Vietnamese Tet Traditions: A Journey into Cultural Origins

Delve into the heart of Vietnamese culture with our exploration of TetHoliday, the grandest traditional festival in Vietnam. Despite its significance, the origins and meanings of Tet remain shrouded in mystery for many. In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the roots and significance of Vietnam Cultural Origins, providing you with valuable insights into the traditional Tet customs that hold a special place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

1. What is the Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year, commonly known as Tet in Vietnam, is a vibrant and culturally significant festival celebrated across Asia. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, feasting, and honoring ancestors. The festival typically involves cleaning and decorating homes, traditional performances, and the exchange of gifts. Tet is known for its distinctive customs, such as giving lucky money in red envelopes, displaying blooming flowers, and enjoying special festive foods. It embodies cultural values of filial piety, gratitude, and hope for a prosperous year ahead. Families gather to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with joyous celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere that reflects the rich traditions and deep cultural roots of the Lunar New Year.

2. How is the time of Lunar New Year calculated?

The time of Lunar New Year, or Tet, is determined by the lunar calendar, a traditional method of timekeeping. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based, the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon. Tet falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically between late January and mid-February. The calculation involves the moon's orbit and its phases, with adjustments to synchronize with the solar year. It reflects the ancient agricultural traditions tied to lunar cycles. The lunar calendar's unique approach to timekeeping adds a cultural dimension to Tet, shaping the timing of festivities and highlighting the historical and agricultural connections embedded in the celebration.

3. The Origin of Lunar New Year

The origin of the Lunar New Year, or Tet, is a topic of ongoing debate, but most information suggests that the celebration has Chinese roots and was introduced to Vietnam during the thousand years of northern domination. However, according to the legend of "Banh Chung Banh Day," the Vietnamese people have been celebrating Tet since the time of the Hung Kings, predating the northern domination by a thousand years.

Evidence indicates that Tet in Vietnam has a long history, even before the reign of the Three Immortal Kings. Confucius wrote in the Classic of Rites: "I do not know what Tet is; I hear it is the name of a great festival of the Man people, where they dance wildly, drink, and revel on those days." The Giao Chi Chronicles also mention, "The people of Giao Quan usually gather in communal festivals, dancing, singing, and feasting for many days to celebrate the new planting season. This celebration involves not only farmers but also the families of officials and lords." Thus, it can be argued that the origin of Tet lies in Vietnam.

While Tet in both Vietnam and China has influenced each other, each country maintains unique characteristics in its celebration.

4. The meaning of Tet

Tet and the Harmony of Nature

Tet, the Lunar New Year, symbolizes the harmonious relationship between heaven, earth, and humanity, reflecting the cyclical transition of seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—dictated by the cosmic order. This celebration holds special significance in a society where the economy still relies heavily on agriculture.

Honoring Deities and Nature

Rooted in the folk belief of "Gratitude for Rain and Sunshine as Required," Tet is a time for farmers to remember and express gratitude to deities associated with the prosperity and loss of the harvest season, such as the Earth God, Rain God, Thunder God, Water God, Sun God, and even the animals and plants that sustain them.

Homecoming and Tradition

Regardless of occupation or location, Vietnamese people eagerly anticipate returning home for the three days of Tet, seeking warmth under the family roof. It is a time for ancestral worship, visiting ancestral homes, gravesites, wells, and the familiar corners of the family yard—a reconnection with cherished childhood memories.

Expanding Social Bonds

In Vietnamese culture, Tet marks a day of unity. Extended family ties and neighborhood relationships are strengthened. It establishes a shared moral code for society, emphasizing familial bonds, teacher-student relationships, patient-doctor relationships, friendship, and matchmaking.

Ceremonial Offerings

Tet is also a day of reunion with departed loved ones. From the dinner on the 30th night, families light incense, inviting the spirits of ancestors and deceased relatives to share a festive meal with their descendants—a tradition known as "cung gia tiên." The family altar, a crucial element, showcases meticulous arrangements of five fruits and selected dishes in remembrance.

Aesthetic and Spiritual Renewal

Tet serves as a time for both physical and spiritual rejuvenation. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, whitewashed, and adorned with candles and incense. The floors are swept, the altar polished, and new clothes are worn. This renewal extends to relationships, with disputes resolved, debts settled, and an emphasis on goodwill and positive interactions.

Communal Joy and Hope

Tet is considered the birthday of everyone. People celebrate by aging collectively, uttering greetings of mutual joy for another year. Elders extend blessings to the young for growth and obedience while they wish the elderly health and longevity. It is a period when laughter and conversation flourish, burdens are set aside, and people embrace each other to usher in a prosperous new year.

Harbinger of Optimism

Vietnamese people believe that a joyful start to the lunar year predicts good fortune ahead. If the previous year was fortunate, the good luck is expected to continue into the new year. Tet epitomizes optimism and hope, signifying the beginning of a new annual cycle. As life resumes after Tet, people carry the warmth and familial affection gained during the festive days, guiding them toward new joys and accomplishments in the future.

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