Tết

The Tết festival, often referred to as Vietnamese New Year or Tết Holiday, is a major celebration in Vietnamese culture that heralds the arrival of spring according to the Vietnamese calendar. This festive period typically falls in January or February on the Gregorian calendar. Tết is celebrated annually by the Vietnamese people and follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, often coinciding with Chinese New Year unless a one-hour time difference causes the new moon to appear on different days in Vietnam and China.

During Tết, Vietnamese families engage in a variety of traditions. They prepare special holiday foods such as bánh tét, bánh chưng, and canh măng, clean their homes, and participate in rituals like ancestor worship and giving lucky money to children and elders. This festival is a time for family reunions, pilgrimages, and casting off past misfortunes while looking forward to a brighter year. Tết is also known as "Hội xuân" or the spring festival.

Tết celebrations vary across different regions and religious communities in Vietnam and are divided into three periods: Tất Niên (Penultimate New Year's Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year's Eve), and Tân Niên (the New Year). On the first day of Tết, families gather, children receive red envelopes filled with money, and traditional greetings are exchanged. It is believed that the first visitor of the new year will determine the family's fortune for the entire year. Sweeping during Tết is considered bad luck as it symbolizes sweeping away fortune.

Throughout the festival, people visit relatives and friends, partake in traditional activities, and enjoy public performances. The streets buzz with the sounds of firecrackers, drums, and lion dances meant to ward off evil spirits. Homes are adorned with traditional decorations like cây nêu and flowers such as Yellow Apricot blossoms and peach blossoms.

Common Tết greetings include "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" (Happy New Year) and various wishes for prosperity and good luck. Food is central to Tết celebrations, with dishes like bánh chưng, hạt dưa, and thịt kho nước dừa taking center stage. Various games and entertainment activities, including traditional games and competitions, add to the festive atmosphere.

Fireworks displays, comedy shows, and other forms of entertainment also play a significant role in Tết celebrations. This festival is a time of joy, family bonding, and hope for a prosperous year ahead in Vietnamese culture.