Top 17 Traditional Customs During Tết Celebrations in Vietnam

The Five-Fruit Tray, placed on the ancestral altar, is a cherished tradition during Tết in Vietnam. It symbolizes the hopes for a peaceful, prosperous, and happy New Year. The fruit arrangement varies regionally, with the Northern tray typically featuring bananas, pomelos (or Buddha's hand fruit), oranges, kumquats, peaches, persimmons, apples, and pomegranates. The traditional arrangement places a bunch of bananas at the bottom, supporting the rest of the fruits. The centerpiece is often a large, ripe pomelo or Buddha's hand fruit, with smaller fruits like oranges and kumquats arranged around it. The balanced colors and sizes of the fruits create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing arrangement, bringing good fortune and positive energy for the year ahead.

The main fruits for the Five-Fruit Tray include: soursop, coconut, papaya, mango, and fig. These fruits, when pronounced, symbolize wishes for completeness and abundance, as their names sound like 'enough,' 'just right,' 'sufficient,' 'enjoyable,' and 'fruitful.' In Central Vietnam, the Five-Fruit Tray blends both Northern and Southern styles, with an even wider variety of fruits such as bananas, pomelos, mangoes, watermelons, oranges, apples, grapes, figs, pineapples, and soursops. The fruits are typically arranged with heavier ones at the bottom and lighter ones placed on top or in gaps, often accompanied by bright yellow chrysanthemums for added beauty.

Cleaning the house during Tết holds deep symbolic meaning, representing the act of 'saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new year.' On this day, all household items are thoroughly cleaned, new bowls and utensils are prepared for the Tết feast, and decorations are set up to give the home a fresh, welcoming look. Vietnamese families traditionally clean and tidy their homes in the days leading up to Tết to clear out the old, making way for new beginnings. It’s a time to put aside unresolved matters, settle debts if possible, and start the new year with good fortune and prosperity. Additionally, this is an opportunity to pay off any debts before the new year begins, ensuring a fresh start.

As Tết approaches, families eagerly come together to clean and redecorate their homes in preparation for the holiday. The tradition of cleaning before Tết has become an essential part of Vietnamese culture. Not only does it make the home spotless, but it also carries a deeper significance. After a year of challenges and responsibilities, Tết provides the chance for families to reorganize and refresh their space. This involves sweeping away dust, arranging items neatly, eliminating unpleasant odors, and ensuring the house feels clean and inviting. Cleaning before Tết also symbolizes a fresh start, clearing the 'mess' of the old year and ushering in a prosperous and peaceful new year.

In Vietnamese spiritual tradition, it is believed that as the new year arrives, everything must be refreshed and made new, including the resting places of ancestors and loved ones. The custom of visiting ancestral graves serves as a reminder for descendants to remember and honor their ancestors each spring. It is a reflection of the deep connection to one's roots. As the saying goes, 'A tree grows strong with roots, a river flows deep with its source.' This is echoed in ancient folk sayings: 'A person has their origins, just as a tree has roots and a river has its source.' Visiting the ancestral graves has long been a cherished cultural practice and a part of our 'ancestral worship' tradition, which remains a deeply ingrained custom. No matter how busy life may get, or how far one may be, on this day, the family will always return to honor their ancestors.

The grave is considered the 'home' of the departed, and it is typically tidied and beautified by the descendants to prepare for Tết. The ancestral grave offerings are an important cultural ritual, allowing descendants to 'connect' with their ancestors and invite them to 'return' and celebrate the New Year. This ritual symbolizes filial piety and the hope that the ancestors will bless their descendants with prosperity in the coming year. Therefore, no matter how busy life may be, families make time to honor their ancestors by visiting their graves before Tết. It is a significant tradition in Vietnamese culture, representing respect and reverence for those who came before us.

The Year-End Ceremony (Cúng Tất Niên) is closely associated with the Lunar New Year. In Vietnam, families prepare a meal and offer incense to invite the gods and ancestors to celebrate Tết with them on the eve of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. Tất niên is also a time for people to review all outstanding matters, particularly debts, and settle them before the 30th of Tết to avoid carrying any financial burdens into the new year. This ceremony is also a moment for family members to gather, reflect on the year's hard work, and remember their ancestors with gratitude.

The Year-End Offering is meant to welcome good fortune for the new year and bid farewell to any misfortune of the old year. It is an expression of gratitude to the gods, the spirits of the land, and the ancestors for their protection throughout the year. Families hope for continued blessings and protection in the coming year. Traditionally, the Tết feast symbolizes the farewell to the old year and marks the end of any lingering grievances or unresolved conflicts. It also involves inviting the Kitchen Gods back to the home to oversee household matters for the family. This ceremony is usually performed anytime on the 30th day of Tết, except between noon and 1 PM, and must be completed before 10 PM. On this day, families also prepare their homes and ancestral offerings, typically in the afternoon or evening of the 30th (or 29th in a shorter month), before the New Year's Eve ceremony.

The New Year's Eve marks the final night of the old year, serving as the transition between the old year and the new one. The exact moment of the transition is at midnight (0:00:00 on the 1st day of the first month of the lunar calendar), known as Giao Thừa. Also referred to as the 'Chù Tịch Night', this night holds great significance, symbolizing the end of one year and the arrival of a new one. The arrival of the New Year brings blessings of longevity to the elderly and growth to the younger generation. It is a time to drive away bad luck, evil spirits, and all negative aspects of the old year, while ushering in good fortune and success for the new one. This sacred night is marked by peace and quiet, offering a moment to leave behind worries and reflect in a tranquil, solemn atmosphere.

On New Year's Eve, every household performs a ritual. The offering ceremony takes place exactly at midnight (00:00 on the first day of the New Year). According to ancient Vietnamese tradition, the ceremony involves two altars: one for ancestral offerings inside the home, and one for the heavenly and earthly spirits in the front yard. The head of the household offers incense to bless the new year, starting outside and then bringing the incense inside to invite good fortune. This ritual involves expressing gratitude to the gods and ancestors, apologizing to parents, and seeking reconciliation and renewal, while promising a fresh start filled with positive intentions. After the ceremony, everyone celebrates the arrival of the new year and partakes in the first lucky gathering of the season.

Picking Spring Luck is a beautiful Vietnamese tradition during the Lunar New Year. It typically takes place either on New Year's Eve or the first morning of Tết to invite good fortune and prosperity into the home. The custom involves selecting a branch (often referred to as a 'lucky branch') and bringing it home as a symbol of luck. This practice is done during Tết Nguyên Đán, in the early days of the New Year. The branches are usually from trees that are always lush and vibrant, such as fig, mulberry, or banyan trees. The first new buds on these branches are seen as harbingers of good things to come. Once the branch is brought inside, it is displayed at the front of the house, in a vase, or hung in the central area, symbolizing the invitation of prosperity and the expulsion of evil spirits. Many people also visit temples and shrines during the New Year to pick a lucky branch, believing that by doing so, they receive divine blessings from the gods and the Buddha for the upcoming year.

At the moment of the New Year's transition, or early on the first day of Tết, people head to local temples or shrines to gather a small, fresh branch from resilient trees, hoping to receive wealth and good fortune for the year ahead. These branches are often displayed at the entrance, or placed in vases inside the home, as a gesture to cleanse the house of negativity and bring in positive energy. Picking Spring Luck is an important cultural practice in Vietnam, embodying the hope of ushering in good fortune and dispelling the misfortunes of the past year. It carries the meaning of 'Tống cố, nghinh tân' — bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new with open arms.

According to tradition, the first person to enter a household after the New Year's Eve celebration, offering New Year's greetings, is considered the first visitor of the year. Typically, the host will invite a specific person to be the first visitor, someone chosen based on their health, wisdom, and success to predict the family's fortune for the upcoming year. This practice, known as 'first-footing' or 'Xông đất,' has been a part of Vietnamese culture for centuries. It is believed that if a person with good luck is the first to enter the house on New Year's Day, the entire year will be filled with prosperity and success. The first visitor is seen as a representative of good fortune and peace for the household throughout the year.

Across Vietnam, the customs surrounding first visitor rituals are similar. The visitor typically brings red envelopes (lì xì) to give to children and elderly members of the household as a sign of respect and good wishes for the New Year. Afterward, the first visitor is usually greeted by the family and stays for a brief time, typically no longer than 10 minutes, before leaving. This practice embodies the hope for a year filled with good luck, harmony, and prosperity for everyone in the family. In some households, a family member with a good temperament may be chosen to leave the house before midnight on New Year's Eve, visit a temple to ask for blessings, and return home after the New Year has officially begun.

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán) is a time for family reunions, and it’s also when the tradition of exchanging New Year greetings and offering lucky money is practiced. These exchanges express respect, love, and closeness within the family, along with hopes for a year filled with happiness, prosperity, and success. The custom of giving New Year’s greetings and lucky money (lì xì) has been a part of Vietnamese culture for centuries. Every year, children and elderly relatives receive warm wishes along with red envelopes filled with money, symbolizing good luck and health for the coming year. This practice has become an important cultural tradition, adding to the festive atmosphere of Tết.

Green square sticky rice cakes, red watermelons, couplets, and red envelopes all signify the arrival of Tết. The tradition of giving lucky money is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, though its origins are unclear. It is a custom that has become a part of the New Year celebrations for families across the country. On the first morning of Tết, children and grandchildren visit their grandparents and parents to offer their best wishes for longevity and happiness. In return, the elders give them newly minted coins in red envelopes, along with blessings for health, academic success, and joy throughout the year. The amount of money inside the envelope is not as important as the gesture and the good wishes that accompany it.

Visiting temples at the start of the year is a cherished Vietnamese tradition. Many families continue the custom of visiting temples for blessings, a practice passed down through generations. For those who follow Buddhism, temple visits have become part of daily life, with each visit offering an opportunity for inner peace, reflection on the teachings of Buddhism, and guidance for a virtuous life. In the serene atmosphere of the temple, surrounded by incense smoke and vibrant lights, visitors often find solace and clarity.

For the Vietnamese, the Lunar New Year (Tết) is not only a time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new but also a moment steeped in spirituality and faith. In addition to family rites, many people make pilgrimages to temples and shrines to pray for health, fortune, and blessings for the year ahead. Following the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, throngs of people head to temples in both urban and rural areas, offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and good luck. It has become a tradition that after completing ancestral rituals, many families visit the temple to light incense for a prosperous year.

The New Year's Bamboo Pole is a longstanding traditional practice observed in many regions. It consists of a tall bamboo pole, usually 5 to 6 meters in height. At the top of the pole, various items are hung, depending on the locality. These may include gold paper, charms to ward off evil, paper images of carp (which serve as transport for the Kitchen Gods), cactus branches, rice wine gourds woven from straw, fabric flags, red cloths, or even small clay gongs. When the wind blows, the gongs clink together, creating a cheerful sound.

Folk belief holds that the items on the bamboo pole, combined with the sound of the gongs, serve as a signal to spirits that the household is protected and that they should not cause disturbance. In the evening, many homes hang lanterns on the pole to guide the ancestors back to celebrate the New Year with their descendants. During the last night of the year, firecrackers are often set off at the bamboo pole to usher in the New Year while also driving away evil spirits or misfortune. The bamboo pole is typically erected on the 23rd day of the lunar calendar, the day the Kitchen Gods ascend to the heavens. Since the gods are absent from this time until the stroke of midnight, it is believed that evil spirits may attempt to cause harm, which is why the bamboo pole is set up to protect the home. The pole is taken down by the 7th day of the New Year.

During Tết, it is common to see vendors selling folk paintings, which are highly educational and depict lively scenes of rural life, bustling classrooms with ancient scholars, and processions celebrating the return of honored ancestors. A notable example is the scene of a mouse scholar, sitting in a palanquin, with his wife by his side, holding a fan. Regardless of the style, every child receives a painting, often from the Đông Hồ tradition, which is displayed on the wall next to their bed or in their study room as a meaningful reminder and moral lesson.

Đông Hồ Folk Paintings are woodblock prints that come in a variety of colors, with each color requiring a separate carved block. This traditional Vietnamese art originated in Đông Hồ Village, located in Song Hồ Commune, Thuận Thành District, Bắc Ninh Province. In the past, these paintings were sold during the Tết holiday season, adorning homes during the celebration. However, with modern times, the ease of trade has transformed the purchasing habits of many people. Today, businesses operate year-round, and Đông Hồ paintings are widely available everywhere.

For countless generations, every Tết season has brought with it the continuation of age-old traditions. Alongside the practice of making the first brushstroke of the year, the Vietnamese also engage in the custom of seeking calligraphy and exchanging written blessings during Tết. This tradition holds great cultural significance, representing a reverence for literacy and knowledge, as well as a desire for good fortune, wealth, and health in the coming year. At Tết markets, people make it a point to visit calligraphers, requesting a couplet or even a single character. In the past, families would hang these characters in their homes to encourage children to study and grow into virtuous individuals. Popular characters requested include Tâm (Heart), Phúc (Happiness), Đức (Virtue), An (Peace), and Lộc (Prosperity).

Starting from the second day of Tết, people of all ages—young and old—begin seeking calligraphy. In recent years, the practice has gained popularity among the youth, creating a fresh cultural trend. The intricately written characters, often described as “dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing,” add an artistic layer to the custom. Besides the wish for good fortune, people also take joy in admiring the skillful handwriting of the calligraphers. As the saying goes, “The brush reflects the character,” and those chosen to offer their calligraphy were often scholars, esteemed teachers, or respected individuals known for their wisdom, integrity, and beautiful writing. When people seek calligraphy, they not only wish to receive blessings from the calligrapher but also hope to obtain a word that aligns with their aspirations for the year.

Tết Markets are unlike regular markets throughout the year. They are always busier, livelier, and full of festive energy. People go to Tết markets not just to shop, but also to socialize and soak in the excited atmosphere that comes with the arrival of the holiday. Shopping for the three days of Tết is not just about having food; it’s a tradition that adds to the festive spirit.

The Tết Market is typically set up in spacious areas, sometimes in the same locations where regular markets are held. However, during the Tết season, almost everything on display is related to the holiday. The festive atmosphere is deeply felt as shoppers carry heavy baskets filled with goods.

Simply put, departure ritual is a tradition performed when stepping into the new year. You and your loved ones leave your home and visit any place of choice. Typically, people visit their grandparents or relatives on the first day of the new year. This form of departure is widely practiced. Afterward, you return home to complete the ritual.

However, this ritual should not be taken lightly. Before performing the departure ritual, it is essential to choose the right direction and time that align with your zodiac sign. This is a crucial step that can enhance the benefits of the ritual. Choosing the right direction brings success and good fortune in your career, while ensuring a safe and prosperous year ahead for your family. It also helps strengthen connections with others.

According to ancient beliefs, the Kitchen Gods consist of 'two men and one woman.' This belief is tied to the legend of the family of Thi Nhi and Trong Cao. The couple, after years of marriage without children, faced hardships. In frustration, Trong Cao became harsh, mistreated his wife, and eventually drove her away. Thi Nhi, after leaving, met Pham Lang in another land, and the two formed a bond. Trong Cao, feeling regret, set off to find his wife, but he grew poor and had to beg for food along the way. One day, he found himself at Thi Nhi's house while Pham Lang was away. Recognizing her former husband, Thi Nhi invited him in for a meal. Unfortunately, Pham Lang returned home, and Thi Nhi hid Cao under a pile of straw in the yard. That night, Pham Lang set fire to the straw to make ash for the fields, and when he unknowingly burned Cao, Thi Nhi, overcome with grief, threw herself into the fire. Pham Lang, in sorrow for his wife, jumped in after her. The Jade Emperor, moved by their devotion, granted them the status of the Kitchen Gods, responsible for overseeing household affairs. Additionally, the Earth God who governs land and property is also sent to Heaven on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.

According to folk tradition, the Kitchen Gods are celestial beings sent by the Jade Emperor to observe and report on human deeds, both good and bad. On the 23rd, the Kitchen Gods return to Heaven to report on the year’s events, bringing divine judgment and blessings. These gods determine the family's fortune and misfortune based on the way they have lived. In the hopes of receiving the Kitchen Gods' protection, people hold a grand ceremony to send them back to Heaven. The offerings to the Kitchen Gods typically include incense, flowers, fruits, betel leaves, as well as dishes like sticky rice, chicken, sausages, spring rolls, and noodle soup. A set of offerings for the Earth God and the three Kitchen Gods is also prepared. These offerings often vary in color, with items like garments and hats in gold or green, depending on the year. The offerings are burned after the ceremony, and the ashes are cast into the river, symbolizing the journey of the Kitchen Gods back to Heaven. The image of a carp also plays an important role in this tradition, symbolizing the desire for success, transformation, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The tradition of making Banh Chung during Tết has become a quintessential cultural practice for the Vietnamese people, passed down through generations. It symbolizes the richness of the rice-cultivating culture. Every year as Tết approaches, families gather to prepare Banh Chung, offering it to ancestors on the family altar. According to the legend of the 'Banh Chung, Banh Giay,' this tradition dates back to the reign of the sixth Hung King. The Vietnamese Banh Chung is unique and cannot be confused with any other type of cake from different countries. It is made with ingredients that are deeply rooted in the lives of farmers, such as glutinous rice, pork, mung beans, onions, pepper, dong leaves, bamboo strings, and sometimes the fruit of gac to add color to the filling.

The square shape of Banh Chung symbolizes the Earth, while the green dong leaves represent plants, the mung beans symbolize abundance, the pork represents animals, and the glutinous rice embodies the rice civilization of the people. For every Vietnamese, Banh Chung holds a special place in their heart. Dinh Thanh Tu, a Hanoi resident, shares, 'Every Tết, children eagerly watch the preparation and cooking of Banh Chung. It’s a time for families to reunite and enjoy warmth together. Every Vietnamese child grows up with the image of wrapping Banh Chung at Tết. This image stays with them throughout their lives, passing on the tradition to the next generation. No other nation in the world venerates a cake like we do with Banh Chung during Tết. This cake is also gifted to friends and relatives as a symbol of good fortune in the new year.'

The Lunar New Year, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most important celebration of the year, a time for all Vietnamese to reflect on the renewal of nature and the cyclical nature of life. It's a joyous occasion, marking the arrival of a new year full of hope and prosperity. During this time, families come together to honor their ancestors and express gratitude towards their parents. Tết is also a time to set aside daily worries and embrace moments of tranquility, with one of the most delightful traditions being displaying and enjoying flowers during Tết.

Peach blossoms in the North, apricot flowers in the South, and kumquat trees are commonly used as symbols of luck, happiness, and prosperity. In addition, many other flowers are now popular for decorating homes during the new year, such as orchids, lilies, chrysanthemums, and narcissus. In the past, people mainly went to the Tết markets to buy dong leaves, meat, and onions to prepare Banh Chung. The Vietnamese also have the tradition of arranging flowers and displaying the five-fruit tray during Tết. The flowers that are favored at Tết include peach blossoms, apricots, camellias, gladiolus, and dahlias. The five-fruit tray varies by region, but all fruits carry wishes for prosperity, health, and good fortune for the year ahead.