Tết

What it is

Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán, is the primary celebration in Vietnamese culture. It marks the arrival of spring according to the lunisolar calendar, typically falling between late January and February. The term translates to the feast of the first day. While Tết Trung Thu is the second-most important festival, Tết stands as the central event for the Vietnamese people and their global diaspora. It serves as a time to reset social bonds, honor ancestors, and welcome fortune into the home for the year ahead.

Where it comes from

Scholars debate whether Tết originated from Chinese influence or indigenous Vietnamese practices. Some historical materials suggest it dates back to the Hùng kings, over a thousand years before Chinese domination. Other researchers point to the Han Dynasty conquest in 111 BC as the period when the holiday was introduced. Despite these origins, Vietnam developed distinct traditions, such as specific zodiac animals and culinary customs, that separate it from other East Asian lunar celebrations.

How it is done

Preparations begin two weeks before the new year with house cleaning and grave tending. On New Year's Eve, families gather for rituals and fireworks to ward off evil spirits. The first day is reserved for immediate family, where children receive red envelopes. Visitors are carefully selected to ensure good luck, as the first guest determines the household's fortune. Conflict is avoided, and debts are settled beforehand to start the year with harmony.

Tools and materials

Families display yellow ochna blossoms in the south and peach blossoms in the north. A bamboo pole called cây nêu is erected to protect the home. Traditional foods include bánh chưng (sticky rice cakes) and canh khổ qua. Red envelopes contain lucky money given to children. Decorations often feature kumquat trees symbolizing fertility and various flowers representing longevity.

What it is for

The festival aims to bring luck, prosperity, and harmony to the household. It is believed that actions on the first day influence the entire year. Families seek to cleanse the past year's troubles and commune with ancestors through veneration. The exchange of greetings and gifts reinforces social ties and ensures a happy, successful year for all members.

Who does it

Tết is primarily a household affair, celebrated by families across Vietnam and abroad. Elders play a key role in giving blessings and money to younger generations. Teachers are honored on the third day, reflecting the cultural value placed on education. Local Buddhist temples see increased visits for donations and fortune-telling during this period.

Peoples and places

The tradition is central to Vietnamese identity, observed by communities in Vietnam, China, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Cambodia. While sharing roots with Chinese New Year, Tết has unique regional variations within Vietnam. Northern and Southern practices differ in floral choices and specific terminology for receiving guests, yet the core values of family and respect remain consistent.

What people believe

Vietnamese cosmology views Tết as a critical juncture in the agricultural and spiritual cycle. The kitchen gods report to the Jade Emperor, influencing the family's fate. Ancestors are believed to return to share meals with the living. The concept of xông đất highlights the belief that external influences can directly impact internal household fortune, requiring careful management of visitors and behavior.

When it is done

Tết occurs on the first day of the first lunar month, usually between late January and mid-February. The celebration spans three days: the eve, the first day for family, and subsequent days for friends and teachers. Schools close for a week, allowing full participation in the festivities. The timing aligns with the spring equinox, marking the beginning of the farming cycle.

Questions people ask about Tết

Good reading and sources

• Tết on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data