When is Tet in Vietnam 2024

Question

Tet is the biggest and most important in Vietnam. Could you please tell me something about the Tet holiday, and when is Tet in Vietnam 2024 ?

Answer 1

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet was recently celebrated on Saturday, February 10, 2024. According to the Vietnamese lunar calendar, this is a joyful time that marks the arrival of spring and the new year.

Tet, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most important and celebrated holiday in Vietnam, marking the arrival of spring and the Lunar New Year. It usually falls in late January or early February, based on the lunar calendar. Tet is a time of renewal, family reunions, and community. It is deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural and religious beliefs, primarily influenced by Buddhist and Confucian traditions.

During Tet, Vietnamese people engage in various customs and rituals. These include cleaning and decorating their homes, cooking special festive foods like Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cake) and Bánh Dầy (round sticky rice cake), and displaying kumquat trees, peach blossoms, or apricot blossoms. These decorations symbolize prosperity, health, and the blossoming of new opportunities.

One of the most significant aspects of Tet is ancestor worship. Families pay respects to their ancestors, offering food and incense at altars. This practice reflects the Vietnamese belief in the continuity between the living and the spiritual world, emphasizing filial piety and family bonds.

Tet is also a time for forgiveness and new beginnings. Debts are often settled, and people forgive past grievances, hoping for a fresh start in the new year. Children receive red envelopes (lì xì) containing money, symbolizing luck and good fortune.

Additionally, Tet brings vibrant public celebrations, including dragon dances, fireworks, and various traditional games and performances. Despite modern influences and changes, Tet remains a quintessential part of Vietnamese identity, a testament to the nation's rich cultural heritage and community spirit.