The Lunar New Year, or Tet Nguyen Dan, is the most significant traditional festival in Vietnam. It marks the transition between the old and new year, embodying a deep spiritual connection among communities, clans, and families. This celebration is not only a time for spiritual reflection but also a profound expression of emotional bonds within Vietnamese society.
Tet is eagerly anticipated by children, who look forward to donning new clothes, indulging in traditional sweets, and especially receiving li xi (lucky money). Yet, beyond these joys, Tet signifies the natural cycle of the earth, bridging the old year and the new, while reinforcing the ties within families and communities. It is a time to reflect on one's roots and honor ancestral traditions, carrying immense cultural and spiritual value.
As for its origins, Tet Nguyen Dan—often referred to as Tet Ca, Tet Ta, or simply Tet—derives from the Sino-Vietnamese characters. "Tet" is a localized pronunciation of the word "tiet" (season), and "Nguyen Dan" comes from the Chinese words: "Nguyen" meaning the beginning, and "Dan" referring to the early morning. Hence, the full name symbolizes the "festival of the first morning." Affectionately called "Tet Ta" by the Vietnamese, it serves to differentiate from "Tet Tay" (Western New Year). When is Tet Nguyen Dan celebrated?
Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam is based on the lunar calendar. Since this calendar follows the cycles of the moon, the Lunar New Year falls later than the Gregorian New Year. Due to the lunar leap year rule, where an extra month is added every three years, the first day of Tết never occurs before January 21 or after February 19 on the solar calendar. It typically takes place between late January and mid-February.
The entire Tet holiday period usually lasts from 7 to 8 days at the end of the old lunar year and the first 7 days of the new lunar year, starting from the 23rd day of the last month of the lunar calendar and ending on the 7th day of the first month of the new year. The Origins of Tet Nguyen Dan
Strongly influenced by over 1,000 years of Chinese domination, Tet Nguyen Dan is one of the cultural traditions introduced to Vietnam during that period. According to Chinese history, the origins of Tet date back to the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, with its observance evolving through different dynasties. During the Xia dynasty, which favored the color black, the first month of the year corresponded with the lunar month of the Tiger (Dan). The Shang dynasty, which revered white, celebrated the new year during the lunar month of the Ox (Suu). The Zhou dynasty preferred red, placing the new year in the month of the Rat (Ty). These dynasties linked the timing of the new year to the creation of heaven, earth, and humanity, with different days symbolizing these cosmic events.
By the time of the Eastern Zhou dynasty, Confucius formalized the new year as occurring in the month of the Tiger (Dan). This remained in place until the Qin dynasty (3rd century BC), when Emperor Qin Shi Huang shifted the celebration to the month of the Pig (Hoi), corresponding to October. However, under Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty (140 BC), the new year was once again set in the month of the Tiger, where it has remained ever since.
In the era of Dongfang Shuo, it was believed that each day of the new year celebrated the creation of different beings: chickens on the first day, dogs on the second, pigs on the third, goats on the fourth, oxen on the fifth, horses on the sixth, and humans on the seventh. Crops were said to have been created on the eighth day. As a result, Tet typically extends from the first day to the seventh day of the lunar new year. The Significance of Tet Nguyen Dan
For the Vietnamese people, Tet Nguyen Dan is not only the time that marks the transition between the old and new lunar year, but it also holds profound spiritual and cultural significance. In Eastern philosophy, this period is believed to represent the harmonious connection between heaven and earth, bringing humans closer to the divine.
In ancient times, Tet was an occasion for farmers to express their reverence to deities such as the gods of Earth, Rain, Thunder, Water, and the Sun, praying for favorable weather conditions and a bountiful harvest in the year ahead.
Furthermore, Tet is seen as a time of renewal, where people can look forward to a prosperous and peaceful new year while leaving behind the misfortunes of the past. This is why, during Tet, every household is busy cleaning, shopping, and decorating their homes, hoping to usher in a fresh start with beauty and abundance. Tet Nguyen Dan is also a time for family reunions. No matter what profession they have or where they are, everyone eagerly wishes to return home to celebrate Tết under the family roof. It is a time to gather together, light incense in remembrance of their ancestors, and express gratitude for the protection and blessings received throughout the past year.
"Going home for Tet" is more than just a physical journey—it’s a pilgrimage back to one’s roots, to the place where they were born and raised. This has become a beautiful, enduring tradition within Vietnamese culture. As a result, the days of Tet are truly joyful and filled with happiness for all.
