{"id":9952,"date":"2026-08-24T08:05:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T06:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onemoredestination.com\/tet-or-vietnamese-new-year\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T08:56:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T06:56:34","slug":"tet-or-vietnamese-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onemoredestination.com\/en\/tet-or-vietnamese-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"T\u1ebft: A Guide to the Vietnamese New Year, Its Dates, and Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n, known simply as T\u1ebft<\/strong>, is the most important celebration on the Vietnamese calendar. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and, for several days, transforms daily life across the country: families gather, ancestors are honored, homes are prepared to welcome a new cycle, and cities take on a completely different rhythm.<\/p>\n

For anyone traveling in Vietnam, learning about T\u1ebft helps you understand many customs that might otherwise seem surprising<\/strong> and, at the same time, plan your travels more effectively. In 2026, the Vietnamese New Year was celebrated on February 17, marking the Year of the Horse in the Vietnamese zodiac.<\/p>\n

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What is T\u1ebft and why is it so important in Vietnam<\/h2>\n

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\nT\u1ebft marks the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar calendar<\/strong> and usually falls between late January and mid-February. Its significance goes far beyond that of New Year\u2019s Eve: it is a time of renewal, family reunions, remembering ancestors, and expressing good wishes for the months ahead.<\/p>\n

It is often compared to the Chinese New Year because both celebrations usually fall around the same time on the calendar and share certain cultural elements. However, T\u1ebft has its own traditions, foods, symbols, and ways of celebrating that are unique to Vietnam<\/strong>. There are even differences in the zodiac: for example, the Vietnamese cycle includes the cat, whereas other Asian traditions use the rabbit.<\/p>\n

The celebration is also not limited to the first day of the year. The festive atmosphere of T\u1ebft begins to take hold several weeks in advance<\/strong>, especially in markets, stores, and homes, and continues in the days that follow with family visits, ceremonies, and festive activities.<\/p>\n

Vietnamese New Year Dates<\/h3>\n

Since it is based on the traditional calendar, the date of T\u1ebft changes every year<\/strong>. Here are some upcoming dates and the corresponding animal in the Vietnamese zodiac cycle:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/th>\nDate of T\u1ebft<\/th>\nAnimal<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2026<\/td>\nFebruary 17<\/td>\nNg\u1ecd (Horse)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2027<\/td>\nFebruary 6<\/td>\nM\u00f9i (Goat)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2028<\/td>\nJanuary 26<\/td>\nTh\u00e2n (Monkey)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2029<\/td>\nFebruary 13<\/td>\nD\u1eadu (Rooster)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2030<\/td>\nFebruary 2<\/td>\nTu\u1ea5t (Dog)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2031<\/td>\nJanuary 23<\/td>\nH\u1ee3i (Pig)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

These dates are particularly important when planning a trip because the days leading up to and following T\u1ebft see a large number of domestic travelers<\/strong>. Millions of people return to their hometowns to reunite with their families, which means the country\u2019s normal routine is temporarily disrupted.<\/p>\n

How Vietnam Prepares for the Arrival of T\u1ebft<\/h2>\n

The weeks leading up to the holiday are an essential part of the celebration. This period is commonly known as T\u1ea5t Ni\u00ean, the time of preparation before the end of the year<\/strong>. Families and businesses clean and decorate their spaces, buy food, gifts, and clothing, and the markets take on a particularly lively atmosphere.<\/p>\n

House cleaning has a meaning that goes beyond the practical. It symbolizes leaving behind what belongs to the previous year<\/strong> in order to start the new cycle with a tidy and prepared home. It\u2019s also common to fix minor damages, arrange flowers, and update some decorative elements.<\/p>\n

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Markets, Flowers, and Last-Minute Shopping<\/h3>\n

In the days leading up to the New Year, the markets are filled with flowers, ornamental trees, food, and decorative items<\/strong>. It\u2019s one of the most interesting times to stroll through a Vietnamese city because it offers a glimpse into family preparations and the importance that symbols of prosperity hold during this time of year.<\/p>\n

Activity at train stations, on highways, and at airports also increases significantly. Returning to one’s family home is a central part of T\u1ebft<\/strong>, so many people travel long distances before the celebrations officially begin.<\/p>\n

Preparing Traditional Meals<\/h3>\n

Cooking plays a prominent role in the preparations. One of the most recognizable dishes is b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng, a glutinous rice cake traditionally wrapped in leaves<\/strong>, which is particularly associated with the northern part of the country. Preparing it can take several hours of cooking and is an activity shared by various family members.<\/p>\n

In other regions, different recipes and variations appear, including b\u00e1nh t\u00e9t, as well as meats, pickles, glutinous rice, and sweets. It is also customary to offer candied fruits and small snacks to those who visit the home<\/strong> during the holidays.<\/p>\n

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How the Vietnamese New Year Is Celebrated<\/h2>\n

New Year\u2019s Eve, known as Giao Th\u1eeba, marks the transition from the old year to the new<\/strong>. It is a time for gatherings, offerings, and celebrations that may include performances and fireworks in certain cities. Then comes the first day of T\u1ebft, set aside especially for the immediate family.<\/p>\n

During those first few days, family ties and respect for elders take center stage in the celebration<\/strong>. People exchange good wishes, visit homes and temples, and perform symbolic gestures intended to start the year with harmony and good fortune.<\/p>\n

Ancestor Worship and Family Gatherings<\/h3>\n

In many Vietnamese homes, there is a family altar dedicated to ancestors. During T\u1ebft, remembering past generations is part of the family celebrations<\/strong>, with offerings that may include food, fruit, flowers, or incense.<\/p>\n

This connection to one’s ancestors helps explain why T\u1ebft has such a family-oriented atmosphere. Many people return to their hometowns and set aside these days to spend time with their parents, grandparents, and other relatives<\/strong>, even when they live hundreds of kilometers away during the rest of the year.<\/p>\n

L\u00ec x\u00ec: the red envelopes with lucky money<\/h3>\n

One of the most recognizable images of Tet is the red envelope. These are filled with lucky money, commonly known as l\u00ec x\u00ec<\/strong> , along with good wishes for the new year. Children are the usual recipients, although the tradition can also extend to other family members.<\/p>\n

More than the amount given, what matters is the wish for prosperity and good fortune<\/strong>. That is why this gesture is part of a celebration in which the words, colors, and actions of the first few days hold strong symbolic meaning.<\/p>\n

X\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea5t: The Importance of the First Visit of the Year<\/h3>\n

A particularly interesting tradition is x\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea5t or x\u00f4ng nh\u00e0, which involves the first person to enter a home<\/strong> during the New Year. According to traditional belief, that first visit can symbolically influence the family\u2019s fortune in the months to come.<\/p>\n

For this reason, some families choose in advance a person they consider suitable to make that first visit. For a traveler, this explains why it is not advisable to show up at a home uninvited<\/strong> during the first hours or days of T\u1ebft.<\/p>\n

Superstitions and Customs During T\u1ebft<\/h2>\n

The start of the year is surrounded by numerous beliefs about luck. The general idea is that avoid actions symbolically associated with loss, conflict, or misfortune<\/strong> and, instead, foster a positive atmosphere at home and in personal relationships.<\/p>\n

Specific customs may vary from family to family and region to region, so they should not be viewed as rules that all Vietnamese people follow in exactly the same way. Even so, being familiar with them helps you behave with greater sensitivity<\/strong> when celebrating with local people.<\/p>\n