How do Vietnamese people celebrate Tet?

Question

I heard that Tet is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. What are the traditions, customs, and foods associated with this celebration?

Answer 1

Tết Nguyên Đán, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. Our family starts preparing weeks in advance by deep cleaning the house, paying off debts, and buying new clothes to welcome the new year with a fresh start. A big part of Tết is preparing bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) and bánh tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake), which we make together as a family. On New Year's Eve, we have a big feast, light incense to honor our ancestors, and watch the fireworks. The first day of Tết is spent visiting elders and receiving lì xì (red envelopes with lucky money) from older family members. The following days are filled with visiting friends, enjoying festive food, and attending local celebrations.

Answer 2

For me, Tết is about food! It's the only time of year when I get to eat so many delicious traditional dishes. Besides bánh chưng and bánh tét, we enjoy thịt kho hột vịt (braised pork with eggs), nem rán (fried spring rolls), and canh khổ qua nhồi thịt (bitter melon stuffed with pork). My favorite treat is mứt Tết, which includes candied fruits like coconut, ginger, and kumquat. I also love how everyone is so happy and generous during Tết, always exchanging well wishes and inviting each other for tea and snacks. Businesses close, and for a few days, the whole country is just focused on celebrating and being with loved ones.

Answer 3

As a child, my favorite part of Tết was receiving lì xì and playing traditional games like bầu cua cá cọp (a dice betting game) and đánh bài (card games) with my cousins. The streets are beautifully decorated with lanterns, and everyone wears áo dài, the traditional Vietnamese outfit. We always go to the local flower market to buy peach blossoms and kumquat trees, which symbolize prosperity and luck. Our family also follows the tradition of cúng giao thừa (New Year's Eve offerings), where we prepare a tray of food and incense to invite our ancestors to celebrate Tết with us. The first few days of the new year are filled with visiting relatives, exchanging blessings, and enjoying delicious food.

Answer 4

Tết is a time when we forget about the worries of the past year and look forward to a new beginning. In my family, we take part in cúng ông Công, ông Táo (Kitchen Gods' farewell ceremony) a week before Tết, sending them off to heaven on a carp, as they report to the Jade Emperor about our family's affairs. On New Year's Eve, we stay up late to watch fireworks and listen to the president's New Year speech on TV. The morning of the first day is very special because we choose the best outfit, greet our parents with lời chúc Tết (New Year wishes), and receive lì xì. The atmosphere is so lively, with lion dances, dragon performances, and the sounds of firecrackers in some places.

Answer 5

Tết is not just about celebrations, but also about remembering our roots. One of the most meaningful traditions is tảo mộ, where we visit the graves of our ancestors before Tết to clean them and offer incense. It’s a way to express gratitude and show respect for those who came before us. Another important tradition is kiêng kỵ (taboos during Tết), such as avoiding breaking things, not sweeping the house (so you don’t "sweep away" luck), and choosing carefully who is the first person to enter the house. It’s amazing how Tết blends old customs with modern fun, making it a truly special time of year.

Answer 6

For me, Tết is all about family reunions and traditions. My grandparents live in the countryside, so our entire extended family gathers at their house a few days before the new year. We spend time preparing mâm cỗ Tết (a traditional feast) with dishes like boiled chicken, pickled vegetables, and sticky rice cakes. One of the most exciting parts of Tết is xông đất, where the first visitor of the new year is believed to bring luck for the whole year. We also visit temples to pray for health, happiness, and prosperity. The atmosphere during Tết is so warm and joyful, with vibrant decorations, red banners with calligraphy, and the sweet scent of hoa mai (yellow apricot blossoms) and hoa đào (peach blossoms).