Top 15 Things to Do During Tet

Ancestral grave cleaning, also known as grave visiting, involves tidying up and restoring the tombs of ancestors before Tet. After cleaning, descendants bring incense, flowers, and offerings to invite their ancestors to join the family in celebrating the New Year. This practice allows the family to reunite, share feelings, and reflect on the past year with their departed loved ones.

Ancestral grave cleaning is also a symbol of respect and gratitude from descendants to their ancestors, reminding them of the proverb 'birds have nests, humans have roots.' Over time, this practice has become a cherished tradition, unique to Vietnamese culture during Tet. As such, even those who live far away make a point to return home during Tet to pay respects at the graves of their ancestors.

According to tradition, on New Year's Eve or the first day of Tet, Vietnamese families gather together to offer incense to their ancestors, celebrate the new year with food and laughter, and exchange well-wishes. This is also the time when children and younger family members receive red envelopes with lucky money from their elders. The red envelope, containing a small amount of money, symbolizes wishes for good fortune, health, and success in work and studies for the younger generation.

Today, the tradition of giving lucky money extends beyond just the first day of the new year or the first three days of Tet. As long as the festive spirit of Tet continues, people can exchange lucky money with their loved ones. Moreover, the custom is no longer restricted to just elders giving money to children. Adults, even those with jobs or income, now also give red envelopes to their parents or grandparents. The practice has expanded beyond family, and friends, coworkers, and neighbors now exchange lucky money with one another as well.

During Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam, there are numerous customs and rituals passed down through generations, all aimed at bringing luck and prosperity to the family. Among these, the tradition of "buying salt at the beginning of the year, and lime at the end of the year" holds special meaning. After the transition from the old year to the new year, many people purchase small bags of salt for good luck. Over time, the custom of buying salt at the start of the year has evolved. The salt is now packed into small red bags, often accompanied by a packet of matches or a small portable lighter.

According to ancient beliefs, salt symbolizes harmony and unity within the family, fosters positive business relationships, and helps drive away bad spirits, bringing good fortune. From a cultural perspective, the saying “buy salt at the beginning of the year, and lime at the end” is not just a tradition, but like many proverbs, it carries deeper meanings and messages from our ancestors.

According to popular belief, the first day of Tet marks the beginning of the new year, and when starting anything new, people generally wish for success. It's similar to the saying 'a good start leads to a good finish,' meaning that a smooth beginning will lead to a favorable outcome throughout the year.

Therefore, starting the year with a joyful attitude, smiling, and speaking positively is believed to bring good fortune and happiness for the rest of the year, as well as ward off bad luck. Additionally, elders have the saying 'laughter brings wealth,' meaning those who are cheerful and whose laughter fills the air will attract more luck and prosperity in life.

According to ancient beliefs, the first visitor to enter the house on New Year's Day plays a significant role in determining the family's fortune and prosperity for the year. If the first guest is a good match for the homeowner's age and zodiac sign, it is said that the year will bring success and good fortune. However, if the first visitor is incompatible, it is believed to bring difficulties and bad luck for the year ahead.

Over time, however, these old customs have become less prominent as modern life has evolved. Today, the tradition of the first visitor has shifted from a serious belief in luck to a lighthearted custom enjoyed during the Tet celebrations. While the significance of the practice has changed, the joy of visiting friends and family during the new year remains, with hopes of bringing peace and good fortune to the household.

One of the must-do activities every Tet is to visit the Tet market and buy flowers. In the southern regions, people celebrate Tet with warm sunshine and vibrant yellow apricot blossoms, while in the north, the cherry blossoms bloom to brighten up the cold northern air.

It is believed that if the flowers bloom during the New Year's Eve with many layers of petals and a shape resembling a rose, it will bring prosperity. Some families prefer to plant kumquat trees during Tet, believing the presence of ripe and unripe fruits, flowers, and buds will bring good fortune throughout the year.

Picking the First Blessings of the Year is a tradition where people pick branches (often known as 'lucky branches') and bring them home to usher in good fortune. This custom is practiced during the Lunar New Year, especially in the early days of the new year. These branches are typically from trees like mulberry, banyan, or fig, which are known for their constant growth and fresh buds.

The first buds symbolize prosperity and new beginnings. The lucky branches are either hung at the door or placed in vases around the house to drive away evil spirits and bring blessings. It’s common to see people visit temples or shrines for this ritual, hoping to receive blessings from deities or Buddha for a prosperous year ahead.

The Vietnamese believe that the direction taken on the first day of the year can determine the fortune for the rest of the year. If the journey begins smoothly, it signifies a prosperous year ahead. Thus, many people place great importance on this practice. 'Starting the journey' refers to leaving one's home or village, no matter where or why. According to folklore, choosing the right time and direction for this departure—based on one’s zodiac and personal traits—will bring good fortune in work, wealth, and relationships.

Traveling at the right time and in the right direction is seen as an auspicious sign for a prosperous year. The chosen direction is based on the location of the homeowner, and it is important to reach a fixed destination before visiting other places.

Entering the new year marks a fresh start, so it’s important to leave behind the worries and troubles of the past year. Instead, focus on determination, hope, and new ideas to set the tone for a successful year ahead. Fill your heart with positivity, renewed energy, and a fresh outlook on life.

At the start of the year, avoid carrying a gloomy face or negative emotions when interacting with others. Not only can this create obstacles during the festive season, but it also risks damaging your relationships with friends and family. No one enjoys conversing with someone who appears grumpy or upset on the first day of the year.

Traditionally, it is believed that purchasing fire at the beginning of the year brings good fortune to the family. Fire in this context refers to items like lighters and matches. Many people in Vietnam believe that buying fire at the start of the year will lead to a year full of success and prosperity.

As a result, people in Vietnam often purchase fire-related items in hopes that the new year will be smooth and successful. These items are typically sold along with salt packets during New Year's Eve, and the salt is often placed on the family altar for good luck.

The tradition of first writing of the year takes place after New Year's Eve, marking the very first moments of the new year. People often burn incense at their writing desk, use a new brush, grind ink, and write on flower-patterned or red paper. The space must be quiet, and the writer must be calm and focused. Each person writes heartfelt words, pouring their hopes for a prosperous new year into the paper.

Today, this tradition has evolved, but it is still highly valued, especially among students, writers, and scholars. The pen is seen as a tool linking intellect and the soul, and the first writing symbolizes good luck, success in studies, and career achievements.

In recent years, to preserve this beautiful tradition, many regions and families organize the first writing ceremony at cultural landmarks such as temples, pagodas, and shrines. This ritual not only revives the Vietnamese respect for teachers and learning but also honors the traditions of intellectual pursuit, while contributing to the conservation and promotion of local historical and cultural heritage.

In addition to salt and fire, many Vietnamese also buy gold as a charm for good luck at the start of the year. Especially in recent years, many people have made it a tradition to purchase gold on the 10th day of Tết, known as the day of the God of Wealth. Some even wait in long lines for hours to secure their share of gold on this auspicious day. Gold is seen as a symbol of strength and the connection it has with high societal values. It remains a stable store of value, even when the currency's worth decreases.

Thus, buying gold at the start of the year is believed to bring good fortune into one's home, contributing to a sense of contentment and happiness throughout the year while promoting success in business. The Vietnamese also believe that there are certain taboos during the first days of the year to avoid misfortune, and similarly, they trust that the right traditions will bring continued good luck. Gold, in this sense, symbolizes wealth and power.

Wearing new clothes is a cultural tradition that accompanies the arrival of the Lunar New Year, a custom loved by people of all ages. This practice dates back to ancient times, particularly in China’s agrarian societies, where new clothes were a rare luxury due to the poor economy.

During Tết, a time of vibrant energy and renewal, donning fresh attire symbolizes letting go of the old and welcoming the new year. The tradition also serves to drive away evil spirits and bring about good fortune. As a result, everyone, rich or poor, ensures they wear new clothes for the occasion. On the first day of the new year, people dress in their best outfits to celebrate and visit loved ones with well wishes.

The act of wearing new clothes for the New Year’s Eve symbolizes “casting off the old and welcoming the new.” Bright, cheerful colors like red and gold are favored, creating a joyful atmosphere. Dark colors, such as black, are avoided as they are considered unlucky.

In Vietnamese tradition, Tết is not only a time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one, but also a deeply spiritual occasion. Beyond ancestor worship, many people visit temples and shrines to pray for blessings and good fortune for their families, hoping for a year filled with positivity.

For the Vietnamese, temple visits at the beginning of the year are more than just wishes; they are moments of connecting with the divine, leaving behind the struggles of daily life. People visit temples with various hopes—some pray for wealth, others for love or health and safety for themselves and their families.

Despite the modernization of society, the practice of visiting temples at the start of the year remains a cherished cultural tradition. It’s unclear when or where the first temple was built, but it is known that every village has its own place of worship. Temples, whether ancient or modern, are living symbols where individuals can connect with the rich spiritual heritage of Vietnam.

Tết is the time when we welcome the new year and bid farewell to the old, saying goodbye to the cold winter and embracing the warmth of spring. The new year brings fresh beginnings, like the lush green of spring with budding leaves. As the new year arrives, everyone has their own hopes and dreams, eagerly anticipating the good things to come. This is why the tradition of New Year greetings has been formed. People exchange kind words and well wishes, hoping that their friends and loved ones will achieve their goals. This cultural tradition, unique to the Vietnamese, has been passed down through generations.

The Vietnamese New Year greeting custom is summed up in the saying: “On the first day of Tết, greet the father; on the second day, greet the mother; on the third day, greet the teacher.” During Tết, people exchange gifts and red envelopes as a way to wish each other a year full of luck, prosperity, and success. This tradition, deeply rooted in the Vietnamese mindset, is an integral part of the Tết celebration and continues to be cherished and preserved to this day.