Vietnam Customs

6 Comments

• Johnathan Powell

  on Oct 10, 2018
  at 8:22 am

  Vietnam has such a wonderful Tet holiday. See you one day. Love from England!
• Harry

  on Nov 12, 2018
  at 4:32 am

  To Vietnamese people, Lunar New Year or Tet holiday is the most important festival around the year. The festival often takes place from late January to early February depending on the cycle of the Lunar Calendar. The three days of January of Lunar Calendar are the most significant days but people in Vietnam often spend nearly half of a month to celebrate the festival.

  Traditionally, the purpose of Tet holiday is that Vietnamese people would like to thank Gods for bringing the Spring with full of blossoming flowers and trees and say goodbye to the cold winter. Tet holiday is a spiritual opportunity for living people to invite deceased ancestors to join family gatherings. This is also an occasion for members in the family to reunite after a long year working far from home. Whatever they do and wherever people are, they quickly find ways to return their hometowns and meet their loved ones.

  Before Tet holiday, people clean their houses and decorate them beautifully with kumquat tree, peach blossoms or apricot blossoms. The streets are also festooned with lightening lanterns and red banner “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” or “Happy New Year”. They try to clean and dush-wash everything because the cleaning is believed to erase and sweep away all the dust and bad things that accumulate in the old year. Additionally, everyone has their hair cut, buy new clothes and bring gifts to their relatives, friends and supervisors. They spend lots of money to buy all the best things to ensure that they will have a prosperous year. Another viral thing is that all the debts should be paid off or else they will bring bad lucks to the whole new year.

  Tat Nien – or the meal in New Year’s Eve is the meal to finish the entire year. There are lots of well-prepared dishes and everyone happily enjoys the meal while talking about good memories and nice things. They have many traditional foods such as Chung Cake (Sticky rice cake), Day cake, pickled onion, pork, beef, sweets, dried fruits, and seeds. After that, people may go out to watch fireworks displayed at the public area or simply stay at home and watch Tao Quan (a very famous TV show in Vietnam that is only broadcasted at the 30th of Lunar December).

  On the New Year’s Day, the first guest coming to the house plays an important role because they are believed to hold in their hand all the lucks of the family. Then people visit their grandparents and relatives. The second day is for friends and colleagues and the third day is especially for teachers. In those days, children are given lucky money inside the red envelopes as the red and lucky money are considered good things and may keep children away from the evils. People also go to the pagodas and pray so that they could have a year of prosperity, happiness, and health.

  Tet holiday nowadays is still being well preserved. This holiday is not only for relaxation and family gatherings but also a chance for Vietnamese people developing their cultural and national identity.
• Santiago

  on Dec 10, 2018
  at 4:37 am

  Hi there,

  I consider going to Hanoi in early February and I just read that Tet holiday 2019 falls on February 5. Does the holiday affect tours, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc? Would it be advisable to get to Vietnam before or after Tet holiday?

  Thanks.
• Harry

  on Dec 12, 2018
  at 4:38 am

  Hi Santiago

  It is true to say that travel during the actual days of Tet holiday is quite difficult. The accommodation might be plentiful and some restaurants will be closed according to the holiday break. However, I think you should come here in Tet holiday to really appreciate the excitement amongst the locals and the unique atmosphere in Vietnam. I’m sure that you don’t want to miss it, just remember to book your tour or accommodation as soon as possible to ensure your stay.

  BR,
• Nilmar

  on Dec 12, 2018
  at 4:39 am

  Hi,

  I’m going to Vietnam in late January for about 2 weeks. How many days are in Tet ? I really want to enjoy Tet holiday atmosphere once in my Vietnam vacation.

  Many thanks,
• Harry

  on Dec 12, 2018
  at 4:40 am

  Hi Nilmar,

  Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) is considered as the biggest and longest holiday in Vietnam, which may last up to seven to ten days. Vietnamese New Year in 2019 will last from 4 February ( New Year’s Eve) to 10 February. Hope you will have a great time in Vietnam and enjoy the Tet atmosphere to the most.

  Regards,