Tết

Vietnamese culture · lunar calendar · spring celebration

Vietnam's biggest holiday. Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. Families come together, clean their homes, and celebrate the start of a new year with joy and hope.

Based on lunar calendar. Tết is celebrated on the first day of the first month according to the Vietnamese lunisolar calendar, which is different from the regular calendar most people use. This means it falls on different dates each year, usually sometime between late January and February 20.

Spring's special moment. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring, a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. People decorate with flowers, especially peach blossoms and kumquat trees, to welcome the season and bring good luck for the year ahead.

Gifts and red envelopes. During Tết, elders give children red envelopes filled with money as gifts to bring good fortune. These colorful envelopes, called 'lì xì,' are a beloved tradition that makes the holiday feel extra special.

Family time and feasts. Tết is a time when families reunite, even traveling long distances to be together. They prepare special foods, visit temples, and enjoy multi-day celebrations filled with games, music, and traditions passed down through generations.