Vietnam new year is coming close! What to do if you are here?

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If you are planning to travel to Vietnam during the biggest traditional holiday here, which is Tet Holiday or also known as Lunar New Year, then what interesting things can you experience? This is a special occasion when Vietnamese people welcome a new year with their loved ones with activities imbued with cultural identity. Follow Ftrip’s suggestions in this article to enjoy the one-of-the-kind atmosphere of Vietnam new year

Immersed myself in colourful-decorated streets

Source: Vietnam.travel

As a country with a mixed ethnic identity of East Asia, especially China, visitors can see typical colors in Lunar New Year in general and Vietnam New Year in particular. That is the bright red color that symbolizes joy and luck, and the yellow color that symbolizes wealth and fullness.

Along the streets, especially in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, foreigners can easily admire the urban landscape decorated in these two main colors. In addition, there are indispensable objects with many shapes and vibrant colors that locals often use to decorate their homes. It is advised that you buy Tet holiday-style items as souvenirs of your trip during Vietnam New Year. It may be used as house decor or brought as a gift.

Explore a variety of seasonal flowers

Source: Dat Viet tour

The Tet holiday takes place in spring in Vietnam, so there are many beautiful and colorful flowers blooming. This also signals a beautiful beginning. For this reason, Vietnamese people always have the habit of going to the flower market to decorate for the new year. Almost every house will have 3-4 types of flowers or more. In addition to typical flowers in Vietnam New Year, such as peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and kumquat trees, markets of all sizes sell many other flowers that you can visit. These include chrysanthemums, orchids, roses, peonies, etc. Tourists who want to experience the Tet atmosphere at the flower market can ask locals or travel agents to know about some famous flower markets.

Pray for peace in the new year at temples and pagodas

Source: Vua Nem

The beginning of the new year is when each country wishes peace and luck for themselves, family, and friends in different ways. For the Vietnam new year, people will go to temples where Buddha and Gods are worshiped to pray for what they want in the coming year. Depending on each person’s goal, it could be praying for a good job, good health for the family, praying for passing exams, or praying for love, all of which are habits of belief in Vietnam. People believe that this can create hope and goals for themselves in the new year. This action is also passed down through generations so that descendants will always look forward to the beauty of Vietnamese national traditions.

Some of Ftrip’s tours also always include famous pagodas and temples in the city. Hence, visitors can visit and experience the religious culture of Vietnamese people. Therefore, check it out if you want to explore Vietnam new year during spring days.

Enjoy Vietnam New Year Cuisine

Family gathering is always an activity where each country in the world spends their precious time during new year to enjoy traditional dishes with loved ones. In Vietnam, this is also a must-have activity in every family with a banquet table full of special dishes during Tet. If you are traveling on the first days of the new year, don’t miss Vietnamese cuisine on lunar new year.

Source: Vnexpress

Vietnam’s three regions are represented by the various Tet feasts that are customary in each area. Not to be overlooked is the Northern family meals, which combine a refined and diverse assortment of ingredients and preparation. Being able to prepare standard dishes for the Tet holiday is a challenge for women in the family or who were not married previously, as it requires meticulous detail, skill, and dedication in each dish. Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake), Gio lua (pork sausage), Nem (spring roll), Ga Luoc (boiled chicken), Dua Hanh (pickled onion), and Canh Mang (dried bamboo shoot soup with chicken or pork ribs) are some staples of a Northern Tet’s meals. These gems of Tet cuisine have withstood the test of time and showcase the excellent culinary skills of the family’s mothers and wives.

Families in the Central and Southern regions will prepare simpler New Year’s meals since, other than Tet cake (which has a cylinder form and an inside texture like Chung cake), the other dishes will be comparable to daily lives. Those are Canh Kho Qua (pork stuffed bitter melon soup) and Thit Kho Hot Vit (Chinese Braised Pork with Duck Eggs). Making these traditional recipes also won’t take as much effort. Housewives can purchase some pre-made meals at the market or outside retailers to reduce cooking and preparation time as society grows more and more modernist.

Source: Vnexpress

For foreigners who want to enjoy the culinary flavors of Vietnam New Year, you can book in advance with a travel agency so they can reserve Tet meals for you to experience.

Share lucky money

Source: Cong dan & khuyen hoc

A fascinating custom in Vietnam New Year is the act of sending lucky red envelopes, specifically called “Li Xi”. An animal from the zodiac represents each Lunar New Year. Everybody will get a “distribution” of luck in a package of vibrant red envelopes (the design may vary) decorated with the year’s symbolic animal. When youngsters visit seniors in the family, they are traditionally given money inside these red envelopes for good fortune. In return, elders get money from their children and grandchildren, along with hopes and wishes for a long and happy life. Gradually, it has become a habit for everyone to meet each other during Tet, whether they are friends, colleagues or relatives. As a result, visitors might think about giving lucky money to locals during these events; in exchange, they will wish you a fortune on the occasion of the new year.

Last words

After all, you can enjoy an extraordinary and exciting New Year’s transition atmosphere in Vietnam with trips here. In addition to the typical features of Vietnam New Year culture that we introduce, there are still many other fascinating things waiting for you to discover. Then, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Vietnam immediately since the Lunar New Year is approaching!

Reviewed by

Diep Van

Phone: +84901166884

Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

Diep Van

Founder & Photography Guide

Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


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