Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) is the biggest and most important festival in Vietnamese culture. Tet marks the transition between the old year and new year, and between the cycle of heaven, earth, and the life of all things. Tet is also an occasion for us to show respect to ancestors and parents and reunite with family. In this article, we will discuss key details about Tet 2024, including when it falls, how long it lasts, the zodiac animal sign, and more.
When is Tet 2024?
Vietnamese New Year 2024, also called Tet 2024, falls on February 10th, 2024 in the Gregorian calendar and January 1st, 2024 in the Lunar calendar. Tet often changes year by year due to the leap month every 3 years in the Lunar Calendar. However, it ranges from late January and early February in the Solar calendar.
Tet is shortened from Tet Nguyen Dan which means the celebration of the first morning of the year. Tet 2024 is the biggest festival in Vietnamese culture in 2024. Tet marks not only the transition between the old and new year, but also an occasion for us to pay respects to ancestors and reunite with family.
How long does it last?
Foreigners may be curious about when Tet starts and how long it lasts when Vietnamese begin talking about and preparing for it weeks or months in advance. Vietnamese New Year is a public holiday with around 7 official days off, yet the festival actually lasts for over 20 days.
Tet 2024 lasts from 23rd December 2023 until 15th January 2024 in the Lunar Calendar. It includes a series of celebrations and activities with different meanings in the spiritual life of Vietnamese. We can divide Tet 2024 into 3 main periods:
- Before New Year’s Eve (23/12-30/12)
- New Year’s Eve (30/12)
- The New Year (1/1-15/1)
Lunar Dates, Solar Dates, and Activities
| Lunar Dates | Solar Dates | Activities | Meanings |
| – | – | – | – |
| 23 December | 2 February | Kitchen God Day – Clean altar, set offerings, release carp | Also known as Tet Ong Cong – Ong Tao – the day of the kitchen gods who protect and govern all works of the family. This day is to say farewell to these gods to come back to heaven for the annual report. Cleaning the altar, setting new offerings, and releasing carp are ritual ceremonies to help the gods on their way back to heaven. |
| 24 – 30 December | 3 – 9 February | Wrap Chung Cake – Tet Cake | Chung Cake or Tet Cake is traditional and unmissable food on Tet’s feasts. Family members will gather to wrap Chung /Tet Cake (normally from 26 – 28th Lunar December) to place on ancestors’ altar and used to feast guests on New Year meals. |
| 24 – 30 December | 3 – 9 February | Clean and decorate house | A neat space and intimate atmosphere are very important to every Vietnamese home on Tet. Cleaning and decorating the house is believed to wipe out all bad luck and old things and get ready to welcome good luck and happiness in the new year. |
| 24 – 30 December | 3 – 9 February | Prepare five-fruit trays | The five-fruit tray represents abundance and fullness. Preparing a five-fruit tray for ancestors not only shows respect but also prays for fullness and happiness in the new year. |
| 24 – 30 December | 3 – 9 February | Visit ancestor’s grave | Vietnamese often clean and burn incense at ancestor’s graves before Tet to send thankfulness for the blessing in the old year and pray for peace, health, and happiness in the new year. This is also to show remembrance of ancestors and prior generations. |
| 30 December | 9 February | Give offerings to ancestor’s altar | Preparing a hearty food tray with other offerings on the ancestor’s altar is a vital ritual ceremony before the new year comes. It is to end the old year, pray for good luck in the new year, and invite ancestors to return home for Tet. |
| 30 December | 9 February | Xông đất – first visit in the house | The first person visiting the house having a good spirit is believed to bring good luck to the host family for the whole year. The chosen person must have good morality, education, or success and match the astrology of the owner’s house. |
| 1 January | 10 February | Visit relatives on father’s side | According to tradition, we spend the first day of the year visiting our father’s side first. After greeting members of our small family, we come to relatives’ houses together to send our best new year wishes to them. Family members often give lucky money to the elderly to wish them longevity and children to wish them health and good studying. |
| 2 January | 11 February | Visit relatives on mother’s side | After father’s side, family members gather to visit mother’s relatives on the second day of the new year. |
| 3 January | 12 February | Visit teachers | We highly appreciate the hard work of teachers and take the third day of the year to show them respect. On the 3rd of January, students come to teachers’ houses with gifts or flowers and give best wishes to them. |
| 4 – 5 January | 13-14 February | Visit other relatives, neighborhoods, friends | During the rest of the holiday, we can visit friends, neighborhoods, and further relatives to stay connected. We often ask about the previous year and intentions for the future. Families may go to the pagoda to pray for luck or simply rest at home to prepare to return to work. |
| 15 January | 24 February | Tet Nguyen Tieu – First full moon | Also known as Ram Thang Gieng – the very first full moon of the year. We believe this day is Buddha’s Day with luck gathered for the new year. We go to pagodas and temples to give offerings and pray for happiness, peace, success, and luck for the whole family. |
What is the animal sign of Vietnamese New Year 2024?
2024 is the Year of the Dragon. In traditional Asian culture, each year is associated with an animal in the 12 zodiacs in a certain order: rat, ox, tiger, cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
Since 2023 is the Year of the Cat, Vietnamese New Year 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon. The dragon is one of the most powerful and auspicious animal symbols, showing unparalleled talent, strength, nobleness, luck, and success.
So 2024 is expected to be a very good year for those born in dragon years like 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, etc. 2024 is also considered a favorable year to give birth since babies born in dragon years are believed to have a kind, enthusiastic personality with high gratitude.
How Long is the Tet 2024 Holiday?
Tet is the longest public holiday in Vietnam. Depending on the work schedule, Vietnamese will have a 5 to 9-day Tet holiday.
The Tet 2024 holiday is supposed to last from February 8th (29th Lunar December) to February 16th (5th Lunar January). This schedule is subject to change according to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs decision closer to the festival.
Although this is the official holiday for officials, employees, and students, some private companies, enterprises, or organizations in Vietnam may offer their own holiday schedules.
When is Vietnamese Tet Over the Next 10 Years?
Although the Vietnamese New Year date changes annually, the timeframe and traditions are similar. Tet in Vietnam ranges from late January to early February each year.
Here are the upcoming Lunar New Year dates for the next decade:
- 2024: February 10
- 2025: January 29
- 2026: February 15
- 2027: February 3
- 2028: January 22
- 2029: February 10
- 2030: January 30
- 2031: February 18
- 2032: February 7
- 2033: January 27
Conclusion
Tet is the most important festival for Vietnamese culture and traditions. In 2024, Tet falls on February 10th and is the Year of the Dragon. Understanding key details about when Tet occurs, what activities take place, and the meaning behind them can help us appreciate this special holiday for Vietnamese families and communities. We hope this overview gives helpful insight into celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
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