Vietnamese New Year 2025

Description

Vietnamese New Year, called Tet, is the biggest holiday in Vietnam. It marks the start of a new year on the lunar calendar. People think of Tet as a fresh beginning for everyone.

Tet usually happens between late January and mid February. The exact day changes each year because it follows the moon. The holiday covers several days when life slows down and people focus on the new year.

Tet is important because it connects families across generations. It is a time to remember ancestors and to be with relatives. Many people see it as a chance to leave behind bad luck.

Tet also has strong cultural meaning for the whole nation. It brings people together and strengthens community bonds. For many Vietnamese, Tet is the most meaningful and eagerly awaited time of year.

Traditions

Before Tet families clean and decorate houses, buy new clothes, and place peach or apricot blossoms and kumquat trees. Shops sell red envelopes called li xi. People hang red and gold items to invite good fortune.

Families cook and eat special foods together. Banh chung or banh tet, sticky rice, boiled chicken, pickled onions, and spring rolls are common. Home altars get fruit, flowers, and incense as offerings to ancestors.

Streets fill with lion dances and cultural performances. Fireworks or displays appear where allowed. People visit relatives and neighbors to give wishes and li xi. Children play, sing, and receive praise and small gifts.

Travel Tips

Expect shops, banks, and some restaurants to close or have short hours during Tet. Travel is very busy on the days before and after the holiday. Book trains, buses, and flights early and carry cash in case ATMs are closed.

Join public events like lanterns or fireworks in main squares, but stay with crowds and follow police directions. Respect quiet hours and private homes. Eat at open eateries, visit parks, and bring a simple gift if invited, to enjoy the holiday safely and kindly.