Vietnamese New Year 2013

Like other parts of the world Vietnam is also very famous for observing new year. Vietnamese New Year 2013 is one of the much awaited celebrations and it brings lots of traditions with it.

From decorations, special cuisines and customs - all are unique about this beautiful festival. Explore the celebration ways and rituals associated with ‘Tet' Vietnamese New Year 2013.

Vietnamese New Year - Tet

The Vietnamese New Year is known as, ‘Tet Nguyen Dan'. The short form is called ‘Tet'. The Vietnam word means the first morning of the first day if the new beginning. The celebrations of Vietnamese New Year last for seven days. The traditions of Vietnamese New Year match with the Lunar New Year customs. This is because the New Year of Vietnamese is based on the lunar calendar.

Tet is described as, three Vietnamese regions - Tat Nien (Before New years Eve), Giao Thua (New Years Eve) and Tan Nien (The New Year time). This is related to the period of new year which begins long before the arrival of it; the time of new year and the eve of new year.

It is time of reunion and family gatherings. Most of the people return to their families during Tet. It is considered auspicious to visit the graves of ancestors to take blessings for the coming year. Vietnam new year is declared holiday in most of the regions and cities. This is the reason people plan family vacations, holiday tours and dinner to reunite with their loved ones.

Long before the actual celebrations people start preparing for the new beginning. Houses are decorated, new clothes are bought, home cleaning is done, people start waiting for their loved ones to come home and there are many more activities.

Vietnamese New Year feast

Special feast is prepared by the Vietnamese on the New Years eve which is enjoyed with all the family members. Here is the list of the famous cuisines prepared during the festival time -


  • Banh chung and banh day - Sticky rice with meat or bean fillings wrapped in Dong leaves (banana leaves). This is rectangular and circular in shape Preparation is time-consuming, and can take days to cook.
  • Hat Dua - Roasted watermelon seeds
  • Dua Hanh - Pickled onion and pickled cabbage.
  • Cu Kieu - Pickled small leeks.
  • Mut - These dried candied fruits are rarely eaten at any time.
  • Cau Dua Du Xoai - In southern Vietnam, popular fruits used for offerings at the family altar in fruit arranging art are the custard-apple/sugar-apple/soursop, coconut, papaya and mango
  • Thit Kho Nuoc Dua - It means "Meat Stewed in Coconut Juice", it is a traditional dish of fatty pork stomach and medium boiled eggs stewed in a broth-like sauce made overnight of young coconut juice and nuoc mam. It is often eaten with pickled bean sprouts and chives, and white rice.

Wishing you all happy and fun new year! Hope you enjoyed the read on Vietnamese New year 2013 and gathered some interesting information on it.

Comments