TẾT HOLIDAY 2026

Vietnamese Traditional Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday)

Tet, short for “Tet Nguyen Dan,” is the most important traditional holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and usually takes place between late January and mid-February. Tet is not only a celebration of the arrival of spring but also a meaningful time for family reunions, cultural traditions, and spiritual reflection.

Before Tet begins, families thoroughly clean and decorate their houses to remove bad luck from the previous year and welcome good fortune. Many people buy flowers such as peach blossoms in the north and apricot blossoms in the south, which symbolize prosperity and happiness. Kumquat trees with ripe fruits are also popular decorations because they represent abundance.

One of the most important customs during Tet is preparing traditional food. Vietnamese families make special dishes such as “banh chung” in the north and “banh tet” in the south. These sticky rice cakes, filled with mung beans and pork, symbolize the Earth and gratitude toward ancestors. Other common foods include boiled chicken, pickled vegetables, and various kinds of jams and sweets served to guests.

On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a special meal and often visit pagodas or temples to pray for health, success, and peace in the coming year. Children are especially excited during Tet because they receive “lucky money” in red envelopes from adults. This tradition represents good wishes and blessings.

Another meaningful aspect of Tet is visiting relatives, friends, and teachers to show respect and strengthen relationships. During the first days of the new year, people often avoid arguments or negative words because they believe that the way the year begins will influence the rest of it.

In conclusion, Tet is much more than a public holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for gratitude, reunion, and hope. Through its customs and traditions, Tet reflects the strong family values and cultural identity of the Vietnamese people.