How Vietnam’s New Year “Tet” Differs from Japan! Exploring Tet Culture and Celebration Traditions
In Vietnam, the New Year is celebrated during “Tet” (the Lunar New Year). Unlike Japan and other countries, Tet is marked by unique customs and deeply rooted cultural practices. During Tet, spending time with family and friends is especially cherished, and long-held traditions are carefully observed. Additionally, giving “lucky money” is an important custom during Tet, adding a fascinating twist to the celebrations. This article delves into Vietnam’s New Year “Tet,” comparing it to other countries’ customs, exploring the lucky money tradition, and sharing how people celebrate this festive time.
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1. What is Vietnam’s New Year, “Tet”?
In Vietnam, the New Year known as “Tet” follows the Lunar Calendar and is celebrated on the first day of the lunar year, which changes each year. Like the Chinese Lunar New Year, Tet is based on the lunar calendar, usually falling between late January and early February. During this period, Vietnamese people prepare to welcome the new year by spending time with family and close friends.
Tet usually lasts from a week to ten days, a long holiday period when most people take time off from work and school. As the year-end approaches, families clean their homes, put up festive decorations to bring good luck, and prepare for the new year.
2. Differences from Other Countries: Unique Customs of Tet
Tet in Vietnam has unique customs that set it apart from New Year celebrations in other countries. For example, during Tet, Vietnamese people decorate their homes with “Mai” (yellow apricot blossoms) and “Kumquat” trees. These plants symbolize luck and prosperity, representing a wish for a bountiful and successful new year.
On the first day of Tet, the first visitor to a home holds special significance, as they are believed to determine the household’s fortune for the year. For this reason, families often invite close relatives or auspicious friends as the first visitors of the year.
Additionally, unlike Japan’s one-day celebration of New Year, Tet involves several days of festivities during which people visit relatives and friends to exchange blessings for the year.
3. Vietnam’s Lucky Money Tradition
One of the essential parts of Tet is the tradition of “Li Xi,” or lucky money. Unlike Japan’s New Year gift money, in Vietnam, lucky money is given in a red envelope (also called “Li Xi”). In Vietnamese culture, red represents luck and prosperity, making it a highly auspicious color for the New Year.
Traditionally, Li Xi is given from elders to younger family members, though sometimes employers give it to their staff, or friends exchange it as well. The amount of money is usually modest, as the custom emphasizes goodwill and New Year’s greetings rather than the value of the money itself.
4. How Families Spend Time During Tet
During Tet, Vietnamese families come together and enjoy relaxed quality time. It is a time for family reunions, often bringing relatives who have been away back home, where they celebrate, reminisce, and discuss future plans. Families also perform traditional rituals, such as offering gifts to ancestors to honor their memory and show respect.
People also visit each other’s homes during Tet, exchanging New Year greetings with friends and relatives. Tet is a special time for strengthening ties with family and friends, providing an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones who are otherwise hard to see.
5. Essential Tet Dishes and Decorations
Tet wouldn’t be complete without traditional Vietnamese New Year foods. The most iconic Tet dishes are “Banh Chung” and “Banh Tet.” Banh Chung is a square, green-colored sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Banh Tet, on the other hand, is cylindrical in shape and is also considered a lucky food.
Homes are decorated with “Mai” blossoms, “Kumquat” trees, and other traditional Tet items to create a lively and joyful atmosphere. These decorations are imbued with hopes for happiness and prosperity, and they have become a beloved part of Tet.
6. Conclusion
Vietnam’s New Year “Tet” is filled with unique customs and traditions that differ greatly from Japan’s New Year. Family time is cherished above all else, and various customs are carefully followed to ensure a prosperous year ahead. Additionally, giving “lucky money” (Li Xi), special decorations, and traditional dishes are essential elements of Tet, all of which bring family and friends closer together.
Tet is not only a festive celebration but also a meaningful occasion to strengthen family bonds and wish for good fortune in the coming year. Learning about Tet provides an enriching perspective on Vietnamese culture, making it a truly special experience.
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