Discover how Vietnamese celebrate Tet through its ancient origins, cultural meanings, sacred rituals, and traditional customs. A complete guide for travelers visiting Vietnam during Lunar New Year.

Tet, officially known as Tet Nguyen Dan, is the most significant festival in Vietnam. More than just a holiday, Tet marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes renewal, harmony, family unity, and gratitude to ancestors.

For international travelers, experiencing Tet offers a rare opportunity to witness the purest expression of Vietnamese cultural identity.

1. What Is Tet Nguyen Dan? An Introduction to Vietnam’s Traditional Lunar New Year

Tet Nguyen Dan, commonly known as Tet, the Lunar New Year, or the Vietnamese Traditional New Year, is the most important and meaningful holiday in Vietnam. It takes place on the first day of the lunar calendar (1/1 Lunar Year) and marks the sacred transition from the old year to the new one.

If pronounced according to its original Sino-Vietnamese reading, the festival should be called “Tiet Nguyen Dan.” In this context, “Tiet” refers to a seasonal period or festival, while “Nguyen” means the beginning and “Dan” means early morning. Together, the phrase represents the very first dawn of a new year.

For Vietnamese people, Tet is considered an essential spiritual celebration and an irreplaceable part of cultural identity. No matter where they live, everyone wishes to return home to be with their family, pay respects to their ancestors, and gather around the warm fire to make banh chung on New Year’s Eve. Beyond the emotional significance, Tet also reflects deep cultural values rooted in Vietnam’s ancient agricultural civilization. It symbolizes unity within families and communities, strengthens the bond between people and their homeland, and represents the harmony between humans and nature.

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2. Origins of Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan originated thousands of years ago from Vietnam’s early agricultural traditions. It began as a spring festival celebrating the end of the harvest and the start of a new farming season, when people thanked the gods of nature and prayed for good fortune. Influenced by the East Asian lunar calendar but shaped by local beliefs, Tet gradually became closely linked to ancestor worship and the legend of the Kitchen Gods, who return to heaven at year’s end to report on each household. Over time, Tet evolved into Vietnam’s most important cultural celebration, symbolizing renewal, family unity, and respect for ancestors.

3. The Meaning of Tet – Vietnam’s Traditional Lunar New Year

3.1 Tet as the Harmony Between Heaven, Earth, and Humanity

Tet Nguyen Dan is not only the transition from the old year to the new one but also a sacred moment when heaven, earth, humans, and the spiritual world come into harmony. In Eastern philosophy, Tet originates from the word “Tiet,” meaning a natural seasonal cycle that follows the movement of the universe through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In Vietnam’s ancient agricultural society, Tet was a time for people to honor natural deities such as the Gods of Earth, Rain, Sun, and Thunder - believed to bring good harvests and a prosperous life. This spiritual connection between humans and nature remains an essential part of Tet today.

3.2 Tet as a Time to Honor Ancestors

Tet is an important occasion for Vietnamese families to express gratitude and respect toward their ancestors. Before New Year’s Eve, families visit ancestral graves, clean the burial site, and offer prayers. On the evening of the 30th (Lunar New Year’s Eve), incense is lit to invite ancestors home to celebrate Tet with their descendants and to bless the family with peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

The Tet altar is carefully arranged with a five-fruit tray, traditional dishes, and fragrant incense, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere in the home.

3.3 Tet as a Symbol of Good Fortune and New Beginnings

Tet represents a fresh start, a moment to let go of the difficulties of the old year and welcome positive energy for the new one. During this time, people visit pagodas to pray for luck, happiness, and protection.

Homes are cleaned and decorated with flowers and red ornaments, symbolizing renewal. Families prepare new clothes, and the joyful spirit of spring fills every corner, helping everyone feel refreshed, optimistic, and ready to embrace the new year.

3.4 Tet as a Time for Family Reunions

Family reunion is one of the most meaningful aspects of Tet. After a busy year of work and travel, family members return home to gather around the festive table, share traditional meals, and enjoy warm moments together.

For those living far from home, Tet is a precious opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, sit by the fire, and cook banh chung, a beloved symbol of Vietnamese New Year.

3.5 Tet as a Celebration of a New Age

In Vietnamese culture, Tet is seen as the shared birthday of all people. It is a time when everyone greets one another with wishes for a joyful and prosperous new age.

Adults give lucky money (lì xì) to children to wish them growth, good behavior, and happiness, while younger generations offer heartfelt wishes of health and longevity to their elders. This exchange of blessings strengthens family bonds and spreads joy throughout the community.

4. Traditional Tet Customs in Vietnam

4.1 Worshiping the Kitchen Gods (Ông Công – Ông Táo)

One of the oldest Tet customs in Vietnam is worshiping the Kitchen Gods. At the end of the year, families clean the kitchen thoroughly and prepare offerings, including fruits, savory dishes, paper money, and live carp, which are released as symbolic messengers. These deities are believed to travel to the Jade Emperor to report the household’s deeds over the past year.

4.2 Making Banh Chung and Banh Tet

During Tet, every family prepares Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake) or Banh Tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake) using banana leaves, sticky rice, mung beans, and pork. These traditional cakes are offered on the ancestral altar and are a must-have in the Tet feast. In rural areas, families often gather together to make these cakes, creating a warm, communal atmosphere that has been cherished for generations.

4.3 Displaying the Five-Fruit Tray (Mâm Ngũ Quả)

The five-fruit tray is placed on the ancestral altar as a symbol of respect and gratitude to ancestors. The types of fruits vary by region: in the North, bananas are essential, while in the South, fruits are arranged according to the saying “cầu dừa đủ xoài sung” (wishing for abundance). Overall, the tray represents prayers for peace, health, and prosperity in the new year.

4.4 Visiting Ancestral Graves (Tảo Mộ)

Before the New Year, families visit ancestral graves to clean the site and offer incense. This custom not only shows respect for deceased family members but also invites ancestors to return home for Tet and bless the family with luck, health, and wealth in the coming year.

4.5 Year-End Offerings and New Year’s Eve Ceremony (Cúng Tất Niên & Giao Thừa)

The year-end offering is a key Tet ritual, performed on the 30th day of the lunar month at the moment of Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve). Families prepare a table with savory dishes and fruits to report to ancestors and deities, wishing for a prosperous and peaceful year ahead.

4.6 First-Footing (Xông Đất)

Xông đất is the tradition where the first person to enter a house after midnight is believed to bring luck for the whole year. If this person’s age and zodiac align well with the household, it is said to ensure prosperity, smooth business, and harmony throughout the year.

4.7 New Year Greetings and Lucky Money (Chúc Tết & Lì Xì)

During Tet, people exchange New Year greetings to wish each other success and happiness. Children give respects to elders, and elders give lucky money (lì xì) to children to wish them health, good behavior, and academic success. This custom is a unique cultural feature of Tet, reflecting family bonds and traditional Vietnamese values.

5. Tips for Traveling During Tet

-   Book accommodations early. Hotels and homestays fill up quickly during Tet, so make reservations well in advance to secure your stay.

-   Expect some shops to close for 2–3 days. Many local businesses, markets, and restaurants close temporarily to celebrate the New Year with their families.

-   Carry cash. ATMs may be crowded or temporarily out of service, so it’s wise to have enough cash on hand.

-   Domestic travel may be busy. Roads, trains, and buses are often crowded in the days leading up to Tet, as many people return to their hometowns.

-   Enjoy the slow, peaceful pace of Tet days. Despite the busy travel period, Tet is a time of calm and family gatherings- take the opportunity to experience the festive atmosphere and local traditions.

Tet Nguyen Dan is more than just the Lunar New Year - it is a celebration of family, tradition, and the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. From honoring ancestors and enjoying traditional foods to experiencing unique customs and vibrant festivities, Tet offers a truly unforgettable glimpse into Vietnamese life. For travelers, visiting Vietnam during Tet is a rare opportunity to witness the warmth, joy, and unity that define this special holiday. Plan ahead, embrace local traditions, and immerse yourself in the festive spirit for a memorable journey into Vietnam’s heart and culture.

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