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Hoi An Tet Festival: A Tapestry of Tradition and Joy

Tet Nguyen Dan, or simply Tet, is the most significant and widely celebrated festival in Vietnam, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year. In Hoi An, this ancient town imbued with a unique blend of Vietnamese and foreign influences, Tet takes on a special character, a vibrant tapestry woven with tradition and a touch of the exotic.

If you want to experience how Tet holiday in Hoi An, can reference Hoi An tours as your memorable trip.

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What is Tet Nguyen Dan?

Tet Nguyen Dan (also known as Tet Ca, Tet Ta, Tet Luan Lich, Tet Co Truyen or simply Tet) is the most important and meaningful Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam.

“Tet” is the word “tiet” in Chinese and “nguyen” means the beginning or the beginning, “dan” is early morning, so the correct pronunciation should be “Tiet Nguyen Dan”.

What is time for Tet Nguyen Dan?

According to the Lunar calendar, Tet Nguyen Dan is later than the Solar New Year (or Western New Year). Tet Nguyen Dan falls between these days of January 21st to February 19th. 

The annual Lunar New Year usually lasts from (December 23rd to 30th for welcome Tet and preparation. From the 1st to 7th is the main days for Tet activities: visit friends, welcome guest to the house, etc.

The origin of Lunar New Year

The origin of Lunar New Year is still a matter of debate.

Most information suggests that Lunar New Year originated from China and was introduced to Vietnam during the 1000 years of Chinese domination.

However, according to the legend of “Banh Chung Banh Day”, Vietnamese people have celebrated Tet since the time of King Hung, that is, before the 1000 years of Chinese domination.

The Meaning of Tet

For Vietnamese people, Tet is a chance to express many spiritual and cultural meanings, the time to look back whole year results of working, doing things, etc. 

According to Eastern beliefs, this is the time for people become closer to the gods when heaven and earth are in harmony

In the past, Tet Nguyen Dan was an occasion for farmers to express their respect to gods such as the Earth God, the Rain God, the Thunder God, the Water God, the Sun God,… and pray for a year of favorable weather and bountiful crops.

In addition, this is also considered a day of “renewal”, a day for everyone to hope for a new year of peace, prosperity, and success throughout the year and put aside all the bad luck of the old year. Therefore, on Tet, every family is busy cleaning, shopping, and decorating their house to make it beautiful.

This is also an opportunity for people to renew their emotions and spirit so that their relationships with relatives are closer, their spirits are more comfortable and joyful.

During Tet, families often gather to wish each other a happy new year, burn incense together to remember their grandparents and ancestors, and thank them for their blessings throughout the past year.

What do people usually do during Tet?

Traditional customs during the traditional Tet holiday of Vietnamese people. Below are the customs during Tet holiday, a good tradition of Vietnamese people.

1. Worshiping Ong Cong, Ong Tao (the god of kitchen)
2. Wrapping Chung cake.
3. Decoration house with full of flowers during Tet.
4. Going to Tet market (shopping for Tet, visiting the flower market)
5. Displaying the five-fruit tray on the ancestral altar
6. Cleaning the house.
7. Visiting ancestors’ graves.
8. Praying ceremony the end of the year. (tất niên)
9. Celebrating New Year’s Eve together. (welcome ceremony praying)
10. Visiting friends during the 5 days of Tet (from the 1st to the 5th of the first month of the year)

Hopefully through the above article, you have learned more about the Lunar New Year of Hoi An. Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous new year!