Lunar New Year, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture, as well as in other East Asian cultures like Chinese, Korean, and Mongolian. It marks the arrival of spring according to the lunar calendar and the end of winter. Celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, this festival is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and most importantly, welcoming in good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead.

In Vietnam, Tết is not only a time for family, but also a time rich with symbolism, traditions, and rituals, all of which are aimed at ensuring that the coming year is filled with health, happiness, and prosperity. This article explores the lucky customs and traditions that define Tết Nguyên Đán, their origins, and how they shape the celebrations and the lives of those who observe them.

1. The Significance of Tết Nguyên Đán

Tết Nguyên Đán is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, celebrated at the same time as Chinese New Year, but with a few variations that are unique to Vietnam. In 2024, Tết will fall on February 10, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength, courage, and prosperity.

The festival signifies the arrival of spring, the renewal of nature, and the cleansing of negative energy. People believe that Tết is an opportunity to start fresh, leaving behind past misfortunes and welcoming in a new, more prosperous year. One of the central themes of Tết is the idea of luck—ensuring that the coming year is filled with happiness, success, and good fortune.

2. Lucky Foods for Tết

Food plays a central role in Tết Nguyên Đán celebrations. Many dishes eaten during the holiday are infused with symbolic meaning, each meant to bring good luck, prosperity, and health in the new year. These foods are traditionally shared with family, friends, and visitors, as a way of promoting goodwill and unity.

Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét

One of the most iconic foods of Tết is Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cakes) and Bánh Tét (round sticky rice cakes). Both of these cakes are made of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, and they carry deep symbolic meaning. The square shape of Bánh Chưng represents the Earth, while the round shape of Bánh Tét symbolizes the heavens. Both cakes are meant to honor the Earth and ancestors. Additionally, Bánh Chưng is believed to bring good luck and prosperity, while Bánh Tét symbolizes family unity and the continuity of life.

Pickled Onions and Greens

A common accompaniment to the cakes is pickled onions or greens, which are said to purify the body and remove any bad energy from the old year, making space for fresh, positive energy to enter the new year. The tartness of the onions is believed to cleanse the spirit and open doors for good fortune.

Fish and Meat Dishes

In many Vietnamese homes, it is also common to prepare a feast with a variety of fish and meats, symbolizing abundance. Fish, especially carp, is considered a sign of prosperity. The fish is often served whole to symbolize completeness and the idea that the family will experience fullness and prosperity in the new year.

3. Lucky Decorations for Tết

Decorations are an important part of Tết, as they help to create an atmosphere of joy and celebration while also bringing positive energy into the home. The decorations chosen for the holiday are typically based on their symbolic meanings.

Peach Blossoms and Apricot Flowers

One of the most widely recognized symbols of Tết is the peach blossom (hoa đào), which is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and longevity. In the north of Vietnam, peach blossoms are a favorite decoration, while in the south, apricot flowers (hoa mai) are preferred. Both flowers are believed to dispel evil spirits and attract good fortune. Peach blossoms are especially linked to wealth and success, while apricot flowers symbolize joy and prosperity.

Lucky Red Lanterns and Couplets

Red lanterns and couplets (pairs of written verses) are hung in homes and businesses to welcome the new year. Red is considered an extremely lucky color in Vietnamese culture, representing happiness, wealth, and good fortune. The couplets often carry well-wishes for the coming year, such as “Peace and Prosperity” or “Good Health and Happiness”, reminding everyone of the hope and optimism that the new year brings.

Gold and Wealth Symbols

Gold decorations, such as golden ingots or coins, are another common sight during Tết. These are thought to attract wealth and prosperity, ensuring that the household will enjoy financial success in the year ahead. Many people place small gold coins or golden envelopes in their homes or businesses, believing that they will help draw in money and wealth.

4. Tết Activities and Rituals for Good Luck

Tết is also known for its many rituals and activities aimed at ushering in good luck and removing bad energy. These customs have been passed down through generations and are observed by people of all ages.

First Visitor of the Year (Xông Đất)

The first person to enter a home after midnight on the first day of the new year is believed to bring either good luck or bad luck for the entire year. This is called “Xông Đất”. Traditionally, families choose someone who is prosperous, healthy, and happy to be the first visitor of the year. It is said that if the first visitor is a kind and successful person, their qualities will be transferred to the household, bringing good fortune.

In modern times, many families still observe this tradition by inviting close friends or relatives who are thought to be lucky to come over first. Gifts of money or red envelopes are often exchanged as part of the celebration.

Cleaning and Sweeping (Dọn Dẹp Nhà Cửa)

Before the new year begins, families thoroughly clean and sweep their homes, as it is believed that cleaning away the old year will also remove bad luck and negative energy. However, cleaning on the first day of Tết is avoided, as it is thought that doing so would sweep away all the good fortune of the new year. This is a time to ensure that the house is clean, fresh, and ready to receive the blessings of the new year.

Offering Sacrifices to Ancestors (Cúng Tổ Tiên)

Another important tradition is the offering of sacrifices to ancestors. Families set up altars in their homes with offerings of food, incense, and fruit to honor their ancestors. This ritual is done in the belief that the spirits of ancestors will bless the family with good fortune and protection in the coming year.

The smoke from incense is thought to connect the living with the spirits of their ancestors, and the offerings of food represent respect and gratitude. Tết is a time to pay homage to the past while looking forward to the future.

5. The Role of Family and Reunions in Tết

One of the most cherished aspects of Tết is the reunion of family members, regardless of how far they may live. Many people travel from different parts of the country or abroad to be with their loved ones during this special time. Tết is not just about wealth and prosperity; it is about family unity, gratitude, and honoring the importance of relationships.

Families spend time together, enjoy meals, share memories, and wish each other happiness, health, and success for the coming year. It is a time to bond and show love, reinforcing the importance of togetherness and mutual support.

6. Conclusion

Tết Nguyên Đán is a time of celebration, renewal, and hope. The customs and traditions that surround this holiday are rich with meaning and symbolism, all designed to invite good fortune, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead. Through rituals, food, decorations, and family reunions, the Vietnamese celebrate not only the new year but also the values of gratitude, respect for ancestors, and unity. As Tết continues to be observed with passion and devotion, its lucky traditions remain a vital part of Vietnamese culture and an essential means of ushering in a bright and prosperous future.