WHAT DO VIETNAMESE PEOPLE DO IN TET HOLIDAY?

1. Cleaning the house:

Cleaning the house for Tet holiday symbolizes the removal of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune for the upcoming lunar year. This tradition is rooted in the belief that a clean and organized home not only pleases the ancestors but also attracts positive energy and prosperity. 

2. Tet traditional food preparation:

Vietnamese usually select fruit from the market to present a 5-fruit tray, wrap Vietnamese square sticky cake, cylinder sticky rice cake, dry onion to create pickled onion,.. The act of preparing these festive meals not only brings loved ones together but also honors ancestral traditions, fostering a sense of unity and abundance as the Vietnamese welcome the Lunar New Year. 

3. New Year’s Eve celebration: 

Vietnamese families gather on New Year's Eve to collectively witness the significant moment marking the transition to a new year. It’s a special occasion that every set aside time to go back home and utinite with long-distance members. It is also a shared belief that during this time, they can cast away any lingering misfortune and welcome good luck into their lives as they embark on the journey into the upcoming year.

4. The Kitchen Gods' Day:  

On this day, families bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods by burning effigies or offerings, symbolizing the departure of the deities to report on the household's activities to the Jade Emperor in the heavens. This ritual is believed to purify the home and make way for a fresh start in the upcoming Lunar New Year, ensuring the family's prosperity and well-being.

5. Tomb sweeping:

Tomb sweeping or cleaning the ancestry’s grave is a solemn tradition where families clean and decorate the graves of their ancestors. This act symbolizes respect and honoring the deceased and maintaining a strong connection with family heritage. It is a spiritual gesture believed to bring blessings and ensure the well-being of both the living and the departed during the Lunar New Year. It also recalls the tradition of Vietnamese “ when drinking water, remember its source.”

6. Giving wishes and receive the red envelope:

Giving wishes and receiving red envelopes, known as "lì xì," during the Tết holiday in Vietnam symbolizes the exchange of blessings and good fortune. The act of offering well-wishes expresses the desire for happiness, prosperity, and health for the recipient throughout the coming year. The red envelopes, often containing money, are considered a gesture of generosity and are believed to bring luck and financial blessings to the recipients, especially younger family and the elders members.

7. Calligraphy giving:

A Calligraphy master will inscribe specific words or sentences (cho chữ) according to the desires of those seeking blessings. These words symbolize aspirations for a new life, such as Tài Lộc, Phú Lộc Thọ, Chúc mừng năm mới,... Additionally, receiving talents and good fortune from a Calligraphy master reflects the enduring studious tradition among the Vietnamese people.