View source for Tết

{{Short description|Vietnamese New Year celebration}}
{{About|the Vietnamese holiday|the 1968 military operation that began on this holiday|Tet Offensive|other uses|Tet (disambiguation)|other traditions of celebrating lunar new year|Lunar New Year}}
{{Infobox holiday
| type          = Asian Festival
| holiday_name  = Vietnamese New Year<br/>
Tết Nguyên Đán 節元旦
| image         = Xuan 2016 Binh Than, duong nguyen hue, phuong ben nghe, Quận 1, TPHCM, Việt Nam - panoramio.jpg
| official_name = Tết Nguyên Đán
| nickname      = Tết<br/> Lunar New Year (as a collective term including other Asian Lunar New Year festivals, used outside of Asia)
| observedby    = [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]]
| significance  = The first day of the Lunar New Year
| celebrations  = fireworks, family gatherings, family meals, visiting friends' homes on the first day of the new year ({{lang|vi|xông đất}}), visiting friends and relatives, [[ancestor veneration]], giving [[red envelope]]s to children and elderly, and opening a shop
| date          = First day of the first Vietnamese lunisolar month
| frequency     = Annual
| relatedto     = [[Chinese New Year]], [[Japanese New Year]], [[Korean New Year]], [[Tsagaan Sar|Mongolian New Year]], [[Losar|Tibetan New Year]], [[Taiwanese New Year]]
| imagesize     = 300px
| caption       = Tết decorations in the streets of [[Ho Chi Minh City]]
| longtype      = Religious, cultural, and national
| date2026      = 17 February
}}
{{Contains special characters|Nom}}

'''Tết''' ({{IPA|vi|tet̚˧˦|lang}}, {{Lang-vi-hantu|節|lit=tiết/tết|translit=}}), short for '''{{lang|vi|Tết Nguyên Đán|italic=no}}''' ({{Lang-vi-hantu|節元旦|lit=Tiết Nguyên Đán}}; {{lit|Feast of the first day}}) is the most important celebration in [[Vietnamese culture]]. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on the [[Vietnamese calendar]] and usually falls between late January and 20 February in the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tết Nguyên Đán The Vietnamese New Year |url=http://www.queensbotanical.org/education/56902/57016/vietnam|access-date=12 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527124500/http://www.queensbotanical.org/education/56902/57016/vietnam |archive-date=27 May 2013 }}</ref>

{{lang|vi|Tết Nguyên Đán|italic=no}} is not to be confused with [[Tết Trung Thu]]. "''{{lang|vi|Tết|italic=no}}''" itself only means festival but it would generally refer to the Lunar New Year in Vietnamese, as it is often seen as the most important festival amongst the Vietnamese and the Vietnamese diaspora, with {{lang|vi|Tết Trung Thu|italic=no}} regarded as the second-most important.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tết|url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6wd4578z|access-date=2022-02-12|website=escholarship.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Szymańska-Matusiewicz|first=Grażyna|date=2015|title=The Two Tết Festivals: Transnational Connections and Internal Diversity of the Vietnamese Community in Poland|url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=282810|journal=Central and Eastern European Migration Review|language=en|volume=4|issue=1|pages=53–65|issn=2300-1682}}</ref>

Vietnamese people celebrate {{lang|vi|Tết|italic=no}} annually, which is based on a [[Chinese calendar|lunisolar calendar]] (calculating both the [[Earth's orbit|motions of Earth]] around the Sun and [[orbit of the Moon|of the Moon]] around Earth). Tết is generally celebrated on the same day as [[Chinese New Year]] (also called Spring Festival), with the one-hour time difference between Vietnam and China resulting in the [[new moon]] occurring on different days. The dates of the Vietnamese and Chinese Lunar New Year rarely differ, such as in 1985, when Vietnam celebrated Lunar New Year a month before China. It takes place from the first day of the first month of the Vietnamese lunar calendar (around late January or early February) until at least the third day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tết Nguyên Đán nét văn hóa Việt |trans-title=Vietnamese Lunar New Year culture |url=https://tapchitoaan.vn/tet-nguyen-dan-net-van-hoa-viet12871.html |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=tapchitoaan.vn |language=vi}}</ref>

Tết is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giang Nam |date=13 February 2024 |title=Gìn giữ, phát huy giá trị Tết cổ truyền |trans-title=Preserving and promoting the cultural values of Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) |url=https://nhandan.vn/gin-giu-phat-huy-gia-tri-tet-co-truyen-post796056.html |access-date=20 October 2025 |website=Báo Nhân dân |language=vi}}</ref> They set aside the trouble of the past year and hope for a better and happier upcoming year. This festival can also be referred to as {{lang|vi|Hội xuân}} in vernacular Vietnamese, (from ''lễ hội'', "festival", and ''{{lang|vi|mùa xuân}}'', "spring").<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=VietnamPlus|date=2021-01-28|title=Unique traditional Tet customs of Vietnam {{!}} Society {{!}} Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)|url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/unique-traditional-tet-customs-of-vietnam/195966.vnp|access-date=2022-02-12|website=VietnamPlus|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The Lunar Year holiday was originally brought to Vietnam by the Chinese, who had formally [[Vietnam under Chinese rule|incorporated Vietnam]] into their [[Han dynasty|Han Dynasty]] empire in 111 BCE and mostly had ruled it for over 1000 years until the collapse of the [[Tang dynasty|Tang Dynasty]] in the 10th century. That historic period of Chinese rule had significantly influenced Vietnamese culture, language, and administration, as Chinese governors had attempted for complete Sinicization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bual |first=Hiezle |date=2018-02-13 |title=Tet Holiday: The Age-Old Tradition Explained |url=https://vietcetera.com/en/tet-holiday-the-age-old-tradition-explained |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Vietcetera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vietnam - Chinese Rule, Dynasties, History {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Vietnam/Vietnam-under-Chinese-rule |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Vietnamese Lunar New Year today still retains a degree of the original Chinese customs such as giving of lucky money in red envelopes and use of the lunar calendar, but has also over time, evolved its own separate and unique traditions that reflect Vietnam's distinct culture and identity, which includes the [[Vietnamese zodiac]] where the Vietnamese do not use the Ox, Rabbit, and Sheep in the Chinese zodiac but instead replace them with the Buffalo, Cat, and Goat, respectively, as well as traditional Vietnamese dishes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tet, A Celebration of Rebirth : Asian-Nation :: Asian American History, Demographics, & Issues |url=https://www.asian-nation.org/tet.shtml |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=www.asian-nation.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elston |first=Thuan Le |title=Why we Vietnamese don't celebrate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit: Cat got our tongue |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2023/01/20/lunar-new-year-chinese-rabbit-vietnamese-cat/11081882002/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Controversies===
Most information sources state that Tết originated from the period of [[Vietnam under Chinese rule|Chinese domination]]. However according to the official online newspaper of the Vietnamese government, some historical materials suggest otherwise. Tết's origins have been a subject of scholarly research for many generations.<ref name=":1" />

According to researcher Toan Anh, Tết Nguyên Đán is considered the first festival of the new year, beginning at midnight with the {{Lang|vi|Trừ tịch}} ceremony. The ceremony usually takes place between the hour of the Pig on the 30th day or, if it is a short month, on the 29th day of the 12th lunar month, and the hour of the Rat on the 1st day of the first lunar month.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-13 |title=Nguồn Gốc, Ý Nghĩa Tết Nguyên Đán |url=https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/nguon-goc-y-nghia-tet-nguyen-dan-cua-nguoi-viet-119230121183831146.htm |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn |language=vi}}</ref>

Researcher Phan Cẩm Thượng, in his book ''Customs of Human Life'', explains that the Vietnamese use the agricultural calendar or lunar calendar, which is based on the moon's rotation around the earth but also accounts for the 24 solar terms of the earth with the sun, including the four key points of the [[March equinox|spring equinox]], [[September equinox|autumnal equinox]], [[winter solstice]], and [[summer solstice]]. Tết begins on the first day of lunar January, marking the start of a new year and a new farming cycle.<ref name=":1" />

Historian [[Trần Văn Giáp]] asserts that there are many ways to divide time into months and years. From the beginning, each ethnic group had its own way of dividing months and years. According to Trần's research, Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnam dates back to the first century AD. The origin and meaning of Tết Nguyên Đán have been prevalent since then.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Nguồn gốc Tết Nguyên đán ở Việt Nam trong mắt nhà sử học |url=https://baophapluat.vn/post-432551.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Báo Pháp luật Việt Nam điện tử |language=vi}}</ref>

According to the legend of [[Bánh chưng]] [[Bánh giầy]], the Vietnamese have celebrated Tết since before the time of the [[Hùng king]]s. The legend of Lang Lieu and Bánh chưng also suggests that Tết existed over a thousand years before the period of Chinese domination.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Nguồn gốc và ý nghĩa sâu sắc của ngày Tết Nguyên Đán |url=https://www.binhthuan.dcs.vn/Tin-tuc/post/212948/nguon-goc-va-y-nghia-sau-sac-cua-ngay-tet-nguyen-dan |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Cổng thông tin điện tử Đảng bộ tỉnh Bình Thuận}}</ref>

==Name==
The name {{lang|vi|Tết}} is a shortening of {{lang|vi|Tết Nguyên Đán}}, literally written as {{lang|vi|tết}} (meaning 'festivals'; only used in festival names) and {{lang|vi|nguyên đán}} which means the first day of the year. Both terms come from [[Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary|Sino-Vietnamese]], respectively, {{lang|vi-Hani|節}} ({{lang|vi|tiết}}) and {{lang|vi-Hani|元旦}}.

The word for festival is usually {{lang|vi|lễ hội}}, another Sino-Vietnamese term {{lang|vi-Hani|禮會}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://vietnambiz.vn/le-hoi-festival-la-gi-vai-tro-trong-du-lich-20200218170211176.htm|title= Lễ hội (Festival) là gì? Vai trò trong du lịch|last= |first= |date= 18 February 2020|website= vietnambiz.vn|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} </ref>

==Customs==
 {{multiple image
| align             = center
| image1            = Cung tat nien.jpg
| caption1          = Tất Niên offering
| width1            = 267
| image2            = Phòng thờ cúng.jpg
| caption2          = A family altar in Vietnam
| width2            = 267
| image3            = Ancestors Altar or Gods Altar in Tet, North Vietnam.jpg
| caption3          = Altar to the ancestors
| width3            = 267
}}

In Vietnamese Tết culture, there are many traditional customs and preparations leading up to the Lunar New Year celebration. <ref>{{Cite web |last=HỒNG MINH, HỒNG VÂN |date=21 January 2023 |title=Tết Nguyên đán của người Việt |url=https://nhandan.vn/special/Tetnguyendan_VietNam/index.html |access-date=24 November 2025 |website=Báo Nhân dân điện tử |language=vi}}</ref> The holiday is typically divided into two parts: the two weeks before the first day of the new year, which are dedicated to preparations, and the first three days of the new year, which focus on customs for welcoming and celebrating the new year.
During Tết, people usually return home to be with their families. From the 23rd<ref>{{Cite web | title=Vietnamese preserve tomb-sweeping tradition {{!}} Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) | url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnamese-preserve-tomb-sweeping-tradition-post146180.vnp | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=en.vietnamplus.vn}}</ref> day of the last lunar month to New Year’s Eve, many families begin the tradition of visiting their ancestral homeland to worship at the family altar or pay respects at their ancestors’ graves. They also clean and tend to the gravesites as a gesture of respect and remembrance. Although Tết is a national holiday celebrated across Vietnam, each region and religion observes it with its own unique customs and traditions.
.<ref name=":0" />

Many [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] prepare for Tết by cooking special holiday food and doing house cleaning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nhung Hồng |date=25 December 2025 |title=Các phong tục trong ngày Tết của Việt Nam ta mà bạn cần nên nắm rõ |url=https://dienthoaigiakho.vn/tin-cong-nghe/cac-phong-tuc-ngay-tet/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsiAQa4meTUrTkePL56hcaojI20QoXWoZXiViDP4co5R2frOAb |access-date=13 November 2025 |website=dienthoaigiakho |language=vi}}</ref> These foods include {{lang|vi|[[bánh tét]]}}, {{lang|vi|[[bánh chưng]]}}, {{lang|vi|[[bánh giầy|bánh dày]]}}, {{lang|vi|canh khổ qua}}, {{lang|vi|[[thịt kho tàu|thịt kho hột vịt]]}}, dried young bamboo soup ({{lang|vi|[[canh chua|canh măng]]}}), {{lang|vi|[[chả lụa|giò]]}}, and [[xôi]] ([[glutinous rice|sticky rice]]). Many customs and traditions are practiced during Tết, such as visiting a person's house on the first day of the new year ({{lang|vi|xông nhà}}), [[ancestor veneration]], exchanging New Year's greetings, giving lucky money to children and elderly people, opening a shop, visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Đỗ Minh Hiếu |date=3 February 2022 |title=Những phong tục truyền thống trong dịp Tết của người Việt |trans-title=Traditional Vietnamese Customs During the Lunar New Year |url=https://thuvienphapluat.vn/banan/tin-tuc/nhung-phong-tuc-truyen-thong-trong-dip-tet-cua-nguoi-viet-9309 |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Thư Viện Pháp Luật |language=vi}}</ref>

Tết can be divided into three time periods, tất niên (celebrations before the end of the year), giao thừa (New Year's Eve), and năm mới (the New Year), representing the preparation before Tết, the eve of Tết, and the days of and following Tết, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trang |first=Dang |date=2018-02-13 |title=Những điều cần tránh trong ngày Tết theo truyền thống Việt Nam |url=https://quatangletet.vn/nhung-dieu-kieng-ky-ngay-tet/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711070230/https://quatangletet.vn/nhung-dieu-kieng-ky-ngay-tet/ |archive-date=2023-07-11 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Quà Tặng Lễ Tết |language=en }}</ref>  <!-- All of these customs are to celebrate Tết in Vietnam. -->

===New Year in Tết===
[[Image:LiXi.jpg|thumb|293x293px|A red envelope decorations (lì xì)]]

The first day of Tết is reserved for the [[nuclear family]]. Children receive [[red envelope]]s containing money from their elders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hương Lê |date=1 February 2022 |title=Nguồn gốc và ý nghĩa của tục lì xì trong ngày đầu Xuân năm mới |url=https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/nguon-goc-va-y-nghia-cua-tuc-li-xi-trong-ngay-dau-xuan-nam-moi-998434.ldo |access-date=13 November 2025 |website=Báo Lao Động |language=vi}}</ref> This tradition is called "mừng tuổi" (happy age)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goexplorevietnam.com/vietnamese-new-year-traditions-custom-tet-holiday/ |title=Vietnamese New Year – Learn about the traditions and customs of the Tet Holiday |date=January 7, 2021 |website=Go Explore Vietnam |access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> in the North region and lì xì in the South region. Usually, children wear their new clothes and give their elders the traditional Tết greetings before receiving money.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2022 |title=Mặc quần áo mới lúc giao thừa và ngày Tết sẽ may mắn tới mức nào? |url=https://www.truyenhinhnghean.vn/doi-song-xa-hoi/202201/mac-quan-ao-moi-luc-giao-thua-va-ngay-tet-se-may-man-toi-muc-nao-38f678d/ |access-date=17 November 2025 |website=Truyền hình Nghệ An |language=vi}}</ref> Wearing red clothing during Tết is common as it is associated with good luck. Since the Vietnamese believe that the first visitor who a family receives in the year determines their fortune for the entire year, people never enter any house on the first day without being invited first. The verb of being the first person to enter a house at Tết is xông đất, xông nhà, or đạp đất,<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Year in Vietnam - Everything You Need to Know |url=https://asiaprivatetravels.com/travel-guide/vietnam-travel-guides/new-year-in-vietnam-everything-you-need-to-know.html |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=asiaprivatetravels.com |language=en}}</ref> which is one of the most important customs during Tết. According to Vietnamese tradition, if good things come to a family on the first day of the lunar New Year, the entire following year will also be full of blessings. Usually, a person of good temper, morality, and success will be a lucky sign for the host family and be first invited into his house. However, just to be safe, the owner of the house will leave the house a few minutes before midnight and come back just as the clock strikes midnight to prevent anyone else from entering the house first who might potentially bring any unfortunate events in the new year to the household.<ref>{{cite book|last= |first= |author-link= Nguyễn Bích Hằng, Lê Thị Uyên, Thích Thanh Duệ|title=Việt Nam phong tục và lễ nghi cổ truyền |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l2FQAQAAMAAJ&q=ch%E1%BB%A7+nh%C3%A0+t%E1%BB%B1+x%C3%B4ng+%C4%91%E1%BA%A5t|year= 2006|publisher= Văn hóa - thông tin |isbn=|pages=15|quote=}}</ref> This is a common practice done by many families. 

Sweeping during Tết is taboo, it is xui or rủi (unlucky), since it symbolizes sweeping the luck away; that is why they clean before the new year. It is also taboo for anyone who experienced a recent loss of a family member to visit anyone else during Tết.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://thanhnien.vn/7-dieu-kieng-ki-ngay-tet-de-ban-va-gia-dinh-may-man-ca-nam-185824062.htm|title= 7 điều 'kiêng kị ngày Tết' để bạn và gia đình may mắn cả năm|last= Vũ|first= Phượng|date= 6 February 2019|website= |publisher= Thanh Niên|access-date= |quote=}} </ref> 

It is important to retain harmony within the household during the first three days of Tết. Engaging in conflict, arguments, or exhibiting any feelings of anger and hatred may bring upon bad luck for the upcoming year. 

During subsequent days, people visit relatives and friends. Traditionally but not strictly, the second day of Tết is usually reserved for friends, while the third day is for teachers, who command respect in Vietnam. Students in Vietnam are usually given a one-week long break from school to celebrate Tết. Local [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temples are popular spots because people like to give donations and get their fortunes told during Tết. Children are free to spend their new money on toys or on [[gambling]] games such as ''[[bau cua ca cop|bầu cua cá cọp]]'', which can be found in the streets. Prosperous families can pay for dragon dancers to perform at their house. Also, public performances are given for everyone to watch.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://tuoitre.vn/an-chua-trong-mua-rong-viet-nam-ngay-tet-1256428.htm|title= Múa rồng Việt ngày Tết ẩn chứa điều gì?|last= Hồ|first= Tường|date= 22 January 2017|website= |publisher= Tuổi Trẻ|access-date= |quote=}} </ref>

===Traditional celebrations===
These celebrations can last from a day up to the entire week, and the New Year is filled with people in the streets trying to make as much noise as possible using firecrackers, drums, bells, gongs, and anything they can think of to ward off evil spirits. This parade will also include different masks and dancers hidden under the guise of what is known as the ''múa lân ''or [[Lion dance#Vietnamese Lion|lion dancing]]. The ''lân'' is an animal between a lion and a dragon and is the symbol of strength in the Vietnamese culture that is used to scare away evil spirits. After the parade, families, and friends come together to have a feast of traditional Vietnamese dishes and share the happiness and joy of the New Year with one another. This is also the time when the elders will hand out red envelopes with money to the children for good luck in exchange for Tết greetings.<ref>Lucky money in tet. Vietnamese Culture and Tradition. https://www.vietnam-culture.com/lucky-money-in-tet/</ref>

It is also a tradition to pay off debts before the Vietnamese New Year for some Vietnamese families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lunar-year-debt-20170126-story.html|title=Vietnamese prepare for Lunar New Year by paying off debts, a tradition that can often bring stress|last=Do|first=Anh|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=28 January 2017|access-date=2017-01-28}}</ref>

===Decorations===
{{multiple image
| align             = center
| image1            = ĐHNH 2012 - Rồng Nhâm Thìn.JPG
| caption1          = Street decoration honouring the [[Dragon (zodiac)|Year of the Dragon]] (2012).
| width1            = 195
| image2            = Đèn kéo quân.jpg
| caption2          = New Year decoration in [[Ho Chi Minh City]].
| width2            = 267
| image3            = Ho_Chi_Minh_City_Tet_Decorations.jpg
| caption3          = Tết display on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City.
| width3            = 267
| image4            = Cây nêu 2.jpg
| width4            = 195
| caption4          = A [[cây nêu]] being hung at [[Long Sơn Temple]], [[Nha Trang]]
}}

Traditionally, each family displays ''[[cây nêu]]'', an artificial [[New Year tree]] consisting of a [[bamboo]] pole {{Convert|5-6|m|ft|abbr=on}} long. The top end is usually decorated with many objects, depending on the locality, including good luck charms, [[origami]] fish, cactus branches, and more.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://laodong.vn/van-hoa/tuc-trong-cay-neu-ngay-tet-1138246.ldo|title= Tục trồng cây nêu ngày Tết|last= Lý|first= Viết Trường|date= 15 January 2023|website= laodong.vn|publisher= Lao Động |access-date= |quote=}} </ref> 

At Tết, every house is usually decorated by yellow [[Ochna integerrima|Ochna blossoms]] (''hoa mai'') in Central and Southern Vietnam, [[Peach|peach blossoms]] (''hoa đào'') in Northern Vietnam, or [[Bauhinia variegata|mountain ebony]] (''hoa ban'') in the Northwestern mountain areas. In the north, some people (especially the elite in the past){{citation needed|date=August 2016}} also decorate their house with [[Prunus mume|plum blossoms]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://laodong.vn/photo/mo-rung-tinh-khoi-tuyet-dep-vuot-hang-tram-cay-so-xuong-thu-do-don-tet-655816.ldo|title= Mơ rừng tinh khôi tuyệt đẹp vượt hàng trăm cây số xuống thủ đô đón Tết|last= |first= |date= February 2019|website= laodong.vn|publisher= Lao Động|access-date= |quote=}} </ref> In the north or central, the [[kumquat]] tree is a popular decoration for the living room during Tết. Its many fruits symbolize fertility and fruitfulness which the family hopes in the coming year.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://laodong.vn/xa-hoi/mot-so-loai-qua-thuong-dung-cho-mam-ngu-qua-ngay-tet-1000138.ldo|title=Một số loại quả thường dùng cho mâm ngũ quả ngày Tết  |last= |first= |date= 30 January 2022|website= laodong.vn|publisher= Lao Động|access-date= |quote=}} </ref> 

Vietnamese people also decorate their homes with [[Hòn non bộ]] and flowers such as [[chrysanthemums]] (''hoa cúc''), [[Tagetes|marigolds]] (''vạn thọ'') symbolizing longevity, [[Celosia|cockscombs]] (''mào gà'') in southern Vietnam, and [[Narcissus tazetta|paperwhites]] (''thủy tiên'') and [[orchid]]s (''hoa lan'') in northern Vietnam. In the past, there was a tradition where people tried to make their paperwhites bloom on the day of the observance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.baodantoc.vn/huong-dan-cach-trong-hoa-thuy-tien-choi-tet-1640921669778.html|title= Hướng dẫn cách trồng hoa thủy tiên chơi tết|last= |first= |date= |website= baodantoc.vn|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} </ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Tôn|first= Thảo Miên |author-link= |title=Nguyễn Tuân, về tác gia và tác phẩm |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sHhkAAAAMAAJ&q=hoa+lan+v%C3%A0+hoa+th%E1%BB%A7y+ti%C3%AAn+ch%C6%A1i+t%E1%BA%BFt|year= 2000|publisher= Giáo dục|isbn=|pages=469|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= |first= |author-link= |title=Bách khoa thư Hà Nội|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ah9IAAAAMAAJ&q=ch%C6%A1i+hoa+lan+ng%C3%A0y+t%E1%BA%BFt|year= 2000|publisher= Từ điển bách khoa|isbn=|pages=214|quote=}}</ref> 

They also hung up [[Đông Hồ painting]]s and [[thư pháp]] [[calligraphy]] pictures.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://baoquangninh.vn/tranh-dong-ho-thu-vui-tao-nha-ngay-tet-cua-nguoi-viet-3171131.html|title= Tranh Đông Hồ- Thú vui tao nhã ngày Tết của người Việt|last= |first= |date= |website= baoquangninh.vn|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} </ref><ref>{{cite book|last= |first= |author-link= Bộ Văn hóa|title=Nghiên cứu văn hóa nghệ thuật |date= 2004|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DbDWAAAAMAAJ&q=th%C6%B0+ph%C3%A1p+ng%C3%A0y+t%E1%BA%BFt|publisher= Bộ Văn hóa|isbn=|pages=19|quote=}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = center
| image1            = Mâm Ngũ quả.jpg
| caption1          = ''Mâm ngũ quả'' (five fruits tray) are made for Tết, here is a ngũ quả consisting of bananas, oranges, tangerines, a [[pomelo]], and a pineapple
| width1            = 267
| image2            = Hoa dao.jpg
| caption2          = Peach blossoms (''hoa đào'')
| width2            = 267
| image3            = Hoa mai.jpg
| caption3          = Ochna blossoms (''hoa mai'')
| width3            = 101
| caption4          = ''Chúc mừng năm mới'' translates to "Happy New Year"
| width4            = 150
| image4            = Chúc_Mừng_Năm_Mới_banner.JPG
| image5            = Vinh hoa.JPG
| width5            = 150
| caption5          = [[Đông Hồ painting]]s are traditionally hung as decoration of Tết
}}

==Greetings==
[[File:Tết Greetings.png|thumb|Tết greetings shown in here in the [[Vietnamese alphabet]], [[Chữ Hán]] and [[chữ Nôm]].]]
The traditional greetings are "''Chúc mừng năm mới''" (祝𢜠𢆥㵋, happy new year) and "''Cung chúc tân xuân''", (恭祝新春, gracious wishes of the new spring). People also wish each other prosperity and luck. Common wishes for Tết include the following:{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

*''Sống lâu trăm tuổi'': (𤯩𥹰𤾓歲, Live long for a hundred years!): used by children for elders. Traditionally, everyone is considered [[East Asian age reckoning|one year older]] on Tết, so children would wish their grandparents' health and longevity in exchange for ''mừng tuổi'' (𢜠歲) or ''lì xì'' (利市 "SV: lợi thị").
*''An khang thịnh vượng'': (安康盛旺, Security, good health, and prosperity)
*''Vạn sự như ý'': (萬事如意, May things go your way)
*''Sức khỏe dồi dào'': (飭劸洡𤁠, Plenty of health)
*''Làm ăn tấn tới'': (爫咹晉𬧐, Be successful at work)
*''Tiền vô như nước:'' (錢𠓺如渃, May money flow in like water). Used informally.
*''Cung hỉ phát tài'': (恭喜發財, Congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous new year)
*''Năm mới thắng lợi mới'': (𢆥㵋勝利㵋, New year, new triumphs!; often heard in political speeches)
*''Chúc hay ăn chóng lớn'': (祝𫨩咹𢶢𡘯, Eat well, grow quick!; aimed at children)
*''Năm mới thăng quan tiến chức'': (𢆥㵋陞官進織, I wish for you to be promoted in the new year!)
*''Năm mới toàn gia bình an'': (𢆥㵋全家平安, I wish that the new year will bring health and peace to your family!)
*''Mừng xuân Di-lặc:'' (𢜠春彌勒, Happy Spring of Maitreya!). Used by Buddhists.
*''Mừng xuân an lạc:'' (𢜠春安樂, Happy peaceful joyful spring!). Used by Buddhists.
*''Chúc mừng Chúa Xuân:'' (祝𢜠主春, Praise the Lord of Spring!). Used by Catholics.
{{Clear}}

==Food==
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2
| total_width       = 350
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| header            = 
| image1            = Tet Binh Than 2016 (1).jpg
| caption1          = Food offerings for ancestors
| image2            = Tet offerings, Hue 2011.jpg
| caption2          = Food offerings to [[Ông Công]] and [[Ông Táo]] gods
| image3            = Banh chung vuong.jpg
| caption3          = ''[[Bánh chưng]]''
| image4            = Banh tay.jpg
| caption4          = ''Bánh chưng'' (bottom) and ''bánh tày'' (top, a variation of bánh chưng)
| image5            = Xôi gấc.JPG
| caption5          = [[Xôi]] gấc is glutinous rice cooked with [[gac]] fruit, its red color is considered as auspicious
| image6            = Nguyen lieu banh chung.jpg
| caption6          = Bánh chưng, [[bánh giầy]] being made.
| footer_align      = center
| footer            = 
}}

In the Vietnamese language, to celebrate Tết is to ''ăn Tết'', literally meaning "eat Tết", showing the importance of food in its celebration. Some of the food is also eaten year-round, while other dishes are only eaten during Tết. Also, some of the food is vegetarian since it is believed to be good luck to eat vegetarian on Tết. Some traditional foods on Tết include the following:[[File:Ho_Chi_Minh_Trip-197.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Mứt Tết'' are candied fruits and seeds eaten during Tết]]
* ''[[Bánh chưng]]'' and ''[[bánh tét]]'': essentially tightly packed [[sticky rice]] with meat or bean fillings wrapped in ''dong'' leaves (''Phrynium placentarium''). When these leaves are unavailable, banana leaves can be used as a substitute. One difference between them is their shape. ''Bánh chưng'' is the square-shaped one to represent the Earth, while ''bánh tét'' is cylindrical to represent the moon. Also, ''bánh chưng'' is more popular in the northern parts of Vietnam, ''bánh tét'' is more popular in the south.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2021 |title=Bánh chưng miền Nam, miền Trung khác bánh chưng miền Bắc thế nào? |trans-title=What are the differences between bánh chưng made in the South and Central regions and those made in the North? |url=https://truyenhinhnghean.vn/doi-song-xa-hoi/202102/banh-chung-mien-nam-mien-trung-khac-banh-chung-mien-bac-the-nao-6e12a9a/#:~:text=B%C3%A1nh%20ch%C6%B0ng%20mi%E1%BB%81n%20Nam%20g%C3%B3i,c%C3%B3%20th%E1%BB%83%20%C4%83n%20sau%20T%E1%BA%BFt). |access-date=20 October 2025 |website=Báo và Phát thanh truyền hình Nghệ An |language=vi}}</ref> Preparation can take days. After molding them into their respective shapes (the square shape is achieved using a wooden frame), they are boiled for several hours to cook.  The story of their origins and their connection with Tết is often recounted to children while cooking them overnight.
* ''Mứt'': These dried candied fruits are rarely eaten at any time besides Tết.
* ''[[Kẹo dừa]]'': coconut candy
* ''Kẹo mè xửng'': peanut brittle with sesame seeds or peanuts
* ''Cầu sung dừa đủ xoài'': In southern Vietnam, popular fruits used for offerings at the family altar in fruit arranging art are the [[custard-apple]]/[[sugar-apple]]/[[soursop]] (''mãng cầu''), [[coconut]] (''dừa''), [[goolar fig]] (''sung''), [[papaya]] (''đu đủ''), and [[mango]] (''xoài''), since they sound like "''cầu sung vừa đủ xài''" ([We] pray for enough [money/resources/funds/goods/etc.] to use) in the southern dialect of Vietnamese.
* ''[[Thịt kho tàu|Thịt kho nước dừa]]:'' Meaning "meat stewed in coconut juice", is a traditional dish of pork belly and medium boiled eggs stewed in a broth-like sauce made overnight of young coconut juice and ''[[nước mắm]]''. It is often eaten with pickled bean sprouts and chives, and white rice.
* ''Xôi gấc'': a red sticky rice made from [[gac]] fruit, typically paired with [[chả lụa]] (the most common type of [[sausage]] in [[Vietnamese cuisine]], made of [[pork]] and traditionally wrapped in [[Banana leaf|banana leaves]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vietnamvisa-easy.com/blog/xoi-gac-gac-sticky-rice-fortunate-red-of-vietnam/|title=Xoi gac-gac sticky rice, fortunate red of Vietnam – Travel information for Vietnam from local experts|work=Travel information for Vietnam from local experts|access-date=2018-02-11|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031131126/https://www.vietnamvisa-easy.com/blog/xoi-gac-gac-sticky-rice-fortunate-red-of-vietnam/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Forms of entertainment==
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2
| total_width       = 350
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| header            = 
| image1            = Tranh miêu tả các trò chơi dân gian trong ngày Tết thời nhà Lê trung hưng năm 1684-1685. - Their New-Year's Pastime.png
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Tranh miêu tả các trò chơi dân gian trong ngày Tết thời nhà Lê trung hưng năm 1684-1685. - The manner of their dancing upon ropes, etc.png
| caption2          = 
| footer_align      = center
| footer            = Traditional games on Tết Nguyên Đán in the [[Revival Lê dynasty]].
}}

{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2
| total_width       = 350
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| header            = 
| image1            = HA 53-16 R32 Les fleurs de pêchers prédominent sur le marché aux fleurs lors des préparatifs du Têt.jpg
| caption1          = 
| image2            = HA 53-16 R26 Les mandariniers nains, acchetés pour célébrer le Têt, sont symboles de prospérité.jpg
| caption2          = 
| footer_align      = center
| footer            = Hanoi Tết plant markets, 1953 in the [[State of Vietnam]]
}}

[[File:Bầu cua cá cọp.jpg|thumb|''[[Bầu cua tôm cá]]'' is a Vietnamese gambling game that involves using three dice. It is traditionally played during Tết.]]
[[File:Đánh đu - hội Lim, Bắc Ninh.JPG|thumb|Đánh đu - a traditional game that often appears during Tết.]]
People enjoy traditional games during Tết, including ''[[bầu cua cá cọp]]'', ''[[Xiangqi|cờ tướng]]'', ''ném còn'', ''chọi trâu'', and ''đá gà''. They also participate in some competitions presenting their knowledge, strength, and aestheticism, such as the bird competition and ''ngâm thơ'' competition.

Fireworks displays have also become a traditional part of a Tết celebration in Vietnam. During New Year's Eve, fireworks displays at major cities, such as [[Hanoi]], [[Ho Chi Minh City]], and [[Da Nang]], are broadcast through multiple national and local TV channels, accompanied by New Year wishes of the [[President of Vietnam|incumbent president]]. In 2017 only, fireworks displays were prohibited due to political and financial reasons. In 2021, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam|COVID-19 pandemic]], most provinces and cities canceled the fireworks displays; instead, the displays were only held in [[Hanoi]] and several provinces with public gatherings prohibited. In 2022, due to the aforementioned pandemic, all provinces canceled the firework displays due to financial reasons. In [[Australia]], [[Canada]], and the United States, there are fireworks displays at many of its festivals, although in 2021 they were either held virtually or canceled. In the United States, a popular show that many individuals engage in is ''[[Paris by Night]]''.

''[[Gặp nhau cuối năm]]'' ("Year-end reunion") is a satirical theatrical comedy show broadcast on [[Vietnam Television|VTV]] on New Year's Eve.

==Dates in the Vietnamese calendar==
{{Main|Vietnamese calendar|Sexagenary cycle}}

From 2020 to 2043:
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! [[Vietnamese zodiac|Zodiac]]
! colspan="2" |[[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]] date
|-
| Tý (Rat) || 25 January 2020 || 11 February 2032 
|-
| Sửu (Buffalo) || 12 February 2021 || 31 January 2033 
|-
| Dần (Tiger) || 1 February 2022 || 19 February 2034 
|-
| Mẹo, Mão (Cat) || 22 January 2023 || 8 February 2035 
|-
| Thìn (Dragon) || 10 February 2024 || 28 January 2036 
|-
| '''Tỵ (Snake)''' || '''29 January 2025''' || 15 February 2037 
|-
| Ngọ (Horse) || 17 February 2026 || 4 February 2038 
|-
| Mùi (Goat) || 6 February 2027 || 24 January 2039 
|-
| Thân (Monkey) || 26 January 2028 || 12 February 2040 
|-
| Dậu (Rooster) || 13 February 2029 || 1 February 2041 
|-
| Tuất (Dog) ||2 February 2030 || 22 January 2042 
|-
| Hợi (Pig) || 23 January 2031 || 10 February 2043 
|}

==Music==
In the weeks leading up to Tết, celebratory songs are played throughout Vietnam. One song, Ngày Tết Quê Em (Tết in My Homeland) was released by Linh Trang and Xuan Mai in 2006. It was on the album Xuân Mai và Thiếu Nhi Cali 2 Hội chợ Cali. The song can be heard playing in many public places across the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cùng bé học tiếng Anh qua bài hát Ngày tết quê em |url=https://alisa.edu.vn/cung-be-hoc-tieng-anh-qua-bai-hat-ngay-tet-que-em.html |website=alisa.edu |date=5 January 2022 |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref>

The song summarizes some of the main Tết traditions. During Tết, it is traditional for Vietnamese people to travel to their hometowns, hence the lyrics "People traveling here and there."<ref>{{cite web |title=Traditional Tet customs of Vietnam |url=https://vietnamnet.vn/en/traditional-tet-customs-of-vietnam-611927.html |website=vietnamnet.vn |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref> 

Typically, there are large fireworks displays in most major cities. Prior to 1995, it was customary to use firecrackers at individual homes; however, the government banned the production and use of these fireworks due to fatal accidents. In December 2020 a regulation was passed that allows "anyone aged 18 and older with legal capacity" to purchase sparklers for special occasions. The regulations went into effect on January 11, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pham |first1=Linh |title=Lighting fireworks is now allowed in Vietnam. Here's what you need to know |url=https://vietnaminsider.vn/lighting-fireworks-is-now-allowed-in-vietnam/ |website=vietnaminsider.vn |date=2 December 2020 |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref>

While the song is not inherently religious, it does reference pagodas, a tiered tower used by Buddhists and Taoists for worship. Many Buddhist altars are set up in the weeks leading up to Tet.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pinky |first1=Nguyen |date=27 February 2018 |title=Giỏ quà Tết và những ý nghĩa quanh món quà Tết của người Việt |url=https://quatangletet.vn/gio-qua-tet/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405031523/https://quatangletet.vn/gio-qua-tet/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=quatangletet.vn }}</ref> 

The line "If you're a farmer, you'll gain more" refers to beliefs held by many Vietnamese people about the effects the new year will bring on agriculture. Tet symbolizes the start of the spring season. Farmers traditionally use this time as an opportunity to remember the gods of harvest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Everything about Vietnam's Lunar New Year |url=https://azumi.vn/en/blog/everything-about-vietnam-s-lunar-new-year.html |website=asumi.vn |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>  The next line, "If you're dealers, you'll earn more" refers to the amount of work retailers do in order to be prepared for the surge of shopping in preparation for the holiday.<ref>{{cite web |title=Retailers get ready for busiest shopping season of the year |url=https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1441745/retailers-get-ready-for-busiest-shopping-season-of-the-year.html |website=vietnamnews.vn |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Buddhist festivals]]
*[[Vietnamese Catholic Lunar New Year]]
*Celebrations of the Lunar New Year in other parts of Asia:
** [[Chinese New Year]] ''(Spring Festival)''
** [[Korean New Year]] ''(Seollal)''
** [[Japanese New Year]] ''(Shōgatsu)''
** [[Tsagaan Sar|Mongolian New Year]] ''(Tsagaan Sar)''
** [[Losar|Tibetan New Year]] ''(Losar)''
*Similar Asian Lunisolar New Year celebrations that occur in April:
**[[Thingyan|Burmese New Year]] ''(Thingyan)''
**[[Cambodian New Year]] ''(Chaul Chnam Thmey)''
**[[Songkran (Lao)|Lao New Year]] ''(Pii Mai)''
**[[Pahela Baishakh|Bengali New Year]] ''(Pahela Baisakh)''
**[[Sinhalese New Year|Sri Lankan New Year]] ''(Aluth Avuruddu)''
**[[Songkran (Thailand)|Thai New Year]] ''(Songkran)''

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101010065102/http://www.queensbotanical.org/2630/56902/57016/vietnam Tet Nguyen Dan: The Vietnamese New Year] - [[Queens Botanical Garden]]
* [http://www.vietnam-culture.com/vietnamese-new-year.aspx Vietnamese New Year customs]
* [https://vietnamblog.medium.com/everything-about-tet-holiday-vietnamese-lunar-new-year-99d6c7306ae4 Tet Holiday]
* [https://www.xemamlich.uhm.vn/vncal_en.html Vietnamese calendar rules]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120109190800/http://www.vietnamesetet.com/history-of-tet/tet-nguyen-dan-vietnamese-new-year/ Tết - Vietnamese Lunar New Year Traditions] 
* [http://www.tetfestival.org Tet Festival] Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150216172347/http://www.phuquocislandguide.com/blog/top-5-things-phu-quoc-island-tet-lunar-new-year-2015/ Tet on Phu Quoc Island] on Vietnam's largest island
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140130090701/http://vietccsf.org/2014/ Tết] [https://web.archive.org/web/20150203075341/http://vietccsf.org/2014/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=84:t%E1%BA%BFt-t%E1%BA%BFt-festival-2015&Itemid=150 Festival] - [https://www.yelp.com/biz/vietnamese-tet-festival-san-francisco San Francisco]
* [https://www.goexplorevietnam.com/vietnamese-new-year-traditions-custom-tet-holiday/ Vietnamese New Year – Learn about the traditions and customs of the Tet Holiday]

{{Public holidays in Vietnam}}
{{New Year by Calendar}}
{{Portal bar|Vietnam|Holidays}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tet}}
[[Category:New Year celebrations]]
[[Category:Lunar New Year|Vietnam]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Festivals in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Vietnamese words and phrases]]
[[Category:January observances]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Observances honoring the dead]]<!--Strong element of ancestor worship-->
[[Category:Observances set by the Vietnamese calendar]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Observances held on the new moon]]