Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year)
The Lunar New Year in Vietnam, known as Tết Nguyên Đán or simply Tết, is the most important and widely celebrated festival in the country. It marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new lunar year, typically falling between late January and early February, depending on the lunar calendar. The celebration is filled with a variety of traditions, customs, and symbolic rituals that reflect Vietnamese cultural, spiritual, and family values.
Historical and Cultural Significance
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Origin: Tết is rooted in Vietnam's agricultural past, where it marked the end of winter and the beginning of a new farming cycle. Traditionally, it was a time to pay respects to the earth, ancestors, and gods, seeking their blessings for prosperity and health in the new year.
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Spiritual Importance: The Vietnamese believe that the first days of the year set the tone for the rest of the year. Therefore, Tết is seen as a time for renewal, where people settle debts, resolve conflicts, and prepare for new beginnings.
Symbolism and Meaning
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Renewal and Prosperity: Tết symbolizes leaving behind the old and welcoming new beginnings. It’s a time of renewal, where people clear out the negativity of the past year and hope for prosperity in the coming one.
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Family: Above all, Tết is about family. The entire celebration emphasizes familial bonds, respect for elders and ancestors, and unity.
Tết Preparations
Cleaning and Decorating the Home
01.
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Cleaning: Homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad luck from the previous year. This also symbolizes making room for good fortune in the coming year. During the first few days of Tết, it is forbidden to clean, sweep, or take out the trash, as this is believed to sweep away the good luck.
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Decorating: Houses are decorated with red and yellow, which are considered auspicious colors. Common decorations include:Kumquat trees: Symbolizing prosperity and good health.Peach blossoms (in the North) and apricot blossoms (in the South): Representing growth and renewal.Red banners with phrases like "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" (Happy New Year) or "An Khang Thịnh Vượng" (Peace and Prosperity).
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Offerings and Altars
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Families prepare offerings to their ancestors, including fruits, cakes, and flowers, which are placed on ancestral altars. It is believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors return home to celebrate Tết with their descendants.
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The Kitchen Gods (Ông Táo) are honored in a ceremony where people burn offerings and send them to heaven, where they will report to the Jade Emperor about the family's affairs.
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Tết Market
In the lead-up to the festival, Tết markets are set up across cities and villages, where people buy everything from food ingredients to decorations. These markets are colorful and bustling, reflecting the excitement and preparation for the holiday.
Food Traditions
Tết Celebration
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Family Gatherings
Tết is a time for reunions, and families, even those who live far away, make efforts to return home. The first days of the New Year are reserved for visiting immediate family members, while subsequent days are for visiting extended family, friends, and neighbors.
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Ancestral Worship
On the first day, families pay respect to their ancestors with offerings placed on altars. This is a way of showing gratitude and asking for blessings in the new year.
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Traditional Games and Cultural Performances
Lion dances, dragon dances, and folk games such as bamboo swings, human chess, and tug-of-war are organized in public spaces.
Villages often host festivals with traditional games like đánh đu (bamboo swings), đấu vật (wrestling), and more.
New Year's Day
The First Day of Tết (Mùng 1) is the most important day, and several customs and taboos are observed.
01.
First Visitor of the Year (Xông Đất)
The first person to enter a home on New Year's Day is considered crucial, as their personality and fortune are believed to affect the household’s luck for the entire year. Families often choose someone with a good track record of success and happiness to be the first visitor.
Some families even invite a specific individual with favorable characteristics to ensure good fortune.
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New Clothes and Red Envelopes (Lì Xì)
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Taboos
People wear new clothes, especially in bright colors like red and gold, which symbolize good fortune, joy, and prosperity. Children and younger family members often receive new clothes, as well as small gifts of money called Lì Xì (lucky money), given in red envelopes.
Avoid arguments: Raising one's voice or fighting during Tết is believed to bring misfortune for the year.
No sweeping: Sweeping the house during the first days of Tết is forbidden because it may sweep away the family's good luck.
No borrowing or lending money: Borrowing or lending money at the beginning of the year is seen as a bad omen for financial luck.
Traditional Clothing
The Áo Dài (the traditional Vietnamese outfit) is often worn during festivals like Tết (Lunar New Year), weddings, and other formal occasions. It represents elegance, modesty, and the timeless beauty of Vietnamese women.
For Women
The women's Áo Dài consists of a long, fitted tunic with long sleeves that flows down to the ankles, worn over loose-fitting pants. The tunic is typically tailored to hug the body, with side slits that reach the waist, allowing for movement and comfort. It can be made from silk or other luxurious fabrics and is often adorned with intricate embroidery, floral patterns, or symbols of Vietnamese culture.
For Men
The men's Áo Dài is slightly looser than the women's version and is often worn for special occasions like weddings or festivals. It is also long, typically extending to the knees or mid-thigh, and is usually worn over trousers. Traditional men's Áo Dài may come in bold colors like blue, gold, or black, with subtle patterns.
