Tet or Tet Nguyen Dan (in Vietnamese) is the term for the lunar year and is one of the most celebrated festivities in Vietnam. People prepare and consume traditional cuisines with their own symbolic meaning to celebrate the seven-day long festival.
However, not many of you would know about the Tet festival, its origin, meaning and the way it is celebrated.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated and celebrated in different ways from country to country. Countries in Asia such as China and South Korea also celebrate this festival, but in Vietnam, the lunar year is celebrated as Tet. Its origin is similar to that of Chinese New Year with some cultural differences.
This year, Tet falls on January 22. The date of the festival is determined by the Lunisolar calendar which can fall anytime between January 21, 2023 and February 20, 2023.
However, preparations for the Tet celebration generally begin after the Western New Year.
How is Tet celebrated?
Vietnamese welcome the Lunar New Year in numerous ways. As Indians celebrate Diwali, Vietnamese celebrate Tet. During these days, Vietnamese celebrate family gatherings.
The people follow ancient traditions, celebrate the beginning of the new year by cherishing the bond with their families on the special occasion.
The people clean and decorate their houses. They prepare delicious food to worship the three kitchen gods or guardians for a well-stocked kitchen for the whole year.
During this period, children and colleagues are given “Li Xi” or the red envelopes that represent prosperity, good fortune and happiness.
Tet bonus tradition?
Expat celebrates Tet holiday with Vietnamese
Vietnamese enjoy the Tet festival immensely as it is customary to give a Tet bonus to every employee who works in an organization. The bonus can be in any form, such as a salary increase, a monthly salary or perhaps more.