{"id":17055,"date":"2023-11-10T09:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T09:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thienxuantravel.com\/?page_id=17055"},"modified":"2023-12-15T07:10:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T07:10:57","slug":"tet-holidays-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thienxuantravel.com\/en\/tet-holidays-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Tet Holidays in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"
Lunar New Year or T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n, is Vietnam\u2019s most significant celebration. Across Vietnam, during this time families reunite and honour their ancestors, while praying for luck, prosperity and health in the New Year. The public holiday may only run for one week, but in reality, T\u1ebft celebrations last much longer. If you\u2019re visiting Vietnam around Lunar New Year, here\u2019s what you can expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storied by Vietnam Tourism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A New Start<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage by Huu Duc DO from Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
T\u1ebft marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the beginning of spring in the North of Vietnam. The holiday traces back to the early days of Vietnamese settlements in the Red River Delta, when T\u1ebft meant a new cycle of wet rice cultivation. Today, the meaning of the holiday runs much deeper than its farming roots: Vietnamese culture emphasises the importance of a fortuitous fresh start, surrounded by family and loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting ready<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Throughout Vietnam, preparations for T\u1ebft begin weeks in advance, as cleaning, decorating, and sprucing up is a big part of the holiday tradition. Vietnamese shop for new clothes, get haircuts, cook special dishes, buy flowers, and even wash their motorcycles. Each home and office will decorate with signs of \u2018Ch\u00fac M\u1eebng N\u0103m M\u1edbi\u2019, and kumquat trees or peach blossoms will be set in a place of honour. The bigger the kumquat trees, the more prosperity and health the family will receive in the new year. Streets burst with colour as these trees are transported on the back of motorbikes. In anticipation of the long holiday, a festive spirit takes hold of the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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TIP: T\u1ebft celebrations begin three days before Lunar New Year and last a few days after. Try to avoid travelling around Vietnam at this time, as transport centres will be overflowing and tickets can be sold out. In 2021, the first day of the Lunar New Year is Friday, February 12. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Shopping list<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In the days before T\u1ebft, markets and streets are jam-packed with shoppers. Busy housewives pick up foil, paper garlands, and auspicious red and gold decorations shaped like fish, coins, firecrackers, and blossoms. Each lunar year is represented by a zodiac animal, as reflected in glossy stickers or on paper lanterns. Locals bring home stacks of red bao l\u00ec x\u00ec – lucky money envelopes – which are customarily gifted by elders to younger members of the family, or by managers to employees. It\u2019s a sign of maturity for young Vietnamese to stop receiving l\u00ec x\u00ec and start giving it instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\nImage by Quang Nguyen vinh from Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Holiday cooking<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Food — especially the T\u1ebft cake b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/em> — is an important component of the celebrations. According to folklore, the last H\u00f9ng King could not decide which of his sons would take the throne, so he held a competition to find which son could bring him the best dish in the world. One son stood out, as he presented these two savoury rice cakes representing heaven and earth. These humble dishes impressed the king who then awarded him the throne. Across Vietnam, families will sit down to a day-long feast, and present candied fruits in beautiful boxes for guests to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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TIP: In Hanoi, you can buy b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng at the Qu\u1ed1c H\u01b0\u01a1ng Shop on H\u00e0ng B\u00f4ng Street, which has been selling these cakes for 200 years.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A traditional T\u1ebft dinner is an important occasion for family members to gather and talk about the past year. Each region has its own version of the meal. In the North, nem <\/em>(fried spring rolls), b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/em> (sticky rice cake), and whole boiled chicken are some essential dishes. A Southern T\u1ebft meal is made of caramelised pork, bitter melon soup, and chicken salad, among other things. Many dishes symbolise the passing of hardship, as well as new hope for the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
T\u1ebft in Hanoi<\/h3>\n\n\n\nImage by Thuy Tran from Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A stroll around the Qu\u1ea3ng B\u00e1 Flower Market near West Lake is unforgettable the week before T\u1ebft. Shoppers bundled up against the chill buy the finest pink peach boughs they can afford to bring luck in the New Year. T\u1ebft Eve is best witnessed in the alleys of the Old Quarter, where hundreds of makeshift altars appear on the curbs, set with offerings of fruit and boiled chicken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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TIP: Fireworks will be lit throughout major cities of Vietnam on T\u1ebft Eve, so find a place outdoors and watch the sky light up at midnight. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
T\u1ebft in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Zuyet Awarmatik on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNg\u01b0\u1eddi d\u00e2n TP.HCM n\u00f4 n\u1ee9c \u0111\u1ebfn H\u1ed9i hoa Xu\u00e2n \u1edf Tao \u0110\u00e0n \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u1ee5p \u1ea3nh, ch\u01a1i t\u1ebft | Ngu\u1ed3n B\u00e1o Thanh Ni\u00ean<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In the South, yellow ochna flowers represent the Lunar New Year. T\u1ebft in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City is no less colourful than in the North. Nguy\u1ec5n Hu\u1ec7 Street in District 1 hosts the country\u2019s largest flower show. Join the throngs \u2013 families in new clothes and young women in \u00e1o d\u00e0is wielding selfie-sticks \u2014 in admiring the impressive floral displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\nH\u1ed9i hoa Xu\u00e2n Tao \u0110\u00e0n | Ngu\u1ed3n B\u00e1o Thanh Ni\u00ean<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
T\u1ebft Tips for Travellers<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Christian Berg | Vietnam Tourism<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
People from all over the country will return to their hometowns for the T\u1ebft holiday, creating heavy demand for bus, train and plane tickets, as well as hotel rooms. If you must travel during this time, try to book transportation and accommodation far in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With many staff gone home to their families, businesses and restaurants typically shut for at least the first few days of T\u1ebft. Expect cities to be quiet during this time, as well as limited dining and shopping options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first few days of T\u1ebft are a rare chance to see Vietnam\u2019s big cities empty of noise and traffic. Take advantage of the quiet and explore by bicycle, scooter or on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhoto by Tony Pham on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
You may be invited into a family\u2019s home for T\u1ebft which is a huge honour. During T\u1ebft, it\u2019s important not to drop by any Vietnamese home without an invitation, as the first guests of the year are specially chosen to bring good luck to each household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warm wishes are much appreciated around and during T\u1ebft. On the first days of the new year, smile and say \u201cCh\u00fac M\u1eebng N\u0103m M\u1edbi\u201d (Happy New Year) to everyone you see!<\/p>\n\n\n\nTet Flowers, Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Thi\u00ean Xu\u00e2n Travel<\/strong> Park 2, 208 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam \ud83d\udce8 booking@thienxuantravel.com \ud83d\udcde+84 888 890 898 \u2013 0938 558 228<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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