When January fades into February, Vietnam begins to hum with excitement. Lanterns glow in red and gold, the scent of sticky rice and kumquat fills the air, and families hurry home no matter how far they’ve traveled. Lunar New Year in Vietnam , known as Tết Nguyên Đán , isn’t just a public holiday. It’s a sacred moment of renewal, gratitude, and joy that touches every heart, from the busy alleys of Hanoi to the tranquil fields of the Mekong Delta.

1. The Spirit of Tết: A Celebration of Renewal

Tết marks the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. Falling between late January and mid-February (depending on the lunar calendar), it signals the arrival of spring and a new year of hope. Unlike Western New Year’s Eve, which lasts just one night, Lunar New Year in Vietnam stretches across several days , sometimes even weeks , of preparation, celebration, and reflection.

As the year draws to a close, people rush to clean their homes, a symbolic act of sweeping away bad luck and welcoming prosperity. Streets overflow with the colors of hoa đào (peach blossoms) in the north and hoa mai (apricot flowers) in the south , each believed to bring blessings and happiness. The air is thick with the excitement of travel; millions of Vietnamese journey home to reunite with loved ones.

It’s also a deeply spiritual time. Families offer prayers at ancestral altars, burn incense, and present food offerings to express gratitude for protection in the past year. Every household glows with warmth and togetherness, reflecting a key value in Vietnamese life , family above all.

2. Traditional Customs That Shape the Festivities

Once New Year’s Eve arrives, the atmosphere turns magical. Fireworks burst over city skies, families gather around steaming pots of bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake filled with pork and mung beans), and laughter echoes long into the night.

On the morning of the first day of the lunar year, Vietnamese people follow a beautiful custom known as xông đất , the first visitor of the year is believed to determine a family’s luck. To ensure a good start, families often invite someone cheerful and successful to enter first.

Children, dressed in new clothes of red and gold, eagerly wait for lì xì , lucky money given in small red envelopes. The gesture is more than a gift; it symbolizes wishes for good health, success, and growth in the coming year.

Across cities and villages, festivals bring communities together. Traditional games, lion dances, calligraphy booths, and folk music performances light up every corner. In the countryside, locals visit temples to pray for good harvests, while in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, people stroll through flower markets, taking in the colors and scents of spring.

3. Food: The Heart of Every Vietnamese New Year

It’s impossible to talk about Lunar New Year in Vietnam without mentioning food. For Vietnamese families, preparing the New Year’s feast is both an art and a sacred ritual. Every dish tells a story , one of gratitude, hope, and heritage.

In the north, the iconic bánh chưng represents the Earth, wrapped in green leaves and tied neatly in squares. In the south, families make bánh tét, a cylindrical variation that symbolizes unity and continuity. These cakes are often made together by generations of family members, an overnight process filled with stories and laughter around the fire.

Other traditional dishes include pickled vegetables (dưa món), boiled chicken, and gio lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage). Together, they form a harmonious balance of flavors , savory, sweet, sour, and spicy , representing the balance Vietnamese people seek in life.

During the Tết days, guests visiting each other’s homes are greeted with mứt Tết , candied fruits and nuts , along with tea or rice wine. This act of hospitality reflects the Vietnamese value of generosity and connection.

And if you’re traveling in Vietnam during this time, you’ll quickly notice how food becomes a language of love. Even strangers may invite you to join their family meals, a gesture that captures the warmth and openness of Vietnamese culture.

If you want to experience the heart of Tết like a true local, consider booking a Local Buddy experience with Tubudd. You’ll get to join a Vietnamese family for their New Year’s preparations, taste homemade dishes, and understand the deeper meanings behind every custom , something no travel guide can truly capture.

4. Modern Tết: Where Tradition Meets the New Generation

Though traditions remain deeply rooted, the way people celebrate Lunar New Year in Vietnam is evolving. Younger generations blend old customs with new lifestyles , instead of traveling for days by motorbike, many book flights home; fireworks are often replaced by dazzling light shows; and red envelopes are now sometimes sent digitally.

Yet, at its core, Tết still holds the same spirit , the reunion of family, respect for ancestors, and a belief in starting anew. Modern cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City glow with a fusion of old and new: pagodas filled with incense, coffee shops buzzing with laughter, and families taking photos beside lantern-lit streets.

Traveling during this time offers an incredible insight into Vietnamese life. While some businesses close for a few days, the festive atmosphere is everywhere , from local parades to the warm smiles of people wishing each other “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!” (Happy New Year!).

If you’re planning to visit Vietnam around late January or early February, it’s one of the most memorable experiences you can have. Just remember to plan ahead: transportation gets busy, and many hotels fill up quickly as locals travel to see family.

5. Why You Should Experience Lunar New Year in Vietnam

To witness Lunar New Year in Vietnam is to see the country at its most heartfelt and vibrant. It’s a rare time when every home, street, and village beats in the same joyful rhythm. You’ll feel the tenderness of family love, the depth of cultural pride, and the beauty of traditions that have endured for generations.

Beyond the festivities, Tết is also a lesson in mindfulness , about slowing down, reflecting on what truly matters, and welcoming the future with optimism. For travelers, it’s not just a holiday; it’s an emotional journey that reveals the soul of Vietnam.

So, if your travels align with this special time, embrace it. Taste the food, join a local family, visit the temples, and let the rhythm of Tết carry you into a new year of your own.

Want to celebrate Tết like a local? Join Tubudd’s Local Tours or book a Local Buddy to experience Vietnam’s most meaningful holiday up close , from cooking traditional dishes to joining heartfelt family gatherings that define the true essence of Vietnamese New Year.