The atmosphere of Tet is everywhere in Vietnam. Peach blossoms are in full bloom, yellow apricots are blooming brightly, and everyone is busy cleaning and decorating their houses. Tết Nguyên Đán (or Lunar New Year Holiday) is a crucial holiday to Vietnamese people. It's not only a time for entertainment but also a time to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, express filial piety, and wish for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

Tet is a time for reunion and connection. People who live far away have the opportunity to return home, gather with their loved ones, and enjoy a warm meal together. It is also a time for people to visit relatives, neighbors, teachers, and friends, strengthening their bonds.

Traditional activities make Tet special. Vietnamese people enjoy various activities during Tet, such as giving lucky money, decorating their houses, visiting flower markets, greeting each other, picking lucky branches, watching fireworks, and going on spring outings. These activities create a vibrant, warm, and joyful atmosphere during Tet.

Food is an integral part of Tet. A "high table and full tray" is a must for Tet. Vietnamese people prepare special dishes that are rarely eaten on regular days. In the North, people enjoy banh chung (sticky rice cake), pickled onions, xoi (sticky rice with bean), chicken, and pork jelly. The Central region is known for its sophisticated flavors with banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake), banh to, banh in (printed sticky rice cake), and various kinds of sweet candies. In the South, people enjoy a variety of banh tet, from savory to vegetarian, thit kho tau (braised pork in fish sauce), and canh kho qua (bitter melon soup) to symbolize leaving behind the bitterness of the past year.

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News & images: Department of Cooperation & Development