The Lunar New Year in Vietnam is known as Tet (Tết Nguyên Đán). Rather than just an important date to be noted in the calendar, it’s one thing that marks the culture that is so much more different from the rest. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated with a lot of enjoyment, family, and old traditions. If you would like to see culture come alive, going through Tet on a Vietnam tour package is a perfect way to get a glimpse into the country’s rich history.
A Time for Renewing and Being Together
The VN people bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with hopes for health, happiness, and wealth in Tet. It is far more than a holiday; rather, it serves as a spiritual journey and is filled with traditions, celebrations, and things that are meant to be done.
Key parts of the Tet events are:
- The family gathering gives them a chance to remember loved ones and honour their ancestors.
- The houses are cleaned and sparkling in the spring. People clean all the bad luck out and make room for the good luck coming in.
- Good luck and plenty of money are represented by lots of bright kumquat trees, peach blossoms, and red boxes around.
Preparing for Tet
A few weeks prior to Lunar New Year, the whole nation gets busy and the days preceding Tet are no less exciting than the holiday.
1. Preparing for Tet:
- Malls and markets are filled with people purchasing:
- Old foods, such as bánh chưng (square, sticky rice cakes) and pickled vegetables.
- Decorations, such as calligraphy scrolls and red flags.
2. Eradication of debt and repair of broken relationships
It is essential to pay bills and resolve relationships before Tet begins so that old arguments do not accompany you into the new year.
Traditions and customs for Tet
- Vietnamese people pay homage to their ancestors, nature, and traditional values through rituals and traditions that they follow during Tet.
- Some of the important Tet traditions are: On Giao Thua (New Year’s Eve), families make offerings at midnight to honour their elders and pray for good luck.
- The first visitor of the year brings either good or bad luck to the house. Lucky people are sometimes requested to be the first guests with a family.
- Children and teens who are more than 60 years old are given red envelopes full of money, showing them that they have been given gifts and good luck.
- When people visit pagodas, they wish for health, wealth, and peace in the new year.
Tet foods
Tet is a time when Vietnam’s traditional dishes come alive with dishes that symbolise hopes for wealth, happiness, and long life.
Must-Try Tet Recipes
You can eat Bánh Tét, a sticky rice cake. They are offered to ancestors as a form of thanks.
Pickled vegetables are a good way to balance out heavy Tet meals.
- Candied fruits are a sweet treat that stands for the hope of a good year ahead.
- Happy Celebrations All Over Vietnam The spirit of Tet spreads easily, and cities, towns, and villages are all lit up with happy celebrations.
The best parts of the Tet celebrations for tourists are:
- Street stalls: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have vibrant flower stores.
- Fireworks Displays: Brilliant fireworks usher in the new year.
- Cultural Events: Folklores and traditional lion dances make the mood merry and jovial.
Tet fairs are great places to try local treats and buy gifts.
Also Read: 8 Famous Vietnamese Foods to Try On Your Trip!
Take a trip to Vietnam during Tet
When you book a Vietnam tour package you can discover:
- The country’s many rituals and habits.
- Authentic Vietnamese food is available.
- Take in a cultural atmosphere that is full of joy and colour.
- Take part in events and activities in your neighbourhood.
Take on the Tet spirit
Tet is a time to celebrate and honour life’s journey. Tet is a great time to learn about other cultures, whether you’re eating bánh chưng with locals, watching the lively street parades, or feeling spiritual at a church.
You can enjoy this magical time of year and make memories that will last a lifetime with carefully chosen Vietnam tour packages. Why wait then? Get ready to enjoy the spirit of rebirth, joy, and tradition on your trip to Vietnam during Tet!
Also, have a look at our Vietnam tour packages with Indian food!