Chinese New Year and the Vietnamese New Year (called Tết in Vietnam) actually have a lot in common. What we can be sure of is that Lunar New Year holidays are always about dedicating time for family, gatherings, gifts and hoping for the best for the New Year to come. No Tết celebration is complete without a mention of the Vietnamese zodiac. Like its Chinese counterpart, the Vietnamese zodiac is a 12-year cycle where each year is associated with an animal. However, Vietnam adds its own unique twist to this tradition. The Rabbit is replaced by the Cat, believed to bring a sense of calmness and prosperity. Tết is generally celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival), with the one-hour time difference between Vietnam and China resulting in the new moon occurring on different days. Rarely, the dates of Vietnamese and Chinese Lunar New Year can differ as such in 1943, when Vietnam celebrated Lunar New Year, one Vietnamese is a tonal language and can be a challenge to learn. However, during the Tet season, locals will understand you as soon as you start with a big smile and say "chúc mừng năm mới". This means Happy New Year in Vietnamese, and sounds like "chook moong nahm moi". More about Vietnamese New Year Greetings 2024, Wishes and Images >>> The Vietnamese lunar calendar follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. While similar to the Chinese Zodiac, the Vietnamese version includes the cat (instead of the rabbit) and the water buffalo (instead of the ox). Normally, the Lunar New Year festival in Asian countries (such as China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.) happens on the same date. Yet, there may be differences due to time zone offsets. For example, the Chinese Lunar New Year will be 1 hour or 1 day later than the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Along with many other Asian countries, both the Chinese and the Vietnamese recognize the Lunar calendar as part of their cultural tradition. It's a calendar that incorporates a zodiac of twelve animals in rotation. As a new lunar new year begins, the "year" of a new animal also begins. On January 29, 2025, we will start the Year of the Snake. 1. New Year's Eve dinner: During the Chinese New Year, fish is usually served for the New Year's Eve dinner, which means "abundance every year". During the Vietnamese New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán), pig heads or chickens are prepared for the New Year's Eve dinner, and there is no custom of eating fish. 2. The Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet (Tết) is one of the most important traditional holidays in Vietnamese culture. Similar to the Chinese New Year, Vietnam celebrates the new year according to the lunar calendar. In this article, we'll discuss Tet's history, traditions, methods of celebration, and cultural significance in detail. The Vietnamese New Year was first celebrated by the Chinese in Vietnam over 2000 years ago. At that time, Vietnam was part of Ancient China and so the Chinese New Year transcended generations to become the Vietnamese New Year. The Tet festival was originally a three-day celebration, but it has gradually expanded to last up to two weeks. Vietnamese New Year, known as Tết Nguyên Đán or simply Tết, has its roots in ancient Vietnamese agrarian traditions and the lunar calendar, influenced by Chinese culture. Dating back over 2,000 years, Tết originally marked the beginning of the farming cycle, celebrating the arrival of spring and paying respect to ancestors and deities. The Vietnamese New Year celebration of Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan which means “festival of the first day”, is celebrated over three days as opposed to the traditional 15 of the Chinese New San Jose knows how to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Whether you call it Tet (Vietnamese), Chinese New Year (Chinese) or Seollal (Korean), our diverse Asian communities welcome the positive blessings of the New Year with festive food, family gatherings, musical performances and of course, red envelopes! The Vietnamese people celebrate Tet with deep reverence, and the exchange of well wishes is one of the most cherished traditions. Here are some common Vietnamese New Year greetings, each reflecting the cultural significance of Vietnamese New Year wishes. Eplore 50+ ways to say “Happy New Year in Vietnamese” Wishes for Health Doing so during the new year celebration is believed to negate any good luck the new year might bring. Those 12 are now honored in the Chinese Zodiac. The Vietnamese Zodiac is slightly Bánh Tổ (Nian Gao/Chinese New Year Sweet Rice Cake) Nian Gao (年糕) is the traditional New Year sweet rice cake of Chinese people, made from sticky rice flour, ginger, and brown sugar. In Vietnam, it’s known as Bánh Tổ (Ancestor Cake). Bánh Tổ is quite popular among Vietnamese Chinese in the South. Surprisingly, it’s also a Tet Vietnamese people decorate their homes with flowers for New Year. 10. Vietnamese Lunar New Year Is Celebrated for Three Days. Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is officially celebrated for three days, but its influence extends far beyond this period. The first day of Tet is the most important, dedicated to welcoming the ancestors and spending Chinese and Vietnamese people will have dinner together on New Year's Eve. This is one of the most important meals of the year. Koreans will visit family and graves before and after Tet. The second similarity is the tradition of giving lucky money - celebrating the new year. Discover the traditions and unique experiences of Lunar New Year in Vietnam with this comprehensive guide. Explore Tet preparations, cultural customs, and the differences between celebrations in the North and South. Get practical travel tips for visiting Vietnam during this festive season and immerse yourself in the country's most significant festival. Perfect for those planning a culturally Lunar New Year or Tết Nguyên Đán, is Vietnam’s most significant celebration. Across Vietnam, during this time families reunite and honour their ancestors, while praying for luck, prosperity and health in the new year. The public holiday may only run for one week, but in reality, Tết celebrations last much longer.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |