Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the country’s main holiday and a period when families mark the transition to the lunar new year with ritual, food and time together. Visitors report extensive preparations that begin days or weeks before the holiday, and many businesses and services operate on reduced schedules while people travel home to be with relatives.
What Tet is and where it comes from
Tet is a New Year observance tied to the lunar calendar and plays a central role in Vietnamese social and spiritual life. Historically influenced by regional practices, the holiday now carries layers of local meaning: it combines rituals of ancestor veneration, seasonal renewal and family reunions.
Planning and preparation are an essential part of the observance. In the weeks leading up to Tet, households typically clean and decorate their homes, prepare special foods, and ready ancestral altars for offerings. Many Vietnamese consider these activities as a way to conclude the old year and welcome the year ahead with positive intentions.
Key traditions and highlights during Tet
Tet is not confined to a single day; it extends across several key moments. Some of the traditional markers include a kitchen-deity ceremony about a week before the new year, a household year-end gathering, the New Year’s Eve rites, and multiple days of visits after the start of the new lunar year. Visitors report that family visits and formal greetings dominate the first days after the new year begins.
One widely observed custom is the notion of the "first visitor" to a home in the new year, believed to influence the household’s fortune for the months ahead. Other common practices include buying new clothes for the first celebration days, arranging symbolic fruit and offerings on the ancestral altar, and decorating with flowering plants thought to attract good luck.
- House cleaning and home decoration in the days before Tet
- Altar offerings of fruit and ceremonial papers
- The ritual of the first visitor (xông đất) after midnight
- Multiple days of family and community visits following the new year
Food and seasonal customs associated with Tet
Food plays a major role in Tet celebrations. Certain items carry symbolic meanings and are prepared specially for the holiday. Two traditional cakes commonly associated with Tet are bánh chưng and bánh dày; these are often offered on ancestral altars and shared with family. Households also prepare boiled chicken, cured ham or sausage, a selection of candied fruits, and roasted nuts and seeds.
People tend to set out a variety of preserved and pickled items to balance fresh dishes, and children frequently receive small envelopes of lucky money during the early celebrations. Guests and relatives typically bring or exchange symbolic foods and small gifts during visits as a sign of goodwill.
- Bánh chưng and bánh dày: ceremonial rice cakes
- Boiled chicken and Vietnamese ham/sausage (giò/chả)
- Mixed seeds, roasted nuts and candied fruit
- Pickled vegetables and traditional preserves
Practical tips for traveling in Vietnam during Tet
Travelers planning a trip to Vietnam over Tet should allow extra time for booking and check schedules carefully. Transport systems see heavy demand as many residents return to hometowns; flights, trains and buses often sell out well in advance. Visitors who intend to travel by rail may find it useful to consult a guide to the Hanoi to Ha Long train to understand local rail options and how services can be affected around the holiday.
Accommodation and some services may charge higher rates or close for portions of the holiday, while popular sightseeing sites and government-run attractions frequently close for several days. Restaurants vary: some remain open but may operate with limited menus and higher prices, while many family-run eateries pause for the holiday. It helps to plan ahead, confirm reservations, and be flexible with itineraries.
- Book transport and hotels well before your travel dates.
- Expect attractions and some restaurants to be shut during the busiest Tet days.
- Carry cash as small shops and market stalls may be open when card services are unavailable.
- Review local safety advice and tips on how to avoid pickpockets when visiting crowded stations and markets.
Cultural meanings, greetings and taboos
Tet contains many customary dos and don'ts that reflect beliefs about how the new year will unfold. Many customs arise from the idea that actions and words at the start of the year help shape the months ahead, so people emphasize positive behavior, respectful language and careful conduct during the holiday.
Common verbal greetings include a variety of well-wishes for health, prosperity and success. Giving lucky money to children in red envelopes is widespread. At the same time, a number of taboos are observed: sweeping the house on the first day is usually avoided so that good fortune won't be swept away, and wearing funeral colors or discussing unlucky subjects may be discouraged.
- Typical New Year wishes focus on long life, prosperity and good health.
- Lucky-money envelopes for children (lì xì) are a common custom.
- Avoid sweeping or emptying rubbish on the first day of the new year.
- Many households refrain from harsh words or arguments during Tet.
Who Tet suits — and what to expect if you visit
Tet offers a window into Vietnamese family life and traditional culture, which suits travelers interested in festivals, food and ceremonies tied to ancestor veneration. However, visitors seeking lively urban nightlife or a full schedule of tourist services may find fewer options available during the main holiday dates. Travelers who value quieter public spaces often appreciate the calm in cities on the core Tet days when many residents return home.
If you do not have a local contact, some events will be less accessible, so guests commonly join organized events or visit towns where public celebrations are planned. Visitors report that the atmosphere can be warm and welcoming when accepted into family gatherings, but it helps to respect local customs and follow hosts' lead on etiquette.
Regional differences and quick comparison
Customs and emphasis vary by region: northern, central and southern parts of Vietnam observe Tet with shared elements but also distinct local practices, seasonal plants and preferred dishes. The table below summarizes several common contrasts reported by visitors and cultural observers.
| Region | Typical foods | Seasonal plants | Common customs |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (e.g., Hanoi) | Bánh chưng, boiled chicken, pickled vegetables | Peach blossoms | Formal altar offerings, quieter city centre on core days |
| Central (e.g., Hue) | Regional rice cakes, varied ceremonial dishes | Local flowering trees and ornamental plants | Strong local customs tied to ancestral rites |
| South (e.g., Ho Chi Minh) | Bánh tét variants, tropical fruit platters | Kumquat trees | More relaxed visitation patterns and public celebrations |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tet usually take place?
Tet follows the lunar calendar and therefore falls on different Gregorian dates each year; most often it occurs between late January and mid-February. Exact dates are set according to the lunar new year and vary annually.
Are public transport services affected by Tet?
Yes. Transport demand increases sharply before Tet as many people travel home, and services can be fully booked. Trains and buses often operate to capacity in the run-up to the holiday, and some timetables change during the main Tet period.
Will tourist attractions be open during Tet?
Many government-run museums, mausoleums and similar sites close for several days around Tet. Private attractions and some restaurants may remain open but tend to have limited hours. It is advisable to check operating schedules in advance.
What should visitors avoid saying or doing during Tet?
Avoid negative remarks, arguments and actions considered unlucky—such as sweeping the house on the first day—out of respect for local beliefs. Also, be mindful of funeral-associated colors and topics, which are generally best avoided during the celebrations.
How can a visitor respectfully join Tet activities?
If invited to a private celebration, follow your host’s lead, accept small gifts politely, and observe rituals without interrupting. Simple greetings and a respectful attitude are usually appreciated; when unsure, ask a local contact for guidance.