Taboos on Tet Day in the Mekong Delta

The customs and taboos on Tet Day in the Mekong Delta carry meaningful significance, showcasing the cultural essence of the region and aspirations for a peaceful and fortunate new year.

Taboos on Tet Day in the Mekong Delta

Avoid Sweeping the House

One of the taboos on Tet Day is refraining from sweeping the house on the first day of the lunar new year. Sweeping is considered to sweep away good luck and fortune. Therefore, people usually tidy up their homes before Tet to welcome the new year's luck and avoid sweeping to prevent losing luck throughout the year.

Avoid Breaking Items

Breaking household items during the Tet season is an auspicious taboo. Since ancient times, people have refrained from breaking cups, bowls, and utensils as it symbolizes separation, disruption, and unfavorable relationships in the new year.

Avoid Dumping Garbage

Dumping garbage during Tet is considered a forbidden act. According to ancient beliefs, garbage symbolizes luck and prosperity. Thus, clearing trash is seen as sweeping away luck and good fortune for the new year.

Avoid Fire and Water

In Feng Shui, fire symbolizes luck, while water symbolizes the continuous flow of prosperity into the family. For example, the Tet greeting 'Money flows like water' leads people to limit fire and water for others at the beginning of the new year.

Avoid Wearing Black and White on Tet

According to the beliefs of our ancestors, black and white clothing symbolizes mourning and sorrow. Therefore, it's advised to avoid wearing these colors to prevent loss, pain, and sadness. Instead, people often choose vibrant colors like red, yellow, green, and more, to wish for a year full of luck, joy, and prosperity.

Avoid Borrowing Money at the Beginning of the Year

It's not advisable to borrow money at the start of the year as it may bring about unfavorable outcomes. Borrowers may face bad luck, scarcity, and poverty, while lenders may cause financial losses and dispersion of wealth.

Avoid Quarrels on Tet Day

Engaging in arguments during the early days of the year is a significant taboo on Tet, as it is a time for family gatherings. Therefore, avoiding loud disputes helps maintain harmony in the household and welcome a fortunate and happy new year.

Avoid Haircut and Nail Cutting on Tet

Cutting hair and nails on the first day of the year is also considered taboo on Tet. Elders believe that hair and nails are closely connected to the body, and cutting them on the early days of the year may cut off luck and health.

Avoid Crying and Sorrow

During the initial days of the year, it is crucial to refrain from crying and expressing sorrow to avoid bringing misfortune throughout the year.

Avoid Negative Speech

In the early days of the new year, limit speaking about negative and unlucky things to prevent attracting bad occurrences for oneself and those around. Therefore, it is advisable to express positive and fortunate sentiments for a lucky year.

Avoid Closing Doors on Tet Day

Many believe that keeping doors open invites luck and prosperity into the home, hence people tend to avoid closing doors.

Avoid Eating Unlucky Foods

In the early days of the year, many Vietnamese avoid consuming foods associated with bad luck, such as: duck meat, catfish, dog meat, fertilized duck eggs, and in some regions, even shrimp is avoided for fear of setbacks.

By Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour