Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết): Traditions, Culture, and Useful Expressions

What is Tết in Vietnam?

Vietnamese Lunar New Year, called Tết, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar.

For Vietnamese people, Tết is not just a celebration — it is a time for family reunion, new beginnings, and happiness. Many people return to their hometown to celebrate with their families. The atmosphere is exciting, busy, and full of joy.

Why is Tết so important?

Tết is deeply connected to Vietnamese culture and traditions. During this time:

• Families đoàn tụ (reunite): Everyone tries to come home, no matter how far away they are.
• Visiting relatives and friends: A way to strengthen bonds for the new year.
• Chúc Tết: Everyone gives New Year wishes to each other.
• Lì xì: Children receive lucky money in red envelopes.

It is a time to leave the past behind and welcome a better year with a fresh start.

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How do Vietnamese people prepare for Tết?

Before Tết, everything becomes bận ơi là bận (so busy!). People spend weeks:

1. Cleaning and decorating their houses to sweep away bad luck.
2. Shopping for new clothes, flowers, and gifts.
3. Cooking traditional dishes that are only eaten during this season.

Markets are full of people and goods — nhiều ơi là nhiều (so many things!).

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Traditional Food and Decorations

During Tết, your eyes and stomach will be treated to:

• 🌸 Hoa đào (peach blossom) – popular in the North.
• 🌼 Hoa mai (apricot blossom) – popular in the South.
• 🍊 Cây quất (kumquat tree) – representing fertility and luck.

Traditional food includes:

• Bánh chưng / Bánh tét: Square or cylindrical sticky rice cakes filled with green beans and pork.
• Mâm ngũ quả: A five-fruit tray displayed on the altar to pray for prosperity.

Special Traditions: Xông nhà and Lucky Money

One unique tradition is Xông nhà — the first person who enters a house in the new year. People believe this person’s energy and zodiac sign will determine the family’s luck for the whole year.

Another favorite tradition is: 👉 Lì xì (Lucky money) Adults give red envelopes with money to children and elders as a wish for health, luck, and success.

Learn Vietnamese through Tết expressions

Vietnamese people love using emotional structures to emphasize feelings. A very common one is:

Adjective + “ơi là” + Adjective (Meaning: Very, very…)

• Tết sắp đến, bận ơi là bận! (Tết is coming, so busy!)
• Chợ Tết, hàng hóa nhiều ơi là nhiều! (The market has so many things!)
• Năm ngoái ăn Tết, vui ơi là vui! (Last year’s Tết was so much fun!)

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Useful Vietnamese phrases for Tết

• Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year!)
• An khang thịnh vượng! (Wish you security and prosperity!)
• Sống lâu trăm tuổi! (Wish you a long life – used for elders.)
• Vui ơi là vui! (So happy!)

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