Top 8 Most Famous Tet Legends

Long ago, in the eastern mountains of Soc Son in northern Vietnam, there was a centuries-old peach tree. Its branches and leaves were unusually large and dense, casting a thick shadow over a vast area. Two deities, named Tra and Uat Luy, resided in this giant peach tree, spreading their divine power to protect the local people. Any evil spirits or demons that approached could not escape the wrath of these two gods. The monsters feared the thunderous might of the gods so much that even the mere sight of the tree's branches sent them fleeing. At the end of each year, like other gods, Tra and Uat Luy would ascend to heaven to pay homage to the Jade Emperor. During the Tet holiday, when the gods were absent, evil spirits wreaked havoc. To ward off these spirits, people would cut branches from the peach tree to place in their homes. Those who couldn't find a branch would draw images of the two deities on pink paper and stick them on the front door to keep the demons away.

Over time, the original meaning of this ritual was forgotten, and belief in demons and deities faded. Today, peach blossoms and apricot flowers brighten homes during Tet, and the sight of red paper and couplets are part of the joyous and lively atmosphere of the New Year season.

The Legend of the Kitchen Gods tells the story of a poor couple. The husband, often drunk and angry, would mistreat his wife. One day, the wife left and met a kind hunter. They married and lived happily together. When the hunter helped a beggar, his former wife gave him food and money. The hunter, upon returning, suspected his wife of infidelity, which led to a misunderstanding and sorrow for the wife. In an attempt to explain, the wife tragically took her own life while cooking. When the former husband learned of her death, he regretted his actions and burned himself alive alongside her. The second husband, realizing the truth, was filled with shame and sadness. Unable to live without her, he too committed suicide to join his wife in death.

The Jade Emperor in heaven, knowing of the tragic love and the mistakes made, transformed them into the Kitchen Gods. These three figures, with their heads together holding a pot, were given the task of watching over families on Earth. On the last day of the lunar year, people prepare a special meal to honor the Kitchen Gods and burn offerings to help them on their journey back to heaven.

The legend of the square and round cakes is a traditional Vietnamese story associated with the Lunar New Year offerings. The story dates back to the reign of King Hung VI, who organized a competition to select his successor. Two of the king's sons, Lang Lieu and Au Co, were chosen to compete. The king decided that the son who could prepare the most meaningful and delicious food would inherit the throne. Lang Lieu, the seventh son, decided to make square and round cakes. He used special ingredients such as sticky rice, green beans, pork, and banana leaves. The square cake symbolized the Earth, and the round cake symbolized the Sky. When King Hung VI opened the cakes, he was struck by their deep symbolic meaning. The square shape of the cake represented the harmony between heaven and earth, while the round shape signified unity, wholeness, and balance. Moved by the profound symbolism of the cakes, Lang Lieu was chosen as the successor.

Since then, during each Lunar New Year, the Vietnamese prepare square and round cakes as offerings to their ancestors, representing family bonds, gratitude, and unity. These cakes have become an essential part of the rituals celebrated by the Vietnamese people during this time.

The story of the Narcissus flower revolves around a wealthy man with four sons. Before he passed away, he asked his sons to divide his wealth equally. However, the three older sons broke their promise and left their youngest brother with only a barren plot of land. Heartbroken and feeling unjustly treated, the youngest son sat crying alone. Suddenly, a fairy appeared from a nearby pond and told him that the land he had inherited contained a hidden treasure—the seed of a rare and valuable flower. Each spring, this flower would bloom, filling the air with its fragrance. The youngest son named the flower Narcissus in honor of the fairy's kindness.

As the Narcissus flower became a symbol of prosperity, it attracted collectors and flower enthusiasts, making the youngest son wealthier than his greedy brothers. Thanks to the magical flower, the youngest son became rich, acquiring great fortune. People believe that the Narcissus flower brings good luck and prosperity, which is why it is a traditional symbol during the Lunar New Year. In the days leading up to the New Year, people nurture Narcissus flowers, hoping they will bloom on New Year's Eve, bringing wealth, abundance, and good fortune in the year ahead.

In ancient Vietnamese legend, the tradition of setting off firecrackers and sprinkling lime powder during the Lunar New Year originates from ancient beliefs. The Vietnamese once believed in evil deities, including a god named Na-A and his wife, also called Na-A. These two deities brought misfortune to people. Despite their wickedness, they were terrified of light and noise. They would avoid daylight and cause havoc at night, leaving the villagers in constant fear. While other deities tried to restrain them, they were unable to eliminate them completely. On New Year's Eve, when the protective gods returned to heaven to attend the Jade Emperor, Na-A and his wife had the chance to spread fear among the people. To protect themselves, the villagers were taught to light firecrackers, use lanterns, and make loud noises to drive away the evil couple. Since then, on New Year's Eve, firecrackers have been set off, with the belief that the noise and the smell of gunpowder can scare away Na-A and bring good fortune for the coming year.

To ward off evil spirits during the New Year, people also sprinkle lime powder around their homes and draw protective symbols on their doorsteps, following the advice of a god during the reign of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng. Back then, plagues spread because the bodies of fallen soldiers were left unburied after battles, leading to the appearance of malicious spirits that harmed the people. King Đinh was instructed to use lime powder to drive away these spirits and prevent further misfortune. Since then, the practice of sprinkling lime powder for protection has become an essential part of the Vietnamese New Year tradition.

In ancient times, people did not know how to measure time or determine their own age. In a peaceful kingdom, the king wanted to reward the oldest person, but no one knew who was the oldest, as no one knew their age. The king sent messengers to ask the gods. The River God pointed to the Sea, the Sea God pointed to the Mountain, and the Mountain God pointed to the Sun. The messenger eventually encountered an old woman picking peach blossoms. She would pick the blossoms every time they bloomed, marking the passing time as she waited for her distant child.

Upon returning, the messenger reported to the king that the old woman measured time through the blooming of peach blossoms. The wise king devised a system to count age: each time the peach blossoms bloomed, a year would be added. The king also decided that the day the peach blossoms bloomed would mark the start of the Lunar New Year, lasting for three days and nights, to celebrate the occasion. This tradition has been passed down through the centuries and is now the Lunar New Year.

During the Lunar New Year, the Tet pole is not just a tradition, but a deep, mythical story about the struggle between humans and demons to protect their land. The Tet pole symbolizes human defense against the demons' intrusion into their territory. According to historical records, humans and demons once fought fiercely over land and agricultural resources. With the help of Buddha, humans triumphed over demons using clever and magical strategies.

To commemorate this victory and prevent demons from interfering during the Lunar New Year, people decorate Tet poles in front of their homes. By hanging pandanus leaves, sprinkling lime powder, and using other symbols, they believe they can keep demons at bay. This story is not just a tradition, but also a way to remember an important historical event and protect families from the interference of mystical forces.

The story of the golden apricot blossom tells of a girl named Mai, the daughter of a brave hunter. Trained as a skilled warrior from a young age, she and her father set out to defeat a demon threatening their village. Though she succeeded in slaying the demon, she sacrificed herself to protect the villagers when the demon sought revenge. Out of compassion, Jade Emperor granted her rebirth, allowing her to return to her family for nine days. After her family passed away, she did not return, instead transforming into an apricot tree that grew at the village temple. The golden apricot flowers bloom during the nine days of the Lunar New Year, symbolizing good fortune and warding off evil spirits.

This story reflects the Vietnamese dream of a peaceful and prosperous life. Though the apricot flower is just a plant, it has become a cherished cultural symbol, representing the traditional values and the deep significance it holds in the celebration of Vietnam's Lunar New Year.