Vietnamese New Year  – 7 traditional customs of Vietnamese people during Tet

Steeped in rich cultural heritage, the Vietnamese New Year embodies meaningful customs passed down through generations. Join Cá Gỗ Vietnamese Restaurant in exploring seven remarkable Vietnamese New Year customs to better appreciate the nation’s cultural essence!

I. Offering to the Kitchen Gods

The tradition of worshiping the Kitchen Gods, or “Ông Công” and “Ông Táo”, is one of the most ancient and spiritually significant Vietnamese New Year customs. This occasion sees families tidying their kitchens, cleaning their homes, and preparing an offering tray to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods as they ascend to the heavens.

According to folklore, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, the Kitchen Gods ride carp fish to the heavens. They will report to the Jade Emperor about the household’s happenings over the past year. Hence, Vietnamese families hold a worship ceremony, hoping the deities will deliver positive words. This ensures that they will have a peaceful and prosperous new year.

The offering typically includes a traditional feast, symbolic items, and live carp fish, representing the transportation for the Kitchen Gods. Beyond its spiritual significance, this ceremony highlights the Vietnamese people’s cultural beauty and deep reverence for the protective deities of their homes.

II. Wrapping Chung Cakes and Preparing the Five-Fruit Tray For Vietnamese New Year

The tradition of making Chung cake is a quintessential cultural symbol of the Vietnamese New Year. This has become a cherished activity in hotels to engage guests in authentic festive experiences. Similarly, the elaborately arranged five-fruit tray reflects hopes for the coming year while honoring the nation’s rich heritage.

The square-shaped Chung cake, symbolizing the earth, embodies gratitude and the spirit of filial piety. In the days leading up to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, families gather to prepare the ingredients and wrap the cakes together. The vibrant green dong leaves, glistening white sticky rice, golden mung beans, and savory pork combine to create a dish rich in flavor and meaning.

In addition to Chung cake, the five-fruit tray is a vital element on the ancestral altar. Each fruit carries a unique blessing such as prosperity, happiness, or peace. Though regional differences in this tradition, the tray consistently conveys deep reverence and wishes for abundance in the year ahead.

III. Offering to the End of the Year and New Year’s Eve

The Year-End Offering and New Year’s Eve Ceremony are two indispensable rituals of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. These traditions mark the close of the old year and herald the arrival of a vibrant new beginning.

Typically held after the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, the Year-End Offering is a heartfelt ceremony. Families prepare a lavish feast, beautifully arranged on the ancestral altar, to invite their ancestors to gather with family. This ritual expresses gratitude to ancestors and serves as a moment for family members to reunite.

Following the Year-End Offering, Vietnamese families eagerly await the arrival of midnight, the symbolic transition from one year to the next. At this moment, the New Year’s Eve Ceremony is performed to dispel the misfortunes of the past year. The outdoor offering table, adorned with fresh flowers, sweets, symbolic items, and votive papers, is prepared with reverence and care.

IV. “Xong dat” – First Foot of Vietnamese New Year

Among the many diverse Vietnamese Lunar New Year customs, first footing, or “xong đat,” stands out as an exciting and meaningful tradition. Rooted in folklore, the term “xong” signifies entering, while “dat” refers to one’s domain. Thus, first footing refers to the first person to step into a home after the stroke of midnight.  

The selected first footer is often someone whose zodiac sign aligns harmoniously with the homeowner’s, exhibiting a cheerful personality and professional success. These qualities are believed to bring positive energy and smooth endeavors in the coming year. Before entering the house, the first footer typically prepares heartfelt New Year’s wishes and a small gift to bestow blessings on the host family.  

The tradition of the first foot reflects the aspiration for a promising year, fosters joy, and strengthens bonds among loved ones during the Vietnamese New Year. It is a distinctive cultural hallmark, enriching the depth and vibrancy of the festive celebration.  

V. Wishing a Happy New Year and Giving Lucky Money

One of the most anticipated customs of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year is exchanging good wishes and giving red envelopes. This meaningful tradition embodies the values of gratitude and unity, fostering bonds between generations within families and communities.

During the first days of the new year, it is customary for people to visit one another’s homes to offer heartfelt New Year’s wishes. These Vietnamese Lunar New Year wishes are more than just words they convey genuine affection and warmth from person to person.

Along with warm wishes, the giving of red envelopes signifies blessings of good fortune and prosperity. Vibrant red envelopes are exchanged between elders and children, or friends, and colleagues to share joy and positivity. The value of the gift lies not in its amount but in the heartfelt gesture of the giver, embodying wishes for a year of peace and abundance.

The customs of exchanging New Year’s wishes and giving red envelopes preserve cultural heritage and fill the festive days with warmth, connection, and cheer. These cherished traditions make the Vietnamese Lunar New Year a truly special and unforgettable celebration.

VI. Visiting Ancestors’ Graves

Visiting ancestral graves is a deeply meaningful Vietnamese Lunar New Year custom, reflecting the people’s gratitude and filial piety. It is a time for families to honor their ancestors’ legacy and offer prayers for peace and happiness in the coming year.

The ritual begins with cleaning and tidying the grave site, a gesture of care and respect for previous generations. Families then offer incense and arrange offerings such as flowers, fruits, and sweets to commemorate their ancestors and pay homage to their memory.

This tradition strengthens the bond between descendants and their roots and fosters family unity as members come together to share stories of their heritage. Preserving and practicing this custom enriches the profound humanity and distinctive cultural beauty of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

VII. Going to the Temple at the Beginning of the Year

Visiting temples at the start of the year is an integral part of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. This activity brings families together in a spiritual setting to pray for peace, good health, and abundant fortune in the year ahead.

From the very first day of the new year, many Vietnamese people make their way to temples to light incense, pay homage to Buddha, and offer petitions for blessings. They also seek temple tokens, such as lucky branches, red envelopes, or blessings from monks, symbolizing fortune and a positive beginning for the year.

The temple visit provides a serene moment for reflection, allowing individuals to leave behind the burdens of the past year and focus on a prosperous future. It’s also an opportunity to experience the essence of traditional New Year festivities in a solemn and tranquil cultural setting. This meaningful activity adds to the spiritual richness of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

VIII. Conclusion

The Vietnamese New Year is an occasion to reconnect with one’s roots, honor cherished traditions, and embrace the enduring values of Vietnamese culture. This profound festival serves as a tribute to the spiritual and cultural essence that defines the Vietnamese people. 

At Cá Gỗ Vietnamese Restaurant, we take pride in preserving and sharing the beauty of Vietnamese New Year customs. Let each passing spring become a treasured memory, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of all who celebrate.

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Contact information: 

Cá Gỗ Vietnamese Restaurant – Homely Litting Dining 

Add: 3rd Floor, 278 Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang

Hotline: (+84) 236 2228 666 

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