Tet holiday in Vietnam

Lunar New Year or Tết Nguyên Đán, is Vietnam’s most significant celebration. Across Vietnam, during this time families reunite and honor their ancestors, while praying for luck, prosperity, and health in the new year. The public holiday may only run for one week, but in reality, Tết celebrations last much longer. If you’re visiting Vietnam around Lunar New Year, here’s what you can expect. Tết marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the beginning of spring in the North of Vietnam. The holiday traces back to the early days of Vietnamese settlements in the Red River Delta when Tết meant a new cycle of wet rice cultivation. Today, the meaning of the holiday runs much deeper than its farming roots: Vietnamese culture emphasizes the importance of a fortuitous fresh start, surrounded by family and loved ones.