$9.99 7 Used from $5.00 6 New from $9.99 The most important holiday in Vietnam is celebrated with many unique traditions. This colorful children's picture book describes Tet, the Lunar New Year. Publisher's note: If you are not satisfied with this book in any way, you could return this book or exchange for a replacement copy. HOUSTON, Texas -- Feb. 1 kicks off the Year of the Tiger for approximately 1.5 billion people, who are celebrating Lunar New Year across the world. RELATED: Lunar New Year 2022: What to know about Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan, is the Vietnamese New Year celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Vietnamese calendar, which usually falls in January or February, and this year, it takes place on January 22. Tet is the most important festival for the Vietnamese people. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China. It is also a major event in some other East Asian countries (Lunar New Year is known as Seollal in South Korea, Tet in Vietnam, and Tsagaan Sar in Mongolian). Over 1.5 billion people will celebrate. Lunar New Year becomes a social media celebration Feb, 12-19, Spending time with family is a major part of the Lunar New Year celebration. "Now, I love sharing about it to everyone and anyone. Someday, I hope I can experience a true Tết celebration in Vietnam. Honestly, the holiday just makes me so excited. There's a saying in my . History & CultureExplainerObserved by billions of people, the festival also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is marked by themes of reunion and around the world, it usually prompts the planet’s largest annual migration of people. And though it is known to some in the West as Chinese New Year, it isn’t just celebrated in China. Lunar New Year falls this year on Sunday, January 22, 2023, kicking off the Year of the Rabbit. It is traditionally a time for family reunions, plenty of food, and some very loud is the Lunar New Year?Modern China actually uses a Gregorian calendar like most of the rest of the world. Its holidays, however, are governed by its traditional lunisolar calendar, which may have been in use from as early as the 21st century When the newly founded Republic of China officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1912, its leaders rebranded the observation of the Lunar New Year as Spring Festival, as it is known in China today.Learn why some people celebrate Christmas in January.As its name suggests, the date of the lunar new year depends on the phase of the moon and varies from year to year. Each year in the lunar calendar is named one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, which are derived from ancient Chinese folklore. Repeating in a rotating basis, these animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and Spring Festival is celebrated in China and Hong Kong; Lunar New Year is also celebrated in South Korea, Tibet, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and places with large Chinese populations. Though the festival varies by country, it is dominated by themes of reunion and Lunar New Year is celebratedFor Chinese people, Spring Festival lasts for 40 days and has multiple sub-festivals and rituals. The New Year itself is a seven-day-long state holiday, and on the eve of the new year, Chinese families traditionally celebrate with a massive reunion dinner. Considered the year’s most important meal, it is traditionally held in the house of the most senior family member.Learn about Lunar New Year with your kids.The holiday may be getting more modern, but millennia-old traditions are still held dear in China and other countries. In China, people customarily light firecrackers, which are thought to chase away the fearful monster Nian. However, the tradition has been on the decline in recent years due to air pollution restrictions that have hit the fireworks industry hard. The color red is used in clothing and decorations to ensure prosperity, and people exchange hongbao, red envelopes filled with lucky cash. Meanwhile in Korea, people make rice cake soup and honor their ancestors during Seollal. And during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, flowers play an important role in the New Year has even spawned its own form of travel During chunyun, or spring migration, hundreds of million people travel to their hometowns in China for family reunions and New Year’s celebrations. In past years, billions of travelers have taken to the road during the 40-day period. Known as the world’s largest human migration, chunyun regularly clogs already busy roads, trains and airports—proof of the holiday’s enduring significance for those who associate it with luck and story was originally published on January 2, 2020. It has been updated. When many Americans hear the word "Tet," they immediately recall learning about the 1968 Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. But what is Tet all about? Considered the first day of spring and most important of national holidays in Vietnam, Tet is the annual Vietnamese New Year celebration, coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrated throughout the world in January or February. Technically, "Tet" is a shortened thank goodness! form of Tết Nguyên Đán, a way to say "Lunar New Year" in Vietnamese. Although Tet can be a very exciting time to travel in Vietnam, it's also the busiest time of the year to be there. Millions of people will be moving throughout the country, returning to their home villages to share reunions with friends and family. The Tet holiday will certainly affect your experience in Vietnam. *********** Tired of reading? Listen to our below Podcast made by our BEEPODS team to learn more about the biggest and most important festival in Vietnam What is Vietnam Tet?First of all, you can check the below video about Vietnamese New Year to have the general idea of its meanings and traditions Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet is the most important and popular holidays and festivals in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar calendar, a lunisolar calendar. The name Tet Nguyen Dan is Sino-Vietnamese for Feast of the very First Morning. Tet takes place from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar around late January or early February until at least the third day. Many Vietnamese prepare for Tet by cooking special holiday foods and cleaning their house. There are a lot of customs practiced during Tet such as visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year xông nhà, ancestral worship, wishing New Year’s greetings, giving lucky money to children and elderly people and opening a shop. Tet is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tet, Vietnamese visits their relatives and temples, forgetting the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider Tet to be the first day of spring and the festival is often called Hội xuân spring festival. Like other Asian countries, Vietnamese believe that the color of red and yellow will bring good fortune, which may explain why these colors can be seen everywhere in Lunar New Year. People consider what they do on the dawn of Tet will determine their fate for the whole year, hence people always smile and behave as nice as they can in the hope for a better year. Vietnamese New Year Traditions Tet is seen as a chance for a fresh start. Debts are settled, and old grievances are forgiven. Houses are cleaned of clutter and decorated with symbolic flowers. Plants get pruned, and drawers are cleared out. All preparations are meant to set the stage for attracting as much luck and good fortune as possible in the upcoming year. Superstition permeates the air Whatever happens on the first day of the new year is thought to set the pace for the rest of the year. Sweeping and cutting including hair and fingernails are taboo during Tet as no one wants to unknowingly remove incoming good luck! Although Vietnamese New Year is observed for 15 days, Tet is typically celebrated for three days with some traditions observed for up to a week. The first day of Tet is usually spent with immediate family, the second day is for visiting friends, and the third day is dedicated to teachers and visiting temples. One of the most important traditions observed during Tet is the emphasis put on who is the first to enter a house in the new year. The first person brings the luck good or bad for the year! Special people who are considered successful dear to the family are sometimes invited and given the honor to be the first to enter. If no one is invited, the homeowner leaves and returns a few minutes after midnight just to ensure they are the first to enter the house for the new year. Because the primary aim is to attract good fortune for the new year, Tet and Chinese New Year share a lot of similar traditions. Vietnamese people usually return to their families during Tet. Some return to worship at the family altar or visit the graves of their ancestors in their homeland. Although Tet is a national holiday among all Vietnamese, each region and religion has its own customs. In general, Tet can be divided into three periods, known as Tất Niên Before New Year’s Eve, Giao Thừa New Year’s Eve, and Tân Niên the New Year, representing the preparation before Tet, the eve of Tet, and the days of and following Tet, respectively. All of these customs are to celebrate Tet in Vietnam. The general process follows the 9 steps as below all dates quoted in lunar calendar Before New Year's Eve Ông Công, Ông Táo Day Kitchen God day - December 23rd Wrapping Chung cake - December 26-28th New Year's Eve Family reunion and Tất niên - December 30th Giao thừa - New Year's Eve including praying sessions to God and Ancestors, Xông đất First visit to a family in the new year The New Year First three days of the new year visit paternal side on the first day, maternal side on the second day and teachers on the third day Visit relatives, friends and neighbours can take place from January 3rd - 5th Hóa vàng - burn the offerings near Tet's end for ancestors January 4th Reopen business usually owners pick a good date that matches their age Tết Nguyên Tiêu January 15th We will see more detail below in this article. Before the New Year’s EveThis period begins one or two weeks before the actual celebration. The general atmosphere leading up to Tet is in the bustle of shopping, decorating the home, cooking traditional Tet food and waiting for relatives to return home. People try to pay off their debts in advance so that they can be debt-free on Tet. Parents buy new clothes for their children so that the children can wear them when Tet arrives. In the days leading up to Tet, the streets and markets are full of people. As the shops will be closed during Tet, everyone is busy buying food, clothes, and decorations for their house. Vietnamese families usually have a family altar, to pay respect to their ancestors. Vietnamese families have a tray of five different fruits on their altar called “Ngũ Quả” five fruits type. During Tet the altar is thoroughly cleaned and new offerings are placed there. Traditionally, the three kitchen guardians for each house Ông Táo Kitchen God return to heaven on the 23rd day of the twelfth month by lunar calendar to give his annual report on family members to the Jade Emperor. Their departure is marked by a modest ceremony where the family offers sacrifices for them to use on their journey. In the days leading up to Tet, each family cooks special holiday foods such as bánh chưng and bánh dầy. Preparations for these foods are quite extensive. Family members often take turns to keep watch on the fire overnight, telling each other stories about Tet of past years. One of very popular traditional food in Tet is Mut candied fruits which is not served in the meals but a snack to welcome guests visiting house and always kept in beautiful boxes and placed at the table in the living room. Decorations Vietnamese families also buy home peach blossom trees, kumquat trees, and orange trees. They also buy flowers to decorate their homes such as chrysanthemums or orchids. They plant these flowers and put them into beautiful pots in front of or inside the house. At Tet every house is usually decorated by Ochna integerrima in the central and south Vietnam or peach flower in the North. In the north or central, the kumquat tree is a popular decoration for the living room during Tet. Its many fruits symbolize the fertility and fruitfulness that the family hopes for in the coming year. New Year Flowers Flowers are very important decorations for Tet. Which flowers are used depends on location in Vietnam. All over Vietnam the most popular plant we saw was the kumquat tree. Countless times we saw men carrying kumquat trees on their motorbikes. At times it looked like the tree was driving the motorbike with just arms and legs sticking out of it. In southern Vietnam we saw tons of yellow chrysanthemums. Flower markets were erected in fields, in parking lots, and along the road, all of them selling potted chrysanthemums not much smaller than Kara. You can also find the flower markets like this all over the world with Vietnamese communities, only the ones in Vietnam were just ten times bigger. Peach blossoms are also very popular. These trees are just starting to bloom and people would buy a branch to take home, their pink flowers filling the city streets. In southern Vietnam the Hoa Mai tree is very popular, having bright yellow flowers. The amount of blooms on the tree is linked to how fortunate that family will be. In the New YearThe first day of Tet is reserved for the nuclear family. Children wear their new clothes, give their elders the traditional Tet greetings before receiving the lucky money from them in exchange. The traditional greetings are “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” Happy New Year and “Cung Chúc Tân Xuân” gracious wishes of the new spring. People also wish each other prosperity and luck. Common wishes for Tết include Sống lâu trăm tuổi long life of 100 years used by children for elders. Traditionally, everyone is one year older on Tet, so children would wish their grandparents health and longevity. An khang thịnh vượng security, good health, and prosperity Vạn sự như ý may myriad things go according to your will Sức khỏe dồi dào Plenty of health Cung hỉ phát tài congratulations and be prosperous Tiền vô như nước many money flows in like water used informally Since the Vietnamese believe that the very first visitor a family receives in the year determines their fortune for the entire year, a person of good temper, morality and success will be the lucky sign for the host family and be invited first into the house. This special activity is called xông đất or xông nhà, which is one of the most important rituals during Tet. According to Vietnamese tradition, if good things come to the family on the first day of the lunar New Year, the entire following year will also be full of blessings. Sweeping during Tet is a taboo since it symbolizes sweeping the luck away. It is also a taboo for anyone who experienced a recent loss of a family member to visit anyone else during Tết. During subsequent days, people visit relatives and friends. Traditionally but not strictly, the second day of Tet is usually reserved for friends, while the third day is for teachers, who command respect in Vietnam. Local Buddhist temples are popular spots as people like to give donations and to get their fortunes told during Tet. How to Say Happy New Year in Vietnamese? Like Thai and Chinese, Vietnamese is a tonal language, making proper pronunciation a challenge for many English speakers. Regardless, locals will understand your attempts through context during Tet. You can wish people a happy new year in Vietnamese by telling them chúc mừng năm mới. Pronounced roughly as it is transliterated, the greeting sounds like "chuop moong nahm moy." New Year FoodsIn Vietnamese language, to celebrate Tết is to ăn Tết, literally meaning "eat Tết", showing the importance of food in its celebration. Some of the food is also eaten year-round, while other dishes are only eaten during Tết. Also, some of the food is vegetarian since it is believed to be good luck to eat vegetarian on Tết. Some traditional foods on Tết are Bánh chưng and bánh tét essentially tightly packed sticky rice with meat or bean fillings wrapped in dong Phrynium placentarium leaves. When these leaves are unavailable, banana leaves can be used as a substitute. One difference between them is their shape. Bánh chưng is the square-shaped one to represent the Earth, while bánh tét is cylindrical to represent the moon. Also, bánh chưng is more popular in the northern parts of Vietnam, so as bánh tét is more popular in the south. Preparation can take days. After moulding them into their respective shapes the square shape is achieved using a wooden frame, they are boiled for several hours to cook. The story of their origins and their connection with Tết is often recounted to children while cooking them overnight. Hạt dưa roasted watermelon seeds, also eaten during Tết Dưa hành pickled onion and pickled cabbage Củ kiệu pickled small leeks Mứt These dried candied fruits are rarely eaten at any time besides Tết. Kẹo dừa coconut candy Kẹo mè xửng peanut brittle with sesame seeds or peanuts Cầu sung dừa Đủ xoài In southern Vietnam, popular fruits used for offerings at the family altar in fruit arranging art are the custard-apple/sugar-apple/soursop mãng cầu, coconut dừa, goolar fig sung, papaya đu đủ, and mango xoài, since they sound like "cầu sung vừa đủ xài" [We] pray for enough [money/resources/funds/goods/etc.] to use in the southern dialect of Vietnamese. Thịt Kho Nước Dừa Meaning "meat stewed in coconut juice", it is a traditional dish of pork belly and medium boiled eggs stewed in a broth-like sauce made overnight of young coconut juice and nuoc mam. It is often eaten with pickled bean sprouts and chives, and white rice. Xôi Gấc traditionally a red sticky rice that is typically prepared by steaming and sweetened lightly, typically paired with Chả lụa most common type of sausage in Vietnamese cuisine, made of pork and traditionally wrapped in banana leaves. Game & EntertainmentPeople enjoy traditional games during Tết, including bầu cua cá cọp, cờ tướng, ném còn, chọi trâu, and đá gà. They also participate in some competitions presenting their knowledge, strength, and aestheticism, such as the bird competition and ngâm thơ competition. Fireworks displays have also become a traditional part of a Tết celebration in Vietnam. During the New Year's Eve, fireworks displays at major cities, such as Hà Nội, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, are broadcast through multiple national and local TV channels, accompanied by New Year wishes of the incumbent president. Gặp nhau cuối năm Year-end Gathering is a national favourite comedy show broadcast during the night before the New Year's Eve. Tet Offensive 1968The Tet Offensive Vietnamese Sự kiện Tết Mậu Thân 1968, or officially called The General Offensive and Uprising of Tet Mau Than 1968 Vietnamese Tổng Tiến công và Nổi dậy Tết Mậu Thân 1968 was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, launched on January 30, 1968 by forces of the Viet Cong VC and North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam PAVN against the forces of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam ARVN, the United States Armed Forces and their allies. It was a campaign of surprise attacks against military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam. The name of the offensive comes from the Tết holiday, the Vietnamese New Year, when the first major attacks took place. When is Tet Vietnam?Check the below table for the date of Vietnamese Tet until 2067 Zodiac Gregorian date Tý Rat 25 January 2020 11 February 2032 30 January 2044 15 February 2056 Sửu Buffalo 12 February 2021 31 January 2033 17 February 2045 4 February 2057 Dần Tiger 1 February 2022 19 February 2034 6 February 2046 24 January 2058 Mèo Cat 22 January 2023 8 February 2035 26 January 2047 12 February 2059 Thìn Dragon 10 February 2024 28 January 2036 14 February 2048 2 February 2060 Tỵ Snake 29 January 2025 15 February 2037 2 February 2049 21 January 2061 Ngọ Horse 17 February 2026 4 February 2038 23 January 2050 9 February 2062 Mùi Goat 6 February 2027 24 January 2039 11 February 2051 29 January 2063 Thân Monkey 26 January 2028 12 February 2040 1 February 2052 17 February 2064 Dậu Rooster 13 February 2029 1 February 2041 18 February 2053 5 February 2065 Tuất Dog 2 February 2030 22 January 2042 8 February 2054 26 January 2066 Hợi Pig 23 January 2031 10 February 2043 28 January 2055 14 February 2067 Traveling during Tet Festival in VietnamWhat does the Tet festival in Vietnam mean for tourists? It is a particularly good time to visit in Vietnam? Should I time my Vietnam visit to avoid Tet? Many travelers have such doubts in mind. To help you make the decision, here are some facts to know about Vietnam during Tet Holiday Transportation flights, buses and trains about 1 week before or after Tet Holiday are often booked out well in advance as Vietnamese travel a lot this time return home/go back for work. Be sure to book early. Note Sonasia Holiday provides private vehicle for customers, so there is no need to worry about short-distance transportation. Accommodation most hotels remain open, so there is no need to worry about accommodation. However, some hotels may raise the price if you stay during Tet holiday. Sightseeing some tourist sites remain open during Tet, but many museums, mausoleums, and indoor exhibition place and art houses will be closed at the first 3 days of Tet. The floating markets in the Mekong Delta will be closed. Restaurants many restaurants will be closed during Tet. Therefore, Tet may not be the best time for culinary tour fans. Shops many shops will be closed for the first few days of Tet Festival. The good news is - many products will be sold at a very reasonable price because most sellers want to start a smooth sales year. Banks banks will be closed for the holiday. Overall, Tet is not the best time to travel to Vietnam, but will all these factors spoil your Vietnam holiday during Tet? Not really. Here are some good parts of Tet for travelers The country is vibrant and colorful during this time, and you will have a chance to learn more about culture of Vietnam. Streets are quiet and light in traffic during Tet. Beaches will be less crowded - overall Tet is a great time for those who enjoy the tranquility. Streets are elaborately decorated, and everybody looks happy. Just enjoy the festive mood! Hotels and travel agents still work during Tet holiday. Some hotels will have special nights or New Year celebration. Our tips for traveling during Tet in VietnamIf you're planning to visit Vietnam during Tet holiday, here are some tips. Be sure to plan and book your Vietnam tour early so that tickets can be guaranteed. Booking two or four months ahead is not a bad idea. Book hotels early. There are three reasons you can enjoy a relatively low price; avoid the risk of having no room to stay; there are more choices if book early. Since some tourist sites are closed during Tet, it’s wise to plan your itinerary accordingly visit the museums and such just before or after Tet, and relax or walk around Hanoi Old Quarter or go sunbathing in beaches during Tet. For travelers, dining at hotel restaurants is the option since most restaurants are closed. If you are in need of some currency changed, do this in hotels though the exchange rate might be less than favorable. Try not to bargain because it will be considered to bring about bad luck for the whole new year. If you have to do, be very politely. All in all, if you're planning to visit Vietnam during or around Tet Holiday, be sure to prepare your trip ahead of time! What's the weather like during Tet Vietnam?The Tet Holiday usually falls in mid-January or February. Dry, bright weather is expected across Vietnam. Temperatures in the north Hanoi, Halong Bay will be relatively cool avg temp 17 °C but higher in central Vietnam Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Nha Trang, etc and South Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta avg temp 25-28 °C. Celebrations of Lunar New Year in other parts of AsiaDuring the same period, there are some other parts in Asia also celebrate the new year with quite the same meaning & traditions such as China, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, or Tibetan Some countries celebrate the new year during March or April depending on the calendar that they follow such as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, or Cambodia. For further detail you can check our article about the New Year’s Traditions in Asia Lunar New Year also known as Chinese New Year happens this year on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Why does the Lunar New Year start at a different time each year? How is this important holiday celebrated? What does the Year of the Rabbit symbolize? Learn all about this holiday! When Is Lunar New Year? Lunar New Year begins on the date in East Asia of the second new Moon after the winter solstice, which always takes place in late December. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can occur anytime between January 21 and February 20. In 2023, this new Moon occurs in China on Sunday, January 22, marking the start of a new lunar Next Year Lunar New Year Chinese Zodiac Sign 2023 Sunday, January 22 Rabbit 2024 Saturday, February 10 Dragon 2025 Wednesday, January 29 Snake 2026 Tuesday, February 17 Horse Note Due to the difference in time zones, the new Moon may technically occur one calendar date earlier or later in United States. See our Moon Phase Calendar for local times. Why Are There Different New Years? The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it is based on astronomical observations of the Sun’s position in the sky and the Moon’s phases. This ancient calendar dates back to 14th century BCE whereas the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582. The Chinese lunisolar calendar shares some similarities with the Hebrew calendar, which is also lunisolar, and it has influenced other East Asian calendars, such as those of Korea and Vietnam. Because the Chinese calendar defines the lunar month containing the winter solstice as the 11th month, Lunar New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Just like New Year according to the Gregorian calendar January 1, Lunar New Year celebrations start on the night before the first day of the new year. Note China follows the Gregorian calendar for daily business, but still follows the Chinese calendar for important festivals, auspicious dates such as wedding dates, and the Moon phases. Who Celebrates Lunar New Year? Although this holiday has commonly been called “Chinese New Year” in the West, China is not the only country to observe it. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most celebrated and longest of all Asian festivals, and is observed by millions of people around the world. A number of other countries in East Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, hold their own new year celebrations at this time. Occasionally, the date celebrated may differ by one day or even one moon cycle due to time zones and other factors. How Is Lunar New Year Celebrated? As with many winter solstice celebrations, the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles. Man-made paper lanterns are hung by the hundreds in public areas, bringing good luck to the new year. There are dragon dances, performances, and festival parades with music and acrobatics. The festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a special lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period. Of course, much delicious food is made and served! For the New Year, it’s traditional to serve long noodles, symbolizing a long life. See our recipe for Longevity Noodles. Another popular recipe for New Year is Chinese Dumplings, symbolizing good luck and wealth. Families wrap them up and eat them as the clock strikes midnight. “Good Luck” is also a common theme of the New Year. Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes. Sometimes offerings are made to temples. People clean their homes and open their door to let good luck enter. According to tradition, no one should pick up a broom, in case you sweep the good luck for the New Year out of the door! What Is the Animal for Chinese New Year This Year? In 2023, we ring in the Year of the Rabbit, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The animal designations of the zodiac follow a 12-year cycle and are always used in the same sequence. What Qualities Does the Rabbit Represent? Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be talented at many things. They are affectionate people, often excelling at forming close relationships. However, they also appreciate tranquility and seek out peace. How the Chinese Zodiac Works The traditional Chinese lunisolar year has 12 months and 353 to 355 days or during a leap year, 13 months and 383 to 385 days. Therefore, the Chinese year usually begins several weeks into the western 365-day year usually between January 21 and February 20, not on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar. As is ancient tradition, the Chinese zodiac attaches animal signs to each lunar year in a cycle of 12 years. The animal designation changes at the start of the New Year. A Deeper Look On a broader scale, the Chinese lunisolar calendar counts its years according to the stem-branch system, which is a 60-year rotating name system also known as the Chinese sexagenary cycle. By this, a year’s name actually contains two parts the celestial stem and the terrestrial branch. The celestial, or heavenly stem, is taken from a rotating list of 10 terms concerning the yin/yang forms of five elements. The Stem wood, fire, earth, metal, and water jia, yi, bing, ding, wu, ji, geng, xin, ren, and gui. Stem/Element jia = yang wood yi = yin wood bing = yang fire ding = yin fire wu = yang earth ji = yin earth geng = yang metal xin = yin metal ren = yang water gui = yin water The terrestrial, or earthly, branch is taken from a rotating list of the 12 animal names of the Chinese zodiac. Branch/Animal zi = rat chou = ox yin = tiger mao = rabbit chen = dragon si = snake wu = horse wei = sheep/goat shen = monkey you = rooster xu = dog hai - boar/pig So, putting the stem and branch terms together, the first year in a 60-year cycle is called jia-zi Year of the Rat as jia is the celestial stem and zi rat is the terrestrial branch. The next year is yi-chou Year of the Ox, and so on. The 11th year is jia-xu, etc., until a new cycle starts over with jia-zi. Which Chinese Zodiac Sign Are You? Below are the 12 animal designations of the Chinese zodiac. Please note If you were born before the Chinese New Year began for the year listed, then you were born under the previous Chinese zodiac sign. For example, the Chinese New Year began on January 28 in 2017; from that date onward, the sign is the Rooster. For those born between January 1 and January 27, 2017, the sign is the Monkey. Rat Zi Ambitious and sincere, you can be generous with your money. Compatible with the dragon and the monkey. Your opposite is the horse. 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 Ox or Buffalo Chou A leader, you are bright, patient, and cheerful. Compatible with the snake and the rooster. Your opposite is the sheep. 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 Tiger Yin Forthright and sensitive, you possess great courage. You have the ability to be a strong leader capable of great sympathy. Compatible with the horse and the dog. Your opposite is the monkey. 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 Rabbit or Hare Mao Talented and affectionate, you are a seeker of tranquility. Compatible with the sheep and the pig. Your opposite is the rooster. 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Dragon Chen Robust and passionate, your life is filled with complexity. Compatible with the monkey and the rat. Your opposite is the dog. 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 Snake Si Strong-willed and intense, you display great wisdom. Compatible with the rooster and the ox. Your opposite is the pig. 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 Horse Wu Physically attractive and popular, you like the company of others. Compatible with the tiger and the dog. Your opposite is the rat. 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 Sheep or Goat Wei Aesthetic and stylish, you enjoy being a private person. Compatible with the pig and the rabbit. Your opposite is the ox. 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 Monkey Shen Persuasive, skillful, and intelligent, you strive to excel. Compatible with the dragon and the rat. Your opposite is the tiger. 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 Rooster You Seeking wisdom and truth, you have a pioneering spirit. Compatible with the snake and the ox. Your opposite is the rabbit. 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 Dog Xu Generous and loyal, you have the ability to work well with others. Compatible with the horse and the tiger. Your opposite is the dragon. 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 Pig or Boar Hai Gallant and noble, your friends will remain at your side. Compatible with the rabbit and the sheep. Your opposite is the snake. 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 What’s your Chinese zodiac sign? Let us know in the comments! You should know do’s and don’ts to avoid awkward moments in Vietnam during Tet celebration. The most important celebration in Vietnamese culture, Tet Holiday carries love and hope; signifies family and friend kinship; and promises a better year ahead. If you are interested in learning about local life in Vietnam, there could not be a better time than Tet. So, what s the Tet in Vietnam? Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet for short, is considered the biggest and most popular festival of the year in Vietnam. Celebrated on the first day of the first month in Lunar Calendar, Tet’s celebration is the longest holiday which may last up to seven to nine days. Vietnamese New Year in 2021 will last from 11-16 Feb, with 11 Feb the New Year’s Eve and 12 Feb the new year day. Different from the Gregorian calendar, Lunar Calendar has a fix number of twelve months with 30 days each, and a leap-year will have a whole intercalary month instead of the 29th day of February. The new year of Lunar Calendar normally will start in late January or beginning of February according to Gregorian calendar. That explains why Tet days vary from year to year it is because the leap month may fall shorter or longer which create a smaller or bigger gap between the two calendars. In 2022, Tet is on February 1st, Year of the Tiger Coming In 2023, Tet is on January 22nd, Year of the Cat In 2024, Tet is on February 10th, Year of the Dragon The actual holiday will last 1 day before and about 3-5 days after the day mentioned above. The period before Tet is normally the most busy time for holiday shopping and preparation. If you plan to visit Vietnam during the Tet Holiday, it is strongly advised that you apply for a visa as soon as possible as the embassy offices may close during the holiday time above. Tet is the occasion for Vietnamese to express their respect and remembrance for their ancestors as well as welcoming the New Year with their beloved family members. Moreover, in the past, Tet was essential as it provided one of few long breaks during the agricultural year, which was held between the harvesting of the crops and the sowing of the next ones. To make it easier, one can imagine Tet as a combination of Christmas and New Year every family will get together to have big meals, decorate Tet trees and eat Tet food but to welcome the new year instead of a religious cause. Watch our latest video My heart can feel Tet for the most vivid image from Tet in Vietnam. Since Tet occupies an important role in Vietnamese’s religious beliefs, Vietnamese will begin their preparations well in advance of the upcoming New Year. In an effort to get rid of the bad luck of the old year, people will spend a few days cleaning their homes, polishing every utensil, or even repaint and decorate the house with kumquat tree, branches of peach blossom, and many other colorful flowers. The ancestral altar is especially taken care of, with careful decoration of five kinds of fruits and votive papers, along with many religious rituals. Everybody, especially children, buy new clothes and shoes to wear on the first days of New Year. People also try to pay all their pending debts and resolve all the arguments among colleagues, friends or members of family. Like other Asian countries, Vietnamese believe that the color of red and yellow will bring good fortune, which may explain why these colors can be seen everywhere in Lunar New Year. People consider what they do on the dawn of Tet will determine their fate for the whole year, hence people always smile and behave as nice as they can in the hope for a better year. Besides, gifts are exchanged between family members and friends and relatives, while children receive lucky money kept in red envelope. No matter where Tet is celebrated, it must be clarified from the beginning that Tet is not a day, but several days of celebration. The general process is as follow all dates quoted in lunar calendar Ông Công, Ông Táo Day Kitchen God day – December 23rd Wrapping Chung cake – December 26-28th Family reunion and Tất niên – December 30th Giao thừa – New Year’s Eve including praying sessions to God and Ancestors, Xông đất First visit to a family in the new year. First three days of the new year visit paternal side on the first day, maternal side on the second day and teachers on the third day. Visit relatives, friends and neighbours can take place from January 3rd – 5th Hóa vàng – burn the offerings near Tet’s end for ancestors January 4th Reopen business usually owners pick a good date that matches their age. Tết Nguyên Tiêu January 15th The following food is often consumed during Tet; some are particular to Tet and often associated with the grand celebration Banh Chung/ Banh Tet Pickled onions Boiled chicken Mung bean pudding Vietnamese sausage – giò chả Xôi Gấc – Red Sticky Rice Roasted nuts and seeds Do’s and don’ts during Tet holidays Vietnam’s Hanoi street by night Tet is the special time of the year in which people believe the positive or negative energies in those days may linger the whole year. There some important do’s and don’ts on Tet that you should know • Avoid entering anybody’s house on the first day of Lunar New Year without an invitation as it is the first person stepping in the door who set the mood for the entire year. Vietnamese people also believe the zodiac animal of the first foot of the new year is associated with also determines the outcomes of the next year. • Do not ask for money on Tet as it is a premonition of an economic exhaustion year. • Avoid debating unhealthy topics on Tet, which is believed to shoo the luck and happiness away. • Do not sweep the house on the very first day of the lunar year as it means sweeping all the fortune of the owners. • Squids, ducks, etc. are considered to bring bad luck so their meat is not favorable dish for Tet. • Avoid working on the 5th of the New Year as it is not a good day for departures since it is considered to be the anniversary of the death. It is also advisable not to start working on that day. • Avoid hurting or killing. Related When the weather is a bit chilly, it signals a new beginning — a season where the flower buds awaken on the branches and buds fresh. Tet is a traditional holiday of Vietnam that celebrates the transition and the welcoming of a new year. Tet is also commonly known as Lunar New Year for some Asian countries like such as China, South Korea, and is always a series of new beginnings. It’s an event that invites people towards a positive way forward with joy and is tetLunar New Year is an essential occasion for Vietnamese people. During this holiday, there will be many activities about traditional culture and festivals that have been ongoing for thousands of years. Tet is a moment of joy, a time where family and friends meet up, review old memories and to celebrate the new year together. This occasion usually falls in January or February of the Gregorian like any traditional holiday, Tet has food, decorations, and customs that color and give meaning to this important event of the foodBanh ChungThe first thing that is special about Tet is the traditional food that gets featured during this special event. The most popular dish is Banh Chung or Vietnamese Rice Cake. Made from sticky rice, pork and mung bean, all wrapped up in a banana leaf, Banh Chung has a center spot on every family altar during Tet to pray for their ancestors to support and look after the family the entire ChungBoiled ChickenBoiled chicken is also an indispensable plate in Tet Holiday. This dish is one that can’t be missing during ceremonies, weddings, and housewarmings. Accordingly, it definitely can’t be absent during Tet. People boil a chicken, then season with some lemon leaves and dip in salt. The taste of it contributes significantly to the unforgettable vibe of Tet GacAnother great flavor on the menu is Xoi Gac or steamed Momordica glutinous rice. Not only during Tet, but Xoi Gac is also popular in any Vietnamese wedding because it is considered a luck charm. With its exclusive orange color, sweet scent, and luxurious texture, Xoi Gac has its position placing next to Banh Chung, boiled chicken, and other traditional food on the family altar during Tet Spring RollsAside from the above, you can also expect to see fried spring rolls as a part of the traditional culinary. The golden fried wraps contain pork, jelly-ear mushroom, and bean sprout add to the holiday that mesmerizing crusty and fatty taste bringing unique appetite to Blossom and Apricot BlossomIf Banh Chung and fried spring rolls please the taste buds, then peach and apricot blossom charm the eyes of people during Tet holiday. These flowers are not only the symbol of luck, health, and prosperity, but they also bring the best of everything to the family in the new picturesIn the old days of Vietnam, people came to a calligraphy master and asked for parallel sentences on red paper rolls so that they could hang for Tet. Although calligraphy masters are not popular in the modern world anymore, but parallel sentences are still a unique part of any home decoration during Lunar New sentences, are simple, but bear the meaningful words to bring lots of success, money, health, and Gods Farewell CeremonyOne of the earliest and the most important customs of Tet Holiday is the Kitchen Gods Farewell Ceremony. On the 23rd of the last month in the lunar calendar, people offer carps and the dishes mentioned above to the Kitchen ceremony is meant to send off the Kitchen Gods to heaven. Traveling to the sky using the carps, the two gods and goddess of Kitchen will report to the King of Heaven about what happened in the previous year of the family, and will come back on the last day of Tet to celebrate the holiday with the Year’s Eve OfferingsOn New Year’s Eve, before the clock strikes twelve, the family would have both an open and in-door ceremony. The family would celebrate in open air first, to send thanks to the gods, with offerings including a boiled chicken, xoi gac, and flowers. After that, the family would come inside, over the ancestor altar pray for the ancestors to come home and celebrate the new Xi Lucky MoneyWhat everyone especially children loves the best thing about Tet Holiday is receiving Li Xi, or Lucky Money. The money is enclosed in bright red envelopes and given by the elderly during Tet as a mean of wishing good luck, health, and happiness in the new old people, it is a sign of respect and generosity. However, to children, Li Xi money is a mean of supply for hang-outs, clothes, and Xi Nam MoiActivitiesFamily ReunionThere are plenty of things during Tet. Most activities are about the theme of a family reunion. And indeed, a family reunion is the first thing that people do the early morning of Tet. People from any place, no matter how far or how busy, will try their best to find a way back to the family reunion. Everyone would come together and be in each other’s arms for the annual PagodaPeople will also visit the pagoda for good luck in the new year. They come here to wish for good luck for the rest of the year. Elders pray for their ancestors and ask them to look after each family member. Friends wish each other wellness, and children ask for a lot of toys and pictures on Flower StreetsOne favorite hotspot of Tet Holiday is the flower street. Every year, anyone who passes by the city center will look at constructing the year’s flower arrangements with curiosity. The amazing construction will bring a stunning landscape offer countless beautiful spots to selfie come here to admire and take photos in their traditional clothes and have a good time with their friends and to be aware of for Tet Holiday?Busy markets and price increaseTet is an important national holiday, meaning people should make sure they have all the essential items needed beforehand. Consequently, this results in busy markets, especially in the last week before New Year's the high demand for Tet items increase, that leads to an increase in price. So, don’t very surprised when fruits are more expensive than usual. Alternatively, you can prepare earlier to avoid the hefty StreetAirplane and Bus ticketsTet holiday is the only longest holiday when the family can see each other again. It means that it will be harder to book a flight or a bus trip during this holiday. If you plan to travel around Vietnam, be sure to book your plane, train, or bus ticket in holiday is not just for Vietnamese people, it is for anyone who wishes to be at home again, and home is where the heart is. So, get your heart on, put on your Tet spirit, and indulge in the Tet holiday on your next trip to OverviewThe capital of Vietnam is a city of timeless grace with tree-lined boulevards, colonial buildings, many lakes and parks as well as temples and pagodas. Best time to travel to HueLocated in the Central Coast of Vietnam, Hue province become one of key tourist regions included beautiful natural landscapes and hospitable people. This region belongs to humid tropical weather the temperature will be up to 39 degree in the dry season and could be 18 degree during the rainy 8 best places for dining in HanoiIf you are crazy about Hanoi cuisine, don't miss this article! Let us take you to the top 8 best places for dining in Hanoi from fine dining to local eateries.

lunar new year or tet is vietnam's main holiday