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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.


5 Things You Should Know About Visiting Vietnam During Tet
Travel Tips

5 Things You Should Know About Visiting Vietnam During Tet

Vietnam Online creates this guide as a special early gift for those visiting Vietnam during the New year, in the hope that upon leaving, many will say

Tet 2021: Snapshots From Around The Country
Tet By Year

Tet 2021: Snapshots From Around The Country

2021 probably goes down in history as one of the most different Tet in Vietnam. Take a look at snapshots from all over the country.

How Vietnamese Families Spend Their Tet Days
Local Customs

How Vietnamese Families Spend Their Tet Days

In Vietnam, there could be no other occasions more special than Tet for all members in a family to unite and enjoy a wide range of hilarious activities during the holiday. Below are the top five most preferable Tet’s activities Vietnamese people often do with family.

Vietnam's Most Common Seeds & Nuts For New Year
Tet Food

Vietnam's Most Common Seeds & Nuts For New Year

During Tet, every family in Vietnam prepares a special tray of snack to offer guests, containing a variety candies, biscuits, jam, fruits; and roasted nuts are indispensable components off the tray.

Essenstial Vietnamese New Year's Food
Tet Food

Essenstial Vietnamese New Year's Food

Vietnamese people have a very good habit of saving, which are reflected by the regular meals – rice with a main dishes (meat or fish/shrimp), a vegetable food and a bowl of soup.

Vietnamese Pickled Onions (Hanh Muoi)
Tet Food

Vietnamese Pickled Onions (Hanh Muoi)

According to Vietnamese perspective, people may suffer from the hunger all year round but they always try their best to be full at Tet, it is true even for the poorest people.

Boiled Chicken - A Simple yet Unique Taste of Vietnamese food
Tet Food

Boiled Chicken - A Simple yet Unique Taste of Vietnamese food

Living in a cradle of the wet rice civilization, Vietnamese has a deep connection with nature and to them, besides the buffalo, chicken is one of the six most familiar animals (including: chicken, pig, goat, buffalo, and horse).

Tet in Ho Chi Minh City - What to do?
Travel Tips

Tet in Ho Chi Minh City - What to do?

Tet celebration in Vietnam starts on the 1st day of Lunar calendar and usually lasts for 3 days. Before Tet holidays, people start having days off from December 26th to tidy up and decorate their houses. The work schedule are normally back to track at January 5th of Lunar Calendar.

Do and Don't During Tet holiday in Vietnam
Local Customs

Do and Don't During Tet holiday in Vietnam

There are many customs in Vietnam dictating what to do and what not to do during these days. Being a traveller, you may choose to observe these rules, especially if you invited to a Vietnamese family during Tet.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City During Tet: 7 Things To Keep In Mind
Travel Tips

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City During Tet: 7 Things To Keep In Mind

In order to have the best Tet experience in Ho Chi Minh city, read these useful tips shared by locals and experienced travellers to ensure a smooth trip during the holidays.

Red sticky rice- Xôi Gấc- An Essence of Vietnamese Tet
Tet Food

Red sticky rice- Xôi Gấc- An Essence of Vietnamese Tet

It seems to look like sticky rice, but its bloody red color makes it so bizarre. That is “xoi gac”- the unique red sticky rice that people can find nowhere else in the world except for Vietnam!

Tet- A Unique Vietnam's Celebration
Tet Essentials

Tet- A Unique Vietnam's Celebration

Vietnamese Tet, an eventful holiday in Vietnamese culture, often takes place during the first week of the new year in Lunar Calendar.

Bánh Tét - Essential to Tet in the South of Vietnam
Tet Food

Bánh Tét - Essential to Tet in the South of Vietnam

Banh Tet, a representative cake in the South Vietnam, can be easily found at any house during Tet.

Mung Bean Pudding - Vietnamese Che Kho
Tet Food

Mung Bean Pudding - Vietnamese Che Kho

To many Hanoian generations, mung bean pudding has become a familiar dish which always presents on the ancestors’ altar at New Year’s Eve.

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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.

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M
Momar Mbergan

Very nice

1 year, 4 months ago
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donald nguyen

YOU HAVE THE WRONG DATES FOR TET 2022!!!!!!

1 year, 4 months ago
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M
Mai

Hi there, the date has been updated. Thanks for your information!

1 year, 4 months ago
1
N donald nguyen replied - 1 reply
F
Frank

Chuc Mung Nam Moi from France!

2 years, 3 months ago
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T
Ngoc Tran

Do you know where I can get all ingredients for Banh Chung in California?

2 years, 4 months ago
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N
Namia

This restaurant sells all kinds of Vietnamese food: Kim Huong - 8860 Bolsa Ave, Ste C, Westminster, CA 92683. Cheers

2 years, 4 months ago
2
T Ngoc Tran replied - 1 reply

17:04 Saturday, June 10, 2023 (GMT+7)
Time in Vietnam

Public Holidays 2023

New Year's Day Sun, Jan 01
Vietnamese New Year's Eve Sat, Jan 21
Lunar New Year (Tết) Sun, Jan 22
Hùng Kings' Festival Mon, May 01
Reunification Day Sun, Apr 30
Labour Day Mon, May 01
Independence Day of Vietnam Sat, Sep 02

Insider Guides

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