Vietnam new year holiday

Tết Nguyên Đán, also known as Vietnamese New Year or Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It is a 3- to 7-day celebration that marks the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar Vietnamese calendar. Here are some key facts about the Vietnamese New Year holiday:

Date: Tết usually falls between January 20th and February 20th in the Gregorian calendar.

Preparations: Before Tết, Vietnamese people typically clean their homes, decorate with flowers and decorations, and prepare traditional foods such as banh Chung (square cake) and banh Tet (cylindrical cake).

Traditions:

  1. Family Reunions: Tết is a time for family reunions and gatherings. People often return to their hometowns to spend time with their loved ones.
  2. Visiting Ancestors: Vietnamese people pay respects to their ancestors by visiting their graves, offering incense, and leaving food and drink offerings.
  3. Wearing New Clothes: It's customary to wear new clothes on the first day of Tết to symbolize a fresh start.
  4. Giving and Receiving Money: Adults give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
  5. Traditional Foods: Banh Chung and banh Tet are traditional foods eaten during Tết. Other popular dishes include xôi (sticky rice), bánh chưng (square cake), and bánh tét (cylindrical cake).
  6. Lion Dance and Dragon Dance: These traditional performances are often held during Tết to bring good luck and fortune.

Public Holidays: Tết is a public holiday in Vietnam, and most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed during this period.

Interesting Facts:

  1. Tết is a time for renewal: The Vietnamese New Year is a time for people to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year with hope and optimism.
  2. Tết is a time for forgiveness: Vietnamese people often use Tết as an opportunity to forgive and forget past conflicts and mistakes.
  3. Tết is a time for celebration: Tết is a time for people to come together, enjoy traditional foods, and participate in festive activities such as lion and dragon dances.

Overall, Tết is a significant holiday in Vietnam that is filled with tradition, family, and celebration. It's a time for people to come together, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the new year with hope and optimism.