Tet: What to Know Before Vietnam's Lunar New Year

What Is Tet?

"Tet" is shorthand for "Tet Nguyen Dan"—Vietnam's Lunar New Year, arriving in late January or late February by the Gregorian calendar. It marks the first day of the first lunar month and the arrival of spring.

The word "Tet" simply means "festival," but in Vietnamese usage it refers almost exclusively to the Lunar New Year celebration. Among Vietnamese families at home and abroad, it ranks as the single most important celebration of the year. The Mid-Autumn Festival ("Tet Trung Thu") comes second.

Tet lasts from the first to at least the third day of the lunar new year. During this window, the country largely shuts down—shops close, buses fill with travelers heading home, restaurants and attractions operate on reduced schedules or close entirely. If you're in Vietnam during Tet, expect it to feel quieter than usual, especially in cities.

When Is Tet Celebrated?

Vietnam follows a lunisolar calendar (accounting for both the sun's and moon's orbits). Tet typically falls on the same date as Chinese Lunar New Year, though a one-hour time difference between Vietnam and China can occasionally shift the date by a day. In rare cases—like 1985—Vietnam's Tet arrived a month earlier than China's.

In the Gregorian calendar, Tet can fall anywhere from late January through late February, depending on the year. Check the lunar calendar before booking travel.

Image by vi:Thành viên:Casablanca1911 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

The Historical Roots

Tet's origins are tied to Vietnam's long history. China ruled Vietnam for over 1,000 years (111 BC to the 10th century), profoundly shaping Vietnamese culture, language, and practices. The lunar calendar and the tradition of giving lucky money in red envelopes trace back to this influence.

However, Vietnam developed its own distinct Tet customs over time. The Vietnamese zodiac includes the Buffalo, Cat, and Goat, unlike the Chinese zodiac's Ox, Rabbit, and Sheep. Traditional Tet dishes like "banh chung" (square sticky-rice cake) and "banh tet" (cylindrical version) are uniquely Vietnamese.

Scholars have debated Tet's exact origins for generations. While most point to the Chinese colonial period, some Vietnamese historical sources suggest an earlier, independent origin. Researcher Toan Anh described Tet Nguyen Dan as the first festival of the year, beginning at midnight with the Tru tich ceremony. Historian Tran Van Giap traced Tet Nguyen Dan back to the first century AD, when northern Vietnam was under Han Chinese administration. The legend of Lang Lieu and "banh chung" implies Tet existed over 1,000 years before formal Chinese rule, though substantial archaeological evidence remains elusive.

How Tet Is Celebrated: Key Customs

First Footing (Xong Nha / Xong Dat)

The first visitor to a family's home on New Year's Day is believed to determine the household's fortune for the entire year. Families carefully choose their first guest—someone with good luck or a compatible zodiac sign. This custom, called "xong nha" ("house entering") or "xong dat" ("ground stepping"), is taken very seriously. Uninvited guests do not drop by on this day.

Red Envelopes and New Clothes

Elders give children red envelopes containing money—called "mung tuoi" in the north and "li xi" in the south. Children wear new clothes (often red, for good luck) and offer traditional Tet greetings to elders before receiving the envelopes. Wearing red is widespread during the holiday, as it symbolizes good fortune.

Ancestral Worship

From the 23rd day of the final lunar month through New Year's Eve, families visit ancestral graves, clean and tend them, and leave offerings at family altars. This is a central part of Tet—honoring the dead and strengthening family bonds across generations.

Traditional Tet Foods

Every Vietnamese family prepares special dishes, including "banh chung," "banh tet," "banh day" (sticky-rice cake), "canh kho qua" (bitter melon soup), "thit kho hot vit" (braised pork with quail eggs), dried young bamboo soup ("canh mang"), "gio" (savory roll), and "xoi" (sticky rice). These dishes carry symbolic meaning tied to the new year and family continuity.

House Cleaning

Before Tet arrives, families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. Markets bustle with shoppers buying new clothes, decorations, and ingredients in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

Visiting and Gatherings

Tet is a time for reunions. People return to their hometowns to be with family. After the first day (reserved for the immediate household), people visit relatives, friends, and neighbors, exchanging New Year's greetings and strengthening social ties.

Image by Titti Nguyen via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Tet's Three Phases

The celebration unfolds in three stages:

1. Tat Nien (before the year ends): preparation period, roughly the two weeks before Tet
2. Giao Thua (New Year's Eve): the eve itself, a crucial transitional moment
3. Nam Moi (the New Year): the first three days and beyond, marked by celebration and family time

Traveling During Tet: What to Expect

If you're in Vietnam during Tet, prepare for crowds on transport, reduced business hours, and a different rhythm. Many restaurants, shops, and smaller attractions close for 3–7 days. Buses and flights book months in advance. Hotels in tourist areas may stay open but at higher prices.

If possible, avoid traveling during the peak Tet week itself. Instead, visit just before (late December–early January) or after (late February onward) to experience Vietnam without the holiday gridlock. If you do stay through Tet, embrace the quieter atmosphere, accept limited services, and consider visiting temples and pagodas, which remain active and offer a glimpse into the spiritual side of the celebration.