Christmas and New Year to Weterners, there are some notices for travellers who want to travel to Hoi An during this holiday to avoid unpleasant things happen.
![Year Of The Snake - 2013, 2025, 2037](jpg/3c1372287a1806ffb01af87610ed2d76.jpg)
Year Of The Snake - 2013, 2025, 2037
Although to many people, snake is associated with venoms and danger, in Vietnam, snake is considered a symbol of luck. 2013 is thus believed by many a year of prosperity and peace.
![Year Of The Horse - 2014, 2026, 2038](jpg/c6561a269e186d08fb4a7bc8e0f83ca6.jpg)
Year Of The Horse - 2014, 2026, 2038
Horse represents pace and enthusiasm, so many people has strong belief that 2014 – The Year of Horse – might be a year of rapid development and prosperity.
![Year Of The Goat - 2015, 2027, 2039](jpg/93feb8774e9709407ba7972f3debcd34.jpg)
Year Of The Goat - 2015, 2027, 2039
Learn more about Tet 2015 and Year of the Goat's symbolic value in Vietnam.
![Year Of The Monkey - 2016, 2028, 2040](jpg/6f10df929683fbf19f7e1825d5b278bd.jpg)
Year Of The Monkey - 2016, 2028, 2040
For Vietnamese kids, monkey is probably the most familiar animal. Monkey is often thought of as a smart and fast animal which now exists either in a circus or in rural rainforests.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tet often last in Vietnam?
Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, usually lasts for 7-9 days. However, the preparations for Tet can last for several weeks and the holiday spirit can be felt even longer. The official dates of Tet are determined by the lunar calendar, so it can fall on different days each year.
- 2018: 7 days
- 2019: 9 days
- 2020: 7 days
- 2021: 7 days
- 2022: 9 days
When is Vietnamese Tet 2024?
Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, for the year 2024 is expected to begin on Saturday, Feb 10, 2024 and end on Monday, Feb 19, 2024 (9 consecutive days off). Tet is based on the lunar calendar and is generally set by the government office one month prior to the holiday. However, due to its lunar nature, the exact dates may still vary slightly.
What are interesting facts about Vietnamese new year holiday?
Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and wishing for good luck in the new year. Some fun facts about Tet include:
- Tet usually falls in late January or early February and lasts for several days.
- People in Vietnam clean their homes and decorate with flowers, especially the yellow apricot blossom, to welcome the new year.
- Red envelopes filled with money are given to children and unmarried adults as a symbol of good luck.
- Traditional foods are prepared, such as banh chung (sticky rice cakes), and savory meat dishes.
- It is traditional to visit relatives and friends during Tet, and many people take time off work to do so.
- Many traditional games and activities are played, such as lion dancing and kite flying.
How many days are stores closed during Tet?
It really depends on the store owners. Vietnamese small businesses are very strict about their reopening day during the new year, wishing for a lucky and prosperous year ahead. They may visit a fortune teller or check the lunar calendar book and pick the date that best match their zodiac. Some may open on the first day of the year, others will wait until the tenth or even after the First Full Moon Festival (Tet Nguyen Tieu).
Are grocery stores open during Tet Holiday?
Some grocery stores such as Aeon Mall only close briefly on the New Year Day's morning and open from noon until late at night. Vinmart store chains often close on the first day and open on the second day of the new year. It is better you avoid visiting the shopping mall or grocery stores within 2-3 days before Tet holiday as they will be jam-packed with locals making their last minute holiday shopping.
When is Tet 2023?
In 2023, the lunar new year eve will fall on January 21 and new year day on January 22. The actual public holiday is from January 19 to January 26. Expect banks, schools and other public institutions to close during this time.
Very nice
YOU HAVE THE WRONG DATES FOR TET 2022!!!!!!
Hi there, the date has been updated. Thanks for your information!
Chuc Mung Nam Moi from France!
Do you know where I can get all ingredients for Banh Chung in California?
This restaurant sells all kinds of Vietnamese food: Kim Huong - 8860 Bolsa Ave, Ste C, Westminster, CA 92683. Cheers
Time in Vietnam
Public Holidays 2023
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![Food for Tet Holiday](jpg/96dbc0e368bd66fcdf08fde146daa503.jpg)
Food for Tet Holiday
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New Year’s Flowers
Traditional flowers for Tet holiday.
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New Year’s Wishes
What people often wish each other
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