Vietnam new year: Special notes for tourists when coming to Vietnam on Tet holiday

Introducing Vietnam new year

Vietnam new year of Vietnamese people, also known as Lunar New Year or Tet, is the most important and traditional time of the year for Vietnamese people. This is the time when Vietnamese people focus on family, enjoy moments of reunion, and participate in traditional activities.

Vietnam new year (Tet) has an extremely profound humanistic meaning, expressing the longevity of life and people's desire for harmony between Heaven - Earth - Humanity. Lunar New Year is the expression of the relationship between humans and nature in the spirit of agricultural culture; with clans and villages in ethnic community; with sacred and noble beliefs in spiritual life...

The original meaning of the word "Tet" is "period". The two words "Nguyen Dan" have Chinese roots; “Nguyen” means the beginning or beginning and “Dan” means early morning. Therefore, the correct phonetic reading must be "Lunar New Year" (Lunar New Year is called the Spring Festival, New Year or New Year by the Chinese people today).

Because the calculation of the Vietnamese lunar calendar is different from that of China, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year does not completely coincide with the Vietnam new year (Tet) of the Chinese and other countries influenced by Chinese culture.

Origin of Tet

The origin of Vietnam New Year (Tet) is still being debated, but most information believes that this day originated from China and was introduced to Vietnam during 1000 years of Northern domination. But according to the legend "Banh Chung Banh Day", Vietnamese people have been celebrating Tet since before the reign of King Hung, meaning before 1000 years of Northern domination.

It can be seen that Vietnam new year (Tet) has existed in Vietnam for a long time. Confucius wrote in the Book of Rites: "I don't know what Tet is, I heard that it is the name of a big festival of the Man people, they dance like crazy, drink and have fun on those days. Book Giao Chi Chi also wrote: "Giao District people often gather in each guild to dance, sing, eat, drink and have fun for many days to celebrate a new planting season, not only farmers but all people. The houses of Quan Lang and Lord Dong also participate in this festival." So it can be said that Lunar New Year originated from Vietnam.

Vietnam new year (Tet) of the two countries Vietnam and China has mutual influence, but still has its own characteristics of the two countries.

Time takes place

Vietnam new year (Tet) is the beginning of a year, a month, a season, a new agricultural production cycle. Tet is also the biggest and most important festival of the year for Vietnamese people and everyone gives the best things for Tet.

Because the calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the Lunar New Year is later than the New Year. Due to the rule of 3 leap years per month of the lunar calendar, the first day of the Lunar New Year is never before January 21 of the solar calendar and after February 19 of the solar calendar, but usually falls around the end of January to mid-February. Calendar. The entire annual Lunar New Year usually lasts about 7 to 8 days at the end of the old year and the first 7 days of the new year (December 23 to January 7).

Meaning of Vietnam new year (Tet)

Because it is the beginning of a new planting period, a new month, a new season, a new year, Vietnam new year (Tet) has great significance in the lives of Vietnamese people.

For every Vietnamese person, Vietnam new year (Tet) is an opportunity to gather and reunite with family. Children and grandchildren work far away, no matter how busy they are, they still try to come home to celebrate Tet with their families. Everyone tries to complete their work and settle all debts before Vietnam new year (Tet), so that they can welcome a peaceful and happy new year.

Notes for tourists when coming to Vietnam during Tet

Book and schedule in advance

During Vietnam new year (Tet), although at the present time, services are also provided during Tet days. However, there is no certainty that the services you are interested in will be provided. So to be sure, when tourism demand increases and many services may be limited or sold out. Book and schedule in advance to ensure you have accommodations, airfare, and travel activities you want to participate in.

Learn about Vietnamese New Year (Tet) traditions

Vietnam new year (Tet) is an important holiday for Vietnamese people, so learning about the traditions and customs of Vietnam new year (Tet) will help you better understand local culture and respect rituals. . You can participate in traditional activities of Vietnamese people visiting pagodas, attending annual festivals and enjoying traditional dishes. This is the time when Tet flower markets are widely displayed for people to shop and take photos.

Pay attention to the activity schedule

During Vietnam new year (Tet), many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions will be closed or have limited operations. Check the operating schedules of the places you want to visit and plan accordingly so you don't get affected by limited working hours.

Communication and respect

During Vietnam new year (Tet), Vietnamese people often have a friendly attitude and welcome tourists. Remember to be polite, respect local culture, and communicate gently. If you are invited into someone's house after New Year's Eve, bring a small gift as a gift if you are younger than the inviter or a red envelope containing money if you are older than them. It doesn't matter whether the amount of money in lucky money is large or small, but it represents luck and sharing. However, you also need to remember a few notes if you don't want people to feel uncomfortable.

• The first thing is to be warm and friendly and learn a few simple Vietnamese greetings, or you can just say "happy new year". Vietnamese people have a tradition of congratulating each other on this occasion to wish for a lucky new year.

• Next, don't ask for fire or water: If you have a habit of smoking or need to do something with fire. Do not ask for it with Vietnamese people during this time, because fire represents luck. If you ask for it, it means that you are asking for other people's luck, which will make them unhappy. The same goes for water, water represents an abundant source of life, so don't ask for water from others but be fully prepared for yourself.

• If you want to experience Vietnam new year (Tet) like a Vietnamese person, go buy some salt. On the 1st or 2nd days of Tet. There will be a lot of people selling salt in a small package, you can use it to throw around the area where you live as a way to chase away bad luck.

• Limit breakage: Of course, no one likes things to break. However, Vietnamese people during this time are more likely to abstain from breaking up than ever before. This is a play on words, broken although it refers to objects. However, in Vietnamese, "broken" also means a rift between relationships, so wherever you go, be careful to avoid unfortunate things from happening.

In addition to the above, there are still many other notes that you need to remember when arriving in Vietnam on Vietnam New Year (Tet).

Enjoy Vietnamese New Year (Tet) cuisine

Vietnam new year (Tet) is a time when Vietnamese people make a lot of traditional dishes. Try special dishes like banh chung, banh tet, fried spring rolls and some traditional sweets like jam, coconut candy and banh chung and banh day. Learning about typical dishes and enjoying Tet cuisine will be a wonderful experience for you.

Weather and clothing

During Vietnam new year (Tet), the weather in Vietnam is often quite cold, especially in the North. Prepare appropriate clothing such as warm clothes, jackets and closed shoes to ensure you can move freely in this spring weather.

Vietnamese people also love the color red during holidays. So if possible, dress yourself in red outfits. They will help you win more sympathy from the local people.

Conclude

Above are the notes that VietNam Local Guide gives you about the things that tourists need to keep in mind when arriving in Vietnam on Vietnam New Year (Tet).

Vietnam new year (Tet) is a special time and rich in culture and tradition. By taking note of the above and respecting local culture, you will experience a memorable Tet atmosphere in this beautiful country.