Top 20 Must-Have Items for Tet

As Tet Nguyen Dan is approaching, each of us has begun the search for practical and meaningful Tet gifts for both sides of the family.

For those who have their own families, Tet is an unmissable occasion for expressing gratitude. Take the time to care for both families, observe if there's anything lacking in household items. Is there anything that needs repairing or replacing? If the income of your couple is relatively stable, consider buying a new microwave, a new refrigerator, a new water heater, or a new TV for your in-laws or parents. These items are not only practical Tet gifts for parents but also carry great spiritual value. They express gratitude, affirm your responsibility, and demonstrate your special care for the family.

Chung Cake, Giay Cake are two traditional cakes during Tet in the Northern regions. Like apricot blossoms and peach blossoms, Tet will not be complete without the presence of these two types of cakes. For this reason, Chung Cake, Giay Cake are also among the most essential items to buy for Tet.

However, in the South, people rarely use Chung Cake, Giay Cake for Tet but instead opt for a type of cake closely associated with Southern people - Tet Cake. The presence of Tet Cake in each family in the Southern region has long become a tradition, a practice that is difficult to change. Therefore, aunts and uncles in the Southern region often prepare Tet Cake for the grand Tet festival.

The taste of Tet will never be complete without the vibrant yellow of a peach blossom branch or the gentle pink of cherry blossoms. Therefore, peach blossoms, cherry blossoms naturally become the number one priority item to buy for Tet. Besides their use for Tet decoration, these two types of flowers also symbolize the traditional Tet season of Vietnam. Every Tet season, as spring arrives, you can see golden peach blossoms and bright red cherry blossoms proudly displaying their colors as if claiming to be the 'queens' of spring to the earth and sky.

Alongside peach and cherry blossoms, many families also purchase chrysanthemums, daisies, or a peace tree, for example. All these vibrant colors, along with the meanings of the names of the flowers and plants, will bring a truly spring atmosphere to everyone's home.

The tradition of enjoying a cup of tea with preserves on the first morning of spring has long been a familiar custom in most Vietnamese families every Tet. For this reason, tea and preserves are also listed as the most essential products to buy for Tet.

Moreover, Tet is also a time for relatives and friends to visit and greet each other at home. 'When guests come to visit, tea and preserves are a must' - this saying has deeply engraved itself in the consciousness of every citizen through generations. Hence, tea and preserves are the top priority to 'treat guests' when they stop by.

One of the must-buy items for Tet according to Mytour is the Five-Fruit Tray. The Vietnamese people have a long-standing tradition of worshipping ancestors, so a five-fruit tray placed on the ancestral altar during Tet is indispensable. The Five-Fruit Tray typically includes five common fruits: custard apple, coconut, papaya, mango, and areca nut. The selection of these five is symbolic, as in Vietnamese tradition, their names are associated with auspicious wishes for the new year: success, growth, fulfillment, usage, and prosperity.

Today, in addition to the traditional five fruits, many families also choose various other fruits such as oranges, pomelos, apples, pears, etc., to add vibrant colors to their ancestral altars.

Tet is the moment when everyone wants to 'refresh' themselves the most. Because we often believe that the old year corresponds to old things, while the new year will bring along new, fresh things. That's why every year, as Tet Nguyen Dan approaches, people from all walks of life enthusiastically go shopping for new clothes. Therefore, new clothes are also one of the most important items to buy during Tet.

New clothes, although just a few items, seem to contain the spiritual value of each person on the first days of spring. When we put on new clothes, it shows that we are extremely joyful, eager, and ready to enjoy a complete and fulfilling spring with our family and loved ones.

The tradition of red envelope giving at the beginning of the year is a distinctive cultural feature of traditional Vietnamese Tet. On the morning of the first day, parents or adults in the family will give each child a red envelope with a little 'lucky money' inside. They hope that this can help the children study better and be healthier in the new year.

Conversely, when receiving a bright red envelope, the little ones will have to send wishes for health and peace to the person who gave them the red envelope - as a return gesture. That's why red envelopes hold a very important position on Tet day, so naturally, it is one of the most essential items to buy at the beginning of the year!

Sweets and cakes during Tet are undoubtedly indispensable in every Tet season. Perhaps only during Tet, the candy tray becomes so sweet, meaningful, and beautiful. On Tet day, almost every family displays various types of cakes, candies, and Tet sweets on the guest table, which are initially meant for entertaining guests and later for the whole family to gather and enjoy together. The candy tray usually includes a variety of treats, symbolizing the desire for harmony, family reunion. Additionally, arranging the Tet candy tray must include a variety of flavors such as sour, spicy, sweet, and nutty, corresponding to the characteristic tastes of the four seasons in a year. This reflects the cultural essence of Tet in Vietnamese people.

Sweets and cakes are undoubtedly indispensable every Tet.

'Green square cakes next to red watermelons
Yellow apricot blossoms beside fresh peach branches'

Tet cannot lack green square cakes, yellow apricot blossoms, fresh peach branches, so it certainly cannot lack red watermelons. In the past, every spring, every family had to have at least one pair of Tet watermelons, large and beautiful on the ancestral altar.

Although the custom of displaying watermelons on Tet has somewhat faded today, almost everyone still considers watermelons as an essential item to buy during Tet. Perhaps because watermelons are a very easy-to-eat fruit, sweet and juicy, they are loved by people whether living in large urban areas or remote rural areas.

Moreover, the red color of the round and plump watermelons adds joy and excitement to the hearts of people in the spring. Therefore, even though the tradition of displaying watermelons is no longer common, watermelon vendors remain popular and in demand.

Shopping for food during Tet is the most challenging task for housewives. During Tet, supermarkets, stores, and markets, both big and small, are closed, so women need to shop and buy food before Tet, then store and use it gradually.

Approximately a month before Tet, you should buy dried goods such as mushrooms, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms because these are easy to store. As Tet approaches, you can buy meat such as beef, chicken, pork, sausage, ham, eggs, duck eggs, and various types of fresh vegetables. After buying, you should categorize and have a careful storage plan. This way, the food during the 3 Tet days will always be fresh and delicious.

Indulging in various seeds and dried fruits is a delight for the people of Vietnam during the Tet days. Common seeds such as pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, and sunflower seeds are an essential part of the festive spread, accompanying sweets and cakes during Tet. Alongside fruits and confectioneries, various seeds that are beneficial for health will enhance the Tet experience when enjoyed with a cup of hot tea.

Considered a beautiful tradition in the traditional Tet culinary culture of the Vietnamese people, these various seeds are not only snacks for the whole family to enjoy with a cup of hot tea but also a Tet gift full of nutritional value and good health.

Currently, the demand for using plates, bowls, and kitchen utensils is extremely high because homemakers are actively decorating the culinary space of their families with high-quality Bat Trang ceramic dinnerware at the end of the year.

Beautiful and elegant dish sets will make the dishes look more enticing. Many women have the habit of buying a brand new beautiful dish set to display or serve guests. Tea pots, spoons, forks, chopsticks, and trays for Tet sweets should also be on this list.

Every year during the traditional Tet festival, alongside the bustling shopping for new items and clothes, no family forgets to give their homes a 'new outfit.' Our homes seem to be renewed. This not only reflects the appreciation for traditional values but also signals the approaching Tet atmosphere.

Items such as household cleaning tools like mops, brooms, scrub brushes, doormats, etc., are often replaced by homemakers each year. Some believe that using a new broom sweeps away bad luck and brings in the new. At the end of the year, everyone is busy cleaning their homes, making these tools essential.

As Tet approaches, apart from preparing a colorful cake tray, getting ready for delicious dishes is indispensable. Vietnamese people, especially the gentlemen, love to gather with friends, drink draft beer, and enjoy various snacks. Snacks paired with beer are diverse. Any boiled, rare, or grilled dish can easily accompany a few glasses of beer. On Tet day, delightful snacks for the family to enjoy together or treat guests are essential.

Favorite Tet snacks for men include dried chicken with lemongrass leaves, dried beef, dried shrimp, pickled sweet and sour dishes, and more. Therefore, ladies, remember to buy at least one type of snack!

From the 26th day of the lunar calendar, everyone enthusiastically prepares decorative items to make their homes more prosperous, such as offering flowers, ornamental plants (apricot, peach, chrysanthemum, etc.), and red parallel sentences...

Vietnamese people have a beautiful tradition, the filial piety, so the most solemn place in the house is dedicated to the ancestral altar, Buddha altar, and ancestors' altar. During the spring days, the family altar becomes even more crucial. The elders used to say, look at the altar in the middle of the house to understand the family. Honoring ancestors, respecting parents, the condition of the altar 'speaks' a lot about the filial piety of the descendants. Therefore, the altar items are carefully chosen to be both respectful and reflect the heartfelt sentiment of the descendants.

Beverages during Tet are essential for cooling down, detoxifying, and relieving heaviness after indulging in rich and savory dishes. If you're too busy with work or your location is not convenient for frequent trips to the market or supermarket, one of the most economical Tet shopping tips homemakers should know is to buy beverages in large quantities like crates or cases.

Nowadays, with life becoming more convenient, anything you need, just head to the market or supermarket, and you'll find everything in no time. However, no matter what you buy, having a comprehensive and thoughtful shopping list ensures you never have to worry about missing something or having an excess of another.

From the 26th day of the lunar calendar, everyone is excitedly preparing decorations to make their homes more prosperous with offerings such as incense, decorative flowers (apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, chrysanthemums, etc.), and red parallel sentences...

Vietnamese people have a beautiful tradition, which is filial piety. Therefore, the most solemn place in the house, the ancestral altar, Buddha's altar, and the ancestors' altar, becomes even more important during the spring days. In spring, the family altar becomes more crucial. Our ancestors used to say, look at the altar in the middle of the house to know how that family is. Maintaining the tradition of honoring ancestors, respecting fathers and grandfathers, the items on the altar are also carefully chosen to be both suitable and reverent, expressing the hearts of descendants.

According to Vietnamese tradition, alongside incense bowls, water cups, and fruits on the ancestral altar for offerings on full moon days, New Year's Day, Tet, and death anniversaries, there is always a beautiful flower vase. Arranging flowers on the altar expresses sincerity, solemnity, and offers gratitude for the less materialistic values. For Buddhist practitioners, flowers also symbolize kindness, reminding them of virtuous deeds, and beautiful flowers will bring sweet fruits in the future.

Beautiful vases and fresh flowers are undoubtedly indispensable during the Tet season. However, beautiful altar flowers alone are not enough; you must choose the right types of flowers for worshiping on the ancestral altar.

Hanging Tet couplets in the house has long been a beautiful cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people. The presence of these Tet couplets on Tet day enhances the joyful and vibrant atmosphere, making people feel warm, peaceful, and welcoming the new year with enthusiasm. Therefore, Tet couplets will be an essential item for your home during the Tet holiday.

Tet couplets are often written on pink or red paper using ink or gold thread, and some are even written on red paper coated with gold. The content conveys wishes and expresses the hope for a new year filled with peace, happiness, and luck. Tet couplets always carry a sense of love and sincerity towards grandparents, parents, or wish everyone around for prosperity and success in the upcoming Tet season.

It has become a rule that, as Tet approaches, all items in the market tend to increase in price, and dried goods are no exception. Mrs. Tran Thi Nhung (Dong Da - Hanoi) shares: 'Before Tet, all items in the market increase by 10%-15% compared to normal days, so I usually buy dried foods such as dried bamboo shoots, fragrant vermicelli, dried bamboo shoots a month before Tet to save costs.'

Dried foods are the result of drying or dehydrating fruits and meats to remove the water content inside. Dried foods include many types, such as traditional dried shrimp, various types of seeds, or processed products like dried fruits and dried bamboo shoots. Since most of the water content has been removed, dried foods are lightweight, and their nutritional value often exceeds the original nutrient content. About 15 days to 1 month before Tet, you should buy dried goods like fragrant mushrooms, vermicelli, and dried bamboo shoots because these are easy to store. After purchasing, you should classify and have a careful preservation plan to avoid damage and prevent bacterial contamination.

Every Tet, most Vietnamese people gather with their families, busy preparing and decorating their homes for a warm celebration. Nowadays, many families choose to decorate with twinkling lights during this time, making it an essential item for Tet. For individual altars in the living room, many families opt to use twinkling lights to illuminate the altar and picture frames. Alternatively, for a more modern touch, you can use wall-mounted lights or simple wall lamps to focus the light on specific points on the altar.

It's important to choose visually appealing twinkling lights for Tet decorations, creating a simple yet elegant home decor. You can select options such as LED decorative light strings, outdoor LED light strings, decorating indoor plants with twinkling lights, using colored twinkling light strings, transparent twinkling light strings, black and white strings, and more. This diverse selection allows for beautiful and cost-effective Tet home decorations.