Tết - Vietnamese

Hello! I am Tết, the Vietnamese New Year. My full name is Tết Nguyên Đán, which is a beautiful way of saying "Feast of the First Morning of the First Day." For Vietnamese people, I am the most special and important celebration of the entire year. I am a time for new beginnings. My arrival marks the end of winter and the start of spring, when flowers begin to bloom and the world feels fresh and new. I don't arrive on the same day every year because my date follows the cycles of the moon. You can expect to see me in late January or early February, bringing with me joy and hope for a wonderful year ahead.

People prepare for my arrival for many weeks. It’s a very busy and exciting time! Families work together to clean their homes from the very top to the very bottom. They sweep and scrub, making sure everything is sparkling. This isn't just regular cleaning; it's a special tradition to sweep away any bad luck or sad things from the old year and make room for good luck to come in. Once the homes are clean, they are filled with beautiful decorations. In the southern part of Vietnam, homes are brightened with yellow apricot blossoms. In the north, you will see lovely pink peach blossoms. Many people also buy new clothes to wear during my celebration, and the color red is very popular because it is seen as a lucky and happy color.

Food is a very important part of my celebration. Families spend days cooking wonderful dishes to share. One of the most famous foods you will see is a special sticky rice cake called Bánh chưng. It is wrapped in green leaves and tied into a perfect square shape. An old story says that this square cake represents the Earth, and it is a way to show thanks for the food that the land provides. Another sweet treat that people enjoy is called Mứt, which are colorful candied fruits like coconut, ginger, or lotus seeds. The best part of all is when families gather around a big table for happy meals, sharing all of this delicious food and enjoying their time together.

During my visit, people follow wonderful traditions that are meant to bring good luck for the whole year. One of the most exciting traditions for children is receiving lì xì. These are small, bright red envelopes given to them by their parents, grandparents, and other older relatives. Inside each envelope is lucky money, which is a gift for the new year. It is a wish for the children to be healthy, happy, and do well in school. Families also spend a lot of time visiting one another. They go to their relatives’ and friends’ homes to share good wishes for a new year filled with health and success. There is also a belief that the very first person who walks into a home on New Year's Day is very important. This person is thought to bring the family their fortune for the entire year!

Today, I am celebrated by Vietnamese people all around the world. No matter where they live, they carry my traditions with them. For many families, my arrival is the most important time to be together. People might travel very long distances, across countries or even oceans, just to be with their loved ones during this special time. In many cities, my celebrations are big and exciting. You might see amazing lion dances, where performers in colorful costumes move to the beat of drums. You might also hear the loud pop of firecrackers, which are thought to scare away any bad spirits and welcome a fresh, happy start. My traditions of honoring family, sharing wonderful food, and hoping for a good year continue to be treasured.