Tet reminder for the 23rd day of the Lunar New Year: Remember one thing not to give, two things not to eat, three actions to take, and two things to avoid to invite wealth and prosperity into your home.

(Mytour) The following Tet reminders for the 23rd day of the Lunar New Year, rooted in ancient folk beliefs, will help you avoid unintentional actions that could bring misfortune to you and your family during the 'Tao Quan' Festival, ensuring a peaceful and lucky start to the new year.

The 23rd day of the Lunar New Year marks the return of the Kitchen Gods to Heaven. On this day, Vietnamese families prepare offerings and gold papers to send off the Kitchen Gods on their journey.

The 'Tao Quan' Festival also marks the beginning of another 'Tet season.' People are busier than ever preparing for a smooth and prosperous new year. It is believed that the year begins with the first day of the Lunar New Year and ends with the Kitchen Gods' worship on the 23rd day. Therefore, this day carries the significance of connecting the past with the future.

This tradition holds great importance during the final days of the year before welcoming the Lunar New Year. When performing the rituals, the head of the household pays close attention to the taboos of this day to avoid offending the deities.

This is considered a tradition among the Chinese during the Kitchen Gods' festival on the 23rd day of the Lunar New Year.

On this day, it is customary to avoid giving steamed cakes made from wheat flour, especially those that are elaborately prepared and visually appealing.

During festival days, people enjoy steaming various dishes like noodles, buns, and rice rolls. Skilled cooks can shape steamed cakes into flowers or animals. These delicious and easy-to-eat treats symbolize prosperity in life. Family and friends exchange these cakes as a gesture of good wishes.

However, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, which is the Kitchen Gods' worship day, steamed cakes were traditionally offered to the Kitchen Gods. Therefore, it is not appropriate to give or share steamed cakes on this day, as it would be disrespectful to the deities.

Whether in the past or present, pickled vegetables have been a favorite dish for many due to their unique taste and ability to complement various dishes, helping to counteract heaviness in the meal.

However, many believe that pickled vegetables symbolize hardship, while the 23rd day of the Lunar New Year is a day to pray for blessings. People hope the new year will bring prosperity, free from worries about food and clothing. Therefore, it is clear that eating pickled vegetables at this time is inappropriate.

During the Kitchen Gods' worship ceremony, much attention is paid to the family reunion meal, and in some places, this meal is regarded as equally important as the evening meal on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year or the breakfast on the first day of the new year.

The dishes on the Kitchen Gods' offering tray are traditional foods symbolizing good fortune, peace, and luck. Many families may choose fish, but when eating fish, it is important not to finish the whole fish; the head and tail should be left uneaten.

This is because the head and tail symbolize the beginning and the end, while the remaining fish parts represent 'surplus,' signifying wealth, abundance, and prosperity year after year.

For more details: A guide to the traditional Kitchen Gods offering tray.

Although the 23rd of the Lunar New Year is not the official New Year celebration, it is still significant to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. Cleaning the house is an essential part of this occasion.

At this time, most families are busy sweeping away dust and wiping down every nook and cranny, window ledges, and furniture inside their homes.

In people's minds, sweeping dust is not just about cleaning, but also about driving away all the bad luck from the past year. When the new year arrives, everything old, dirty, and unfortunate must be banished to welcome good fortune in a clean and organized environment.

As a reminder for the 23rd of the Lunar New Year, not only should the house be cleaned, but personal hygiene must also be attended to. Therefore, you should make sure to bathe thoroughly and get a neat haircut.

The 23rd of the 12th lunar month marks the official start of the Lunar New Year celebration, with the festive atmosphere growing stronger. Streets and alleys begin to sparkle with colorful lights and decorations. People also start preparing to decorate their homes with red items to invite good fortune and enhance the festive mood.

You can decorate your home with red couplets, lanterns, or red paper streamers, with images or prayers for good luck in the coming year attached on top.

As per the customs of the 23rd of the 12th lunar month, you should avoid crushing garlic on this day, as it is considered a taboo when bidding farewell to the Kitchen Gods.

The 23rd of the 12th lunar month is not only the day for honoring the Kitchen Gods but also a time for family reunions. Regardless of how far you are or how busy you may be, it is important to make an effort to return home early and spend quality time with your family as you prepare to welcome the new year together.

Additionally, according to the tradition of honoring the Kitchen Gods, being absent from home during the night is considered disrespectful to them. Moreover, the weather is cold during this time of the year, and returning home late at night increases the risk of catching a cold or falling ill.

The guidelines above are for reference and reflection. Depending on regional customs and culture, different areas may have their own specific taboos related to the Kitchen Gods' day.

However, there is a popular belief that 'honoring brings blessings, and superstitions bring fortune.' I hope the reminders above provide you with useful insights for starting a new year full of success. Wishing you and your family a prosperous and joyful Year of the Dragon!

Feel free to check the best time and date for the Kitchen Gods' offerings in 2025: