Introduction to Lunar New Year (Tết)
Lunar New Year, also known as Tết Nguyên Đán or simply Tết, is the most significant
holiday in Vietnam and is celebrated by millions of people across the globe,
particularly in East and Southeast Asia. It marks the first day of the lunar calendar,
usually falling between late January and mid-February, and is a time for family
reunions, honoring ancestors, and welcoming a new year full of hope and prosperity.
For the Vietnamese, Tết is more than just a new year celebration—it’s a deep
cultural tradition that emphasizes renewal, reflection, and the importance of family
and community. The holiday is infused with customs and rituals designed to bring
luck, health, and wealth for the year ahead. These traditions are rooted in ancient
beliefs and have been passed down through generations.
Description of Tết
Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết for short) is the Vietnamese version of Lunar New Year, but
each country in East Asia has its own version with unique customs. In Vietnam, Tết is
celebrated with a combination of joyous festivities, respectful observances, and
family-centric activities. It is also a time to honor the ancestors and pray for their
blessings.
The holiday marks a fresh start, both personally and spiritually. In Vietnamese
culture, the first person to enter a house in the new year is believed to bring either
good or bad fortune, so families often carefully select this person—someone who is
seen as prosperous or successful.
Tết Customs and Traditions
1. Cleaning and Decorating the Home
In the days leading up to Tết, families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away
bad luck and make space for new opportunities. This process, called dọn dẹp nhà
cửa, symbolizes the removal of old energies and is meant to welcome in a fresh
start. Homes are often decorated with peach blossoms (hoa đào), apricot flowers
(hoa mai), and kumquat trees (cây quất), which are believed to bring prosperity and
good fortune.
2. Ancestor Worship and Offerings
A major tradition of Tết is the ancestor worship ceremony. Families prepare
offerings of food, incense, and other symbolic items to honor their ancestors and
invite them back to the household for the New Year. These rituals are performed in
the hope that the spirits of the ancestors will bless the family with health, wealth,
and good fortune.
3. Lucky Money (Lì xì)
A beloved Tết tradition is lì xì, or giving lucky money, usually in red envelopes.
Parents, grandparents, and older relatives give money to children and unmarried
young people as a way to wish them good luck and prosperity. The amount of money
is often a small, symbolic figure, with the number "8" being particularly lucky
because it sounds like the word for wealth (phát). The red color of the envelope
symbolizes good fortune.
4. Food Traditions
Food plays a crucial role in Tết celebrations. Some iconic dishes include:
Bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) and bánh tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake) — these are
essential foods that symbolize the Earth and are typically filled with pork and mung beans.
They represent both the reverence for the Earth and the continuity of family traditions.
Pickled onions (dưa hành) and boiled chicken are other staples that bring balance and flavor
to the holiday feast.
Mứt (candied fruits) are often served as snacks during the Tết holiday, with varieties like
candied coconut, lotus seeds, or kumquat.
5. First Visitor (Xông đất)
The first person who enters the house after midnight is believed to bring good or bad
luck for the year ahead. Families carefully choose a person with good fortune, often
someone who is successful, healthy, and well-liked. This person may be invited into
the home on New Year’s Day to bring positive energy and blessings to the
household.
Activities During Tết: Before, During, and After
Before Tết
Cleaning and preparing: In the lead-up to Tết, families clean their homes, buy new clothes,
and cook a variety of traditional foods. There’s also a sense of urgency to pay off debts and
resolve any conflicts so that the new year starts with a clean slate.
Visiting relatives and friends: People travel to their hometowns to reunite with their
families, sometimes after being away for many months. It’s a time of reunification and
reconnecting with loved ones.
During Tết
Family gatherings: Tết is primarily a family-centered holiday. It’s common for extended
families to gather in one home, share meals, and perform rituals together.
Visiting friends and neighbors: After spending time with immediate family, many people visit
friends, neighbors, and even colleagues to exchange well-wishes and share food and gifts.
Festivals and performances: In larger cities, public celebrations may include dragon dances,
fireworks, and performances of traditional music and dance. In rural areas, you might find
local markets and fairs selling festive goods and foods.
After Tết
Visiting pagodas: On the third day of Tết, many families visit temples or pagodas to pray for
health, happiness, and prosperity. It is a time of reflection and gratitude.
Visiting elders: The post-Tết period is often a time for younger generations to visit older
relatives and continue giving their respects and well-wishes.
New Year’s parties: As the festivities begin to wind down, people may attend parties or
social gatherings to extend the celebration.
Personal Connection to Tết
Tết has always held a deep personal significance in my life. Growing up, I remember
the excitement and joy that filled the air in the days leading up to the holiday. The
smell of fresh bánh chưng being cooked, the sound of my family members laughing
and sharing stories, and the sight of colorful decorations everywhere created a sense
of warmth and community.
For me, Tết is a time of renewal—not just in terms of the new year, but also in terms
of strengthening connections with family and reflecting on the past year. The
emphasis on honoring ancestors always reminds me of the importance of family
history and the value of respect for those who came before us.
The tradition of receiving lì xì as a child was a special highlight. I remember the
excitement of opening the red envelopes and the feeling of being part of a much
larger celebration that spanned generations. As I’ve grown older, the custom of
giving lì xì has taken on a new meaning for me, as I now look forward to offering
those blessings to younger generations.
Tết is also a time for me to pause, slow down, and reflect on what I’ve learned over
the past year. It's a moment to reset, set intentions, and look forward with hope to
the year ahead, with a deep sense of gratitude for both the challenges and joys that
have shaped my life.
In many ways, Tết represents the cycle of life itself—one of constant change,
renewal, and connection. It reminds me that no matter where I am in the world, the
bonds of family and culture can always bring me back to the heart of home.
Speaking Activity: Lunar New Year (Tết)
Introduction to Lunar New Year (Tết)
What is Tết?
Tết, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. It’s the most important holiday
in Vietnam and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in January or
February. It’s a time for families to come together, honor ancestors, and celebrate the start
of a new year filled with good luck and happiness.
Description of Tết
Why is Tết important?
Tết is important because it’s a time to say goodbye to the past year and welcome the new
year with hope and joy. It’s also a time to honor your ancestors and spend time with family
and friends. People believe that the first day of the new year will set the tone for the rest of
the year, so they focus on positive energy and good fortune.
Tết Customs and Traditions
Cleaning and Decorating:
Before Tết, families clean their homes to get rid of bad luck and make room
for good fortune. They decorate their homes with flowers like peach blossoms
(hoa đào) or apricot flowers (hoa mai), which are symbols of luck and
prosperity.
Ancestor Worship:
A key tradition during Tết is to honor ancestors. Families prepare offerings of
food and incense at the family altar to invite their ancestors to come back and
bless the household for the new year.
Lucky Money (Lì Xì):
During Tết, it’s common for older people to give lucky money in red
envelopes to children and younger relatives. This is a symbol of good luck and
prosperity for the coming year.
Activities During Tết
Before Tết:
In the days leading up to Tết, people clean their homes, cook special foods,
and buy new clothes. It’s also a time to visit family members and settle any
debts or disputes to start the new year fresh.
During Tết:
On Tết, families gather to share meals, give lucky money, and enjoy the
company of friends and relatives. Many people visit temples or pagodas to
pray for good health and success in the new year. You may also see dragon
dances and fireworks in the streets.
After Tết:
After the first few days of Tết, it’s common to visit friends, relatives, and
neighbors to wish them well for the new year. People also continue to pray
and make offerings to their ancestors to show gratitude and respect.
Personal Connection to Tết
My Experience with Tết:
For me, Tết has always been a special time to reconnect with family. I remember
the excitement of receiving lucky money and the joy of gathering around the
table to enjoy delicious foods like bánh chưng and mứt (candied fruits). Tết is a
time to reflect on the past year, be grateful for my family, and look forward to
new opportunities. It’s also a reminder of how important it is to honor my
heritage and traditions.
