Ring in the New Year Vietnamese Style: Top Things to Do in 2024

As the clock ticks down to the much-anticipated arrival of 2024, the vibrant streets of Vietnam are gearing up for a spectacular celebration. It’s that time of the year when the entire country comes alive with the spirit of renewal, joy, and tradition. In this blog post, I’m thrilled to guide you through the enchanting realm of Vietnamese New Year celebrations and share the top things to do in 2024.

When is the Vietnamese New Year (Tet Holiday)? How long does it last?

Vietnamese Lunar New Year is also called Tet Nguyen Dan or Lunar New Year, calculated according to the lunar calendar, so its date changes each year. Usually falling between late January and mid-February, Tet marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes renewal, prosperity, and the start of a new lunar year. Regarding the time to celebrate Tet, the holiday usually lasts for three days.

However, the festive atmosphere often lasts longer than this period, with preparations and festivities starting in the days before the official start of the lunar new year. During this time, many businesses, including restaurants and stores, may temporarily close as families focus on traditions and celebrations associated with Tet.

Vietnamese Tet 2024, also known as Lunar New Year, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 10. This auspicious occasion will usher in the Year of the Dragon. As a national holiday, Vietnamese people will have a well-deserved 7 days off starting on Thursday, February 8 (December 29 of the lunar calendar) and ending on Wednesday, February 14 (January 5 of the lunar calendar) in the year 2024.

So what are exactly things to do on Tet Holiday in 2024?

5 activities to enjoy during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Countdown Festivities:

Will there be many different Tet holidays according to the beliefs of the Vietnamese young generation? Is it true that Tet is not only understood in the traditional sense, as a time for family gathering and welcoming the new year?

Beyond the conventional sense, Tet is no longer confined to its traditional roots. For many young Vietnamese, it has become a canvas upon which they paint various expressions of celebration and meaning. As the year comes to an end, Vietnam buzzes with excitement, ready to embrace the new year. Cities and towns adorn themselves with colorful lights and decorations, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the festivities. There is a strong sense of togetherness as both locals and visitors join hands to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter.

Noteworthy countdown events and parties take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, as well as in local communities and riverside cities like Can Tho.

Watch The Fireworks:

If you want to be a part of the Lunar New Year festivities in Vietnam in 2024, make sure to catch the spectacular fireworks display that begins precisely at midnight.

Prime Locations for Watching Fireworks in Vietnam:

Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline, particularly District 1, offers a breathtaking backdrop for fireworks displays.
In Hanoi, iconic landmarks like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are illuminated for a unique experience.
Da Nang’s picturesque beaches, such as My Khe Beach, draw crowds for mesmerizing fireworks against the sea.
Cities along rivers, like Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, provide a tranquil yet festive atmosphere for watching fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Sending New Year cards and red envelopes with money (Red Packets):

After New Year’s Eve, there will be exciting activities that you cannot miss. First and foremost, it is impossible not to mention the traditional Vietnamese activity of visiting relatives to wish them a Happy New Year.

On New Year’s Eve or the first day of the lunar year, families typically come together to light incense for their ancestors and celebrate the new year with a feast. It is also a time when children express their wishes to their grandparents and parents, and receive lucky money. Red envelopes containing small amounts of money symbolize the adults’ hopes for luck, good health, and success in work or study for the children.

Visiting the Buddhist temple:

Vietnamese people believe that visiting pagodas or temples is not only to make wishes, but also a moment for people to immerse themselves in the spiritual space, leaving behind the hardships of life. Each person goes to the temples for different purposes, some pray for wealth, luck, and love; others pray for peace and health for themselves and their families.

This is the reason why pagodas and temples are extremely crowded during Tet.

Prepare traditional dishes:

Celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet, is incomplete without savoring an array of traditional dishes that hold cultural significance and carry the spirit of the season.

Highlight Traditional New Year Dishes and Their Significance:

Banh Chung (Sticky Rice Cake):
- Significance: Symbolizing the Earth, Banh Chung is a square sticky rice cake filled with mung beans and pork. Its enduring presence on the Tet table represents prosperity and the interconnectedness of family.
Gio Lua (Vietnamese Pork Sausage):
- Significance: Gio Lua, a smooth Vietnamese pork sausage, embodies the wish for a smooth, worry-free year. Its circular shape symbolizes unity and the cyclical nature of life.
Thit Heo Quay (Crispy Roast Pork):
- Significance: The crackling skin of Thit Heo Quay represents the breaking away of negativity, while the succulent meat beneath signifies the promise of a bountiful year.
Xoi Gac (Red Sticky Rice):
- Significance: Xoi Gac, made with the vibrant red pulp of Gac fruit, symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Its auspicious color reflects the hope for a bright and fruitful future.
Mut Tet (Candied Fruits):
- Significance: Mut Tet, or candied fruits, are a sweet indulgence representing the sweetness and harmony expected in the coming year. Each fruit carries its own symbolism, contributing to the overall joyous atmosphere.

Conclusion

It can be said that the more we learn about the good customs of the Vietnamese people through celebrating traditional Tet, the more we can see the high human values and philosophies that previous generations of Vietnamese people have created, nurtured, preserved, and passed down through generations.

In the joyful atmosphere of Tet, I would like to send my wishes of abundant health, peace, prosperity, and everything going according to your wishes to all readers. I hope you will have meaningful moments during the upcoming Lunar New Year in Vietnam.