What not to do during Tet?

What are the superstitions about Tet?

Things you should not do during Tet

Don't fight during the Tet holiday, especially around midnight on New Year's Eve. Arguments could attract bad spirits into the house. Don't sweep or take out the trash on the first day. This symbolizes the literal sweeping out of good luck and fortune.

Can I shower the day before Tet?

The last night before the lunar new year

By 19:00, all children and adults in the family must finish showering; but this is not a normal way of showering like every other day of the year. In the lead up to Tet, families have purified their homes, paid off any outstanding debts and bid farewell to the Kitchen God.

What color to wear for a Tet?

Red is the most popular color for Tet as it symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Yellow and gold are also excellent choices, representing wealth and prosperity. Floral patterns are another favorite for Tet, as they symbolize renewal and growth.

Is anything open during Tet?

Some restaurants and businesses are open, mostly the bigger touristy restaurants. Some price increases though, reduced menus, ect.

What not to do at Tet in Viet Nam

What people avoid during Tet?

2. Avoid Negative Words or Arguments. During Tet, using bad language, arguing, or speaking negatively is a big no-no. Vietnamese people believe that bad words or fights during the first days of the year will attract bad luck or negativity throughout the year.

What should and shouldn't do at Tet?

Try to avoid negative topics including accidents, deaths or funerals on Tet holidays. Put on a smile for at least the first 3 days of the year, even if somebody slaps you in the face, and on the safe side, do as the Brits do – talking about the weather!

What color is considered lucky during Tet?

Red and yellow are popular colors during the Lunar New Year festivities because they are said to bring luck and happiness. Red is often seen on brides throughout the year for the same reasons.

What is the main flower for Tet holiday?

The vibrant yellow color of apricot blossoms is regarded as a color of wealth and affluence. During Tet, people display apricot flowers to wish for a new year full of wealth and luck. Longevity and prosperity: Apricot blossoms bloom in spring, right during Tet, representing a new beginning and eternity.

What is the lucky color in Vietnam?

It comes in a variety of colors, each carrying its own meaning- white symbolizes purity, red represents luck and happiness, while blue and violet reflect gentleness and nostalgia. The Ao dai is worn on special occasions such as weddings, Tet (Lunar New Year), national celebrations, and school ceremonies.

What to say during Tet?

Should I shower the night before or the day of?

You remove all the sweat and ick from the night before

Even if you aren't prone to night sweats, you're still getting sweaty and shedding skin cells while you sleep. By showering in the morning, you're completely fresh for the day ahead—which can be especially important if you're prone to developing body odor.

When to cung for Tet?

Literally means “give offerings to the Kitchen God”, Cung Ong Tao is a special custom that happens on the 23rd of December of lunar calendar. On this day each family will set up an altar in an open-air area to worship “Ong Tao”. The altar will be displayed with many kinds of savory food, fruits and sweets.

What is the lucky money in Tet?

First lucky money, also known as “mừng tuổi,” is a traditional Vietnamese cultural practice every Tet and springtime. This activity usually takes place in the first days of the new year, when people give each other bright red lucky money envelopes, symbolizing good luck, wealth, and prosperity.

Is it bad to wear black on Tet?

Avoid black and white. What you wear also holds a lot of beliefs and customs. Red and yellow is fortuitous and black and white is representative of funerals so should be avoided.

What is the yellow flower during Tet?

In Vietnamese culture, yellow apricot blossoms hold a revered place, especially during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. These yellow apricot flowers represent luck, prosperity, longevity, happiness, and wealth.

What brings luck on Tet?

Wearing red clothing during Tết is common as it is associated with good luck. Since the Vietnamese believe that the first visitor who a family receives in the year determines their fortune for the entire year, people never enter any house on the first day without being invited first.

Is it hard to travel in Vietnam during Tet?

Getting Around. Travelling in Vietnam During Tết can be costly, frustrating and significantly more expensive than the rest of the year. Locals are desperate to get back to their families to avoid An Tết (eating Tết) alone. This means planes, trains, buses and airport transfers can be booked out weeks in advance.

What are the unlucky colors for Tet?

Avoid Wearing Black or White Clothes

Black and white colors are often associated with mourning, so people avoid wearing these colors during Tet. Instead, bright colors like red, yellow, and green are favored as they symbolize happiness and prosperity.

What to bring to a Tet celebration?

Can you drink on Tet?

Tet and drinking

You see, in my experience, the biggest challenge with Tet celebrations revolves around drinking. In other words, you will likely be invited to drink with the males of the home at some point, and this often involves drinking games.

What is the best time to visit during Tet?

Travelling during Tet is usually best in the dry season, which runs from November to April. The north, including Hanoi and Halong Bay, tends to be cooler, while the south, including Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, enjoys warm tropical weather.

What are the 3 days of Tet?

The first three days of Tet are dedicated to visiting family members and teachers. The first day is reserved for the father's side, the second for the mother's side, and the third for teachers, reflecting deep respect in Vietnamese culture.

What does Tet symbolize?

Taking place typically in late January or early February, Tet is not merely a date on the calendar but a time of profound significance for those who celebrate. It is a time of reunion that symbolizes hope, good fortune, and the promise of new beginnings for all who partake in its festivities.