How to Celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet: Traditions, Culture, and Family Ties
The Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tết (Tết), is one of the most important traditional holidays in Vietnamese culture.
Similar to the Chinese New Year, Vietnam celebrates the new year according to the lunar calendar.
This festival has become a thread of deep family, tradition, and cultural ties in the hearts of Vietnamese people. Tet, which originated during the Chinese Spring Festival and is celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar, always brings a fresh and special feeling because its date changes every year.
In this article, we'll discuss Tet's history, traditions, methods of celebration, and cultural significance in detail.
Does the Vietnamese Lunar New Year change every year?!
The date of Tet, which is based on the lunar calendar, changes every year, and the number of days of the Tet holiday also changes based on government announcements.
Every year, decisions are made around October of the previous year.
From when until when is the Tet holiday in 2024?
7 days from 2024/2/8 (Thu) to 2/14 (Wed).
Since January 1 of the 2024 lunar calendar falls on 2024/2/10 (Sat), 2/9 (Friday) is New Year's Eve in 2024, and 2/10 (Sat) is “Tet” in 2024It will be.
Depending on the company, there are many cases where vacations are longer than the Tet schedule, so be careful if you are traveling or on a business trip.
Why does Vietnam celebrate Lunar New Year?
The lunar calendar, which is the standard for “Tet,” indicates the solar lunar calendar.
Currently, most countries in the world have adopted the solar calendar, and it is the world standard calendar, but in terms of culture, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Islamic countries centered on China still use the lunar calendar.
Regarding Lunar New Year, in addition to Vietnam, countries influenced by Chinese culture, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea, and regions with many Chinese people still have the custom of celebrating Lunar New Year.
The Vietnamese lunar calendar is basically the same as the Chinese one. However, since there is a slight gap between the Chinese and Vietnamese lunar calendars, the date of New Year's Eve differs depending on the country, even if it is called Lunar New Year.
The origin of Tet and its historical background
To understand how Tet became one of the most important traditional holidays in Vietnam, we need to look at its origin and history.
Tet is an important milestone for Vietnamese people, and it's a hopeful time to heal the tiredness of the year, gather families, and welcome the new year.
This festival, which has been handed down since ancient times, has nurtured many unique traditions and customs over time.
The Tet tradition and its evolution
Various traditional customs carried out during the Tet period can be seen in every home in Vietnam.
It involves cleaning the house, making offerings to the ancestors' altars, and preparing special meals. Also, at this time of year, many families make traditional foods such as “bánh chưng (Bánh chưng).”
These foods are important elements that symbolize Tet and symbolize family ties.
Home Decorations and Gifts in Tet
Decorating homes beautifully is also an important tradition in Tet.
During the Tet season, flower markets with bright flowers are held all over the town, and it is bustling with many people. Hoa Mai (yellow apricot flower) and Hoa Dao (peach blossom) herald the arrival of spring and a new beginning in the home as flowers that symbolize the new year in the south and north, respectively.
In addition, kumquats with lots of round, cute fruits are also displayed on the eaves, brightly decorating the city at this time of year. Peach blossoms are said to ward off evil, and yellow plum blossoms mean increased luck with money, and kumquat trees grow a lot of yellow fruits, which means prosperous offspring and increased luck with money.
Additionally, the custom of giving leases (money in a red envelope) is a beautiful way to wish for good luck and prosperity, and is a symbolic act of sharing happiness from elders to young people, and from managers to subordinates.
Travel during Tet and what to keep in mind
As we welcome Tet, we need to be especially careful when traveling within Vietnam.
During the Tet period, many Vietnamese return to their hometowns to reunite with their families, so transportation is more crowded than usual.
Also,Since many restaurants and tourist sites are closed, it is important for travelers to check their accommodation and meal plans beforehand.
Prices are also rising, so it's a good idea to make room in your budget plan.
The climate during the Tet period and how to choose a travel destination
Vietnam is a country long from north to south, and the climate during the Tet period varies greatly from region to region. While southern areas such as Ho Chi Minh City are warm and comfortable, northern and central areas such as Hanoi and Danang are relatively cool and can also be affected by the rainy season.
When planning a trip, it's important to consider the climate of the region you're visiting and dress and prepare appropriately.
The depth of Vietnamese culture seen through Tet
Tet means more than just a New Year's celebration for Vietnamese people.
This time of deepening family ties, honoring ancestors, and celebrating hope for the new year symbolizes the depth and uniqueness of Vietnamese culture.
In Vietnam, where tradition and modernity intersect, Tet continues to have an unchanging value, while new customs and ways of celebrating have arisen. Through this festival, Vietnamese people have an opportunity to confirm their identity and renew ties with their families and communities.
Lastly
Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tet is an event central to Vietnamese culture as a festival celebrating its rich traditions, family ties, and hope for a new beginning.
A deep understanding of Tet leads to understanding the values and culture that are deeply rooted in the minds and lives of Vietnamese people.
The way Tet is celebrated may vary from region to region, but at its core is love for family, respect for ancestors, and hope for the new year.
These traditional values continue to be cherished in the lives of Vietnamese people even as times change.
Written by
- WellBe Inc.
- WellBe operating company
- WellBe Inc.
- WellBe operating company
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