Top 16 Must-Do Things to Attract Luck During Tet Nhâm Dần 2022

Spring is called the season of happiness and new vitality in the year. It's also a time for families to gather, reunite to enjoy the warmth of kinship in the vibrant atmosphere of traditional festivals. However, it's sad when there are countless difficult circumstances that prevent some from welcoming the new year like others. With the longstanding spirit of compassion of the nation, every Tet holiday is a time for us to perform charitable deeds to share joy and help the surrounding community in need.

With the spirit of sharing to help the poor families have a warm spring, a meaningful Tet, Tet charity programs are one of the most charitable activities to do in the year. According to the law of karma, when you do a good deed, you accumulate great blessings in life, which can dispel past bad karma. Therefore, start the new year by engaging in charity sincerely and seriously to feel the meaning of life. The happiness from helping others will be the greatest luck you receive in the new year.

Our ancestors had a saying, 'Buy salt at the beginning of the year, buy lime at the end of the year.' The tradition of buying salt at the beginning of the year has become a long-standing tradition associated with the traditional Tet in the Northern region. With its positive yang energy, salt is considered a spiritually beneficial substance that effectively dispels negative energies and influences surrounding homes. Not only that, salt is also seen as a symbol of luck and strong family bonds. Therefore, on the first day of the year, we easily encounter vendors selling 'lucky salt' from the early morning in the plains of the Northern region. If you live in the Southern provinces, you can also prepare jars of salt to welcome a new year filled with the flavors of fortune and familial warmth.

Salt symbolizes deep affection, richness, unity, and satisfaction. Salt crystals have a high degree of purity, white in color symbolizing cleanliness and purity, representing good feelings. The tradition of buying salt at the beginning of the year signifies the desire for strong family bonds, harmony, and unity between spouses and children. According to ancient beliefs, salt is a deterrent to evil spirits, can expel malevolent forces, and bring luck to the family. Furthermore, it represents the enduring familial warmth in relationships among relatives, neighbors, and business associates throughout the year. Therefore, on the morning of the first day of Tet, many salt vendors stroll through streets, village roads, or in front of temples to sell salt. Most people eagerly and happily buy a small bag of salt to bring luck for the whole year.

According to the folk belief of Vietnamese people since ancient times, every family should avoid sweeping the house on the first day of Lunar New Year because it may sweep away the luck bestowed by the Heavens and Earth on the transitional night. Therefore, cleaning and tidying up the house are done by every household and completed before the first day to welcome the ancestors and auspicious deities. The prohibition of sweeping and taking out garbage on the first day of the year originates from a Vietnamese folk tale called 'the legend of the broom.' The story tells of a woman who was a cook on the Heavenly Palace but, due to her greed, offended the Jade Emperor. Subsequently, he ordered her to become a broom to come into contact daily with the filth and dirt of the mortal world.

Later, witnessing the prisoner's suffering from this laborious work day after day, the Jade Emperor took pity on her - the broom was then allowed to rest for three days at the beginning of the new year, which are the first three days of the Lunar New Year today. Whether this mythical story is true or not, the tradition of not sweeping the house at the beginning of the year has become a unique cultural aspect in the spiritual life of every Vietnamese person at the start of the new year. According to that belief, the first day of the Lunar New Year should absolutely refrain from sweeping the house. Sweeping the house on this day means sweeping away fortune and luck. Avoid borrowing or lending money because borrowing signals bad luck and financial scarcity. Additionally, people refrain from reminding each other of debts on the first day of the new year.

Surely during Tet, everyone prepares themselves with the finest attire for lively outings with family and friends. Particularly, wearing new clothes on the first day of Tet not only welcomes guests but also symbolizes a fresh start, signifying auspiciousness for the entire year. Pay attention to choosing lucky and vibrant colors on the first day of the year such as red for harmonious relationships, yellow for wealth and prosperity, green for fulfilling wishes... These cheerful colors bring positive energy, dispelling misfortune and welcoming abundance into the home at the beginning of the year. Especially, if you believe in astrology and feng shui, you should consider colors suitable for your zodiac sign in the Year of the Ox.

According to folk beliefs, the first day of Tet marks the beginning of a new year, so everything must go smoothly for a prosperous year. For this reason, Vietnamese people prefer colors that bring luck for themselves and their families through clothing. Our ancestors often said that red represents strength and power, and this color appears everywhere. According to Eastern beliefs, this color brings happiness and luck. In terms of feng shui, red plays an important role. It symbolizes fire and fame. Red enhances energy and creates prominence. Red is a symbol of luck, prosperity, and joy, so it is believed that wearing red during Tet will bring much luck and blessings to the family throughout the year.

One of the long-standing traditional beauties of the Vietnamese people is the custom of visiting ancestors' graves from the last days of the lunar month to the first days of the new year. This is also the time when family members gather together to remember their ancestors and beloved ones who have passed away. Cleaning and tidying up the graves before Tet is a spiritual habit of every Vietnamese person to show filial piety to the deceased. At the beginning of the year, you should take the time to visit your ancestors' graves to share the events of the past year and pray for blessings from your ancestors for a smoother and more peaceful new year.

Vietnamese spiritual tradition believes that when the new year comes, everything must be prepared and renewed, including the resting place of ancestors and relatives. The tradition of visiting ancestors' graves reminds descendants to think of their ancestors every spring. It is also an expression of gratitude towards one's roots. It is said: 'A tree with strong roots will sprout lush branches, and a river with a deep source will flow wide and deep.' As an old folk saying goes: 'People have ancestors and lineage - Like trees have roots, and rivers have sources,' visiting ancestors' graves is also a characteristic feature of our ancient culture, a tradition in the 'ancestor worship' of our people that has long become a tradition. No matter how busy life may be, no matter how far one may wander for livelihood throughout the year, on this day, the place to return to is always family.

The majority of Vietnamese people visit temples following family tradition. From generation to generation, for those following the Buddhist faith, visiting temples has long been a daily activity. Everyone who comes to the temple seeks peace for their family, understands the Law of Cause and Effect through Buddhist teachings, and hopes to teach their descendants to live better and do good deeds. At the entrance to the Buddha's gate, amidst the peaceful atmosphere, the smell of incense, and the colorful lanterns, each of us will feel our hearts become lighter and more serene. At the beginning of the year, when the essence of heaven and earth gathers and bestows blessings upon everyone, according to Vietnamese customs, the tradition of visiting temples at the beginning of the year to pray for blessings for the whole family throughout the new year is indispensable.

For most people, visiting temples at the beginning of the year is to pray for all the lifelong wishes of human beings such as health, love, wealth, fame, and fortune... However, for those who understand Buddhist Philosophy and the Law of Cause and Effect correctly, when visiting temples, we should only pray for a pure soul, understand right from wrong, and live in accordance with the moral teachings of Buddha, then naturally, blessings will come to each individual. Remember that the Buddha is the 'Enlightened One,' not a supernatural deity; He is a teacher to guide humanity to the most peaceful and happy path according to the Eternal Law of Cause and Effect. Therefore, when visiting temples in the new year, we should worship the Buddha with all sincerity to bring peace to our minds and greater wisdom.

On the first day of the year, visiting relatives and friends to exchange Tet wishes is a common tradition in every family, especially the custom of celebrating birthdays and exchanging lucky money envelopes. According to the law of giving and receiving, the amount of money received or given in each lucky money envelope is not important; what matters is the good luck and blessings the giver wishes to send to the recipient. During the Tet days, you should prepare lucky money envelopes in advance in your pocket to be proactive in communication, and the bright red color of the envelopes will bring luck and prosperity to you throughout the year. For a long time, giving and receiving lucky money envelopes has become an indispensable custom during Tet. Celebrating birthdays is not limited to the first day but can extend to the second, third, and even the tenth day. Perhaps, what children always look forward to and eagerly anticipate the most is receiving a red lucky money envelope from adults, containing beautiful green and red coins, making them happier and happier than ever.

The custom of giving lucky money envelopes carries many deep and good meanings. The envelope symbolizes discretion, not comparing more or less, to avoid unnecessary conflicts. The red color of the lucky money envelope symbolizes auspiciousness, prosperity, and good luck throughout the year. Additionally, it is also considered the color of hope and luck. The recipients of lucky money envelopes always believe that these envelopes will bring happiness and wealth throughout the year. Every morning on the first day of Tet, after waking up early and wearing beautiful clothes, adults and children will take turns to wish their grandparents, parents, longevity, and give lucky money envelopes. Then, adults will give children lucky money envelopes containing money along with wishes for happiness and all the best for their loved ones throughout the year.

Harvesting Spring Fortune is the tradition of picking small branches (fortune branches) to bring home for luck, which takes place during Tet Nguyen Dan, in the first days of the new year. These fortune branches are small branches of trees such as fig trees, peach blossom branches, or apricot blossom branches, typically the types of trees that are evergreen and budding. Fortune represents the first bud, the new sprout. The fortune branches are brought home, hung in front of the house or placed in vases, hung in the middle or at the entrance to ward off evil spirits, or as a sign that luck and fortune have been brought into the home. On Tet day, we often see many people going to the temple to harvest fortune branches... It is understandable that harvesting fortune branches at sacred temples implies a request to enjoy a bit of the luck bestowed by the deities, Buddhas for a prosperous year.

Vietnamese people have the tradition of harvesting fortune branches from ancient times. After the New Year's Eve, people often go to the temple to pick a small fortune branch symbolizing bringing the sprouting luck home, praying for a peaceful new year. However, in recent years, the distortion of this tradition has harmed crops and destroyed the environment. Therefore, one should not pick large branches, as a small leafy branch with a joyful, benevolent soul is enough to attract luck and fortune home. Harvesting spring fortune has long become a custom with the desire to bring good things to the whole family in the new year.

Many countries in Asia, including Vietnam, often place great importance on their actions and the food they eat on the first day of the new year. They believe that the beginning of a new year is a sign of a year full of luck and happiness. So, make sure to stock up on lucky dishes to eat on the first day of the new year to bring luck! Surely, during Tet, every household prepares sumptuous feasts to celebrate with family and friends at the beginning of the new year, right?

For many people, they also focus on choosing foods with feng shui and spiritual significance to start the year off smoothly and prosperously. Even though this belief may be somewhat superstitious, there's no harm in trying lucky dishes during Tet, right? According to ancient beliefs, you should start the new year with dishes like:

• Bitter melon soup: Symbolizing overcoming hardship and filling the year with happiness.
• Fish-based dishes: Symbolizing wealth and abundance.
• Longevity noodles: Symbolizing health, peace, and longevity.
• Fruits shaped like circles: Symbolizing abundance and completeness throughout the year...

This is a long-standing traditional custom. On the morning of the first day of Tet, the first guest to visit the house is considered the first-footer, symbolically stepping into the house. If this person is auspiciously aligned with the homeowner, it is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the household. According to tradition, the 'first-foot' hour begins after midnight, and the 'first-footer' is the first guest to enter the house from that time until the morning of the first day of Tet. Since ancient times, our ancestors believed that the 'first-footer' would have a significant influence on the luck, happiness, career, and wealth of the entire family in the new year.

Each family has its own territorial area, and someone from outside coming into that area is called a first-footer. 'First' denotes stepping forward, entering, while 'foot' signifies the territory of that family. Therefore, Tet is the beginning of a new year, and the first visitors to a family are considered the 'first-footers.' Vietnamese people believe that the first day of the lunar new year marks the opening of the new year, and those who are auspiciously aligned with the homeowner on this day will bring prosperity, peace, luck, and health to the family in the new year.

Anger is a natural response to physical or emotional pain. The emotion of anger may occur when the body feels unwell, rejected, threatened, or experiences some loss. It can cause problems in our lives and the lives of those around us. Anger is an emotion when something is beyond our control or feels unfair, when we cannot achieve our goals, or when we are hurt or threatened. We may also feel angry when we are under too much stress. Anger can be related to a range of emotions, more serious issues, such as being hurt or seeing others hurt, can trigger strong feelings like anger.

If feelings of anger and worry always dominate your mind, then surely you will not be able to be happy, comfortable, or do meaningful things for yourself and others. Especially during Tet, feelings of anger and worry will make you distant, taking away the joy and fresh spirit for the whole family. Tet is a time to rejoice, harmonize with the joyful atmosphere of the earth and sky, so free yourself from all worries, all anger in the old year to welcome a better new year. That way, you will fully feel the joy of the new year right away.

On Tet day, elders advise their descendants not to break dishes, cups, argue, or curse each other, avoiding unpleasant events within the family. Moreover, people often refrain from mentioning risks or bad things during Tet. According to folklore, arguing on Tet day is a sign that the family will have many tasks to do throughout the year, and arguing on Tet not only affects the feng shui at home but also causes discord between spouses, spoiling the joy of Tet. In addition, our ancestors were very superstitious about breaking dishes and cups on the first day of the year because that breakage symbolizes division, separation, and unfavorable relationships in the new year.

In reality, Tet is the time when couples are most likely to have conflicts. From shopping before Tet, buying gifts for relatives, cleaning the house, to eating Tet meals... all can lead to issues that cause arguments between spouses. Even long-married couples have to face these problems. The solution for couples is that when Tet comes, they should empathize and listen to each other more. There is only one Tet holiday a year, for resting, bonding, and welcoming the new year together. Many tasks can be done more quickly if both agree. If you don't understand each other's perspective, talk it out slowly. Everyone wants to be close to their family, but what's most important is to think for each other.

According to Vietnamese beliefs, the first day of Tet is not only the beginning of the new year but also the time when heaven and earth converge, and all things come to life. Vietnamese people especially value actions taken at the first moment of the new spring. In the traditional Tet customs, the first journey of the year signifies the wish for a smooth and prosperous new year. Therefore, people carefully consider the auspicious time and direction for their first trip, hoping to encounter lots of luck in the coming new year. As for business people, they are concerned about the opening day.

For business owners and traders, they also meticulously choose the day to open their business, hoping for a prosperous and successful year ahead. For merchants and traders, the first day of sales, also known as the opening day, is carefully selected. They avoid choosing unfavorable days to prevent business difficulties and challenges throughout the year. For travelers, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year is considered inauspicious, as Vietnamese people believe it's not suitable for traveling. There's a folk saying, “On the fifth day, the fourteenth, and the third day after, if you go out for fun, you'll end up losing.”

The arrival of Tet and the advent of spring mark the beginning of the new year, filled with many hopes and aspirations. During the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people often visit temples to seek calligraphy blessings. This tradition has become a beautiful cultural and spiritual aspect of everyone's life. Seeking calligraphy blessings at the beginning of the year demonstrates the reverence for literacy, knowledge, and the desire to obtain auspicious characters, wishing for a year of fortune and blessings. No one knows exactly where this tradition originated from. However, from ancient times, literacy has been highly regarded by the Vietnamese. Those who are literate not only have the opportunity to succeed in official positions, bringing glory to their family and homeland, but also serve as role models for a moral and meaningful way of life, embodying integrity, virtue, affection, and respect for order, serving as a mirror for everyone. Therefore, literacy is called 'sacred characters,' and those who are literate are called 'educated.'

Those who write beautiful characters not only demonstrate diligent practice but also showcase artistic skill. Later on, calligraphy was elevated to the status of Fine Art, with many considering beautifully written characters as works of art. The spring festival, for the Vietnamese, is the beginning of the new year and also the beginning of everything new. Therefore, people hope for themselves and their families to have better, more prosperous things. The tradition of seeking calligraphy blessings - for characters, perhaps originated from those who value literacy, cherishing beautiful characters, hence during the spring season, seeking them is akin to seeking a kind of lucky charm, a display of excellence.

Many believe that all debts should be settled before the new year begins. Starting the new year with debts could mean carrying heavier burdens throughout the year. If unable to settle within the year, people often set a specific time to do so, avoiding the scenario of being pursued for debts or spending money at the start of the new year. On Tet, Vietnamese people have the belief that the first day of the year sets the tone for the rest of the year, signifying luck and prosperity.

Therefore, Vietnamese people are very cautious about borrowing and lending, including lending or borrowing items, demanding or repaying debts, whether it be money or goods, on the first day of the new year. Borrowing at the beginning of the year signifies shortage throughout the year. Lending at the beginning of the year disperses wealth. Demanding debts at the beginning of the year can disrupt harmony. Repaying debts at the beginning of the year is like sending luck away from the household. To ensure a smooth-sailing, prosperous new year, it's advisable to adhere to this belief.

At the beginning of the new year, Vietnamese people also have the custom of going out to seek fortune. Going out to seek fortune means leaving the house on the first day of the year to seek luck for oneself and the family. Before going out, people must choose a good day, time, and direction to hope to encounter auspicious gods, wealth gods... Usually, people follow good directions, go to temples, shrines, or visit and wish Tet to their seniors, relatives, or friends. For farmers in the past, going out at the beginning of the new year was also to observe the weather. In the first days of the year, when the sun rises, people go out to see the direction of the wind, they can guess whether the new year will be lucky or unlucky.

If going out to temples or shrines, after worshiping, people also have the custom of taking a “luck branch” to bring home for luck and blessings. That is the custom of “picking luck”. The luck branch is a small branch of fig trees, fig trees, cacti... are types of plants that are green and prosperous all year round. The custom of picking luck at temples implies asking for a bit of luck from the gods or Buddhas for the new year. This luck branch is usually brought home and placed on the ancestral altar. Going out is a custom on the first day of the year to invite luck and fortune for the family. Before going out, you need to choose a good day, time, and direction to hope to encounter auspicious gods, wealth gods, auspicious gods... Usually, people often go out to temples, shrines, or visit and wish Tet to their seniors, relatives, or friends.