Vietnam New Year 2025: Celebrate Tet in Vietnam

Vietnam New Year 2025 (Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet) is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It marks the start of the Lunar New Year. In 2025, Tet will be celebrated from January 25th to February 2nd. The holiday lasts 7 to 9 days, making it the longest festival of the year.

Planning Your Trip During Vietnam New Year 2025

If you plan to visit Vietnam during Vietnam New Year 2025, be prepared. This is a busy time. Many services, including visa processing, may be affected. The Vietnam Immigration Department is offering eVisas for 1-month and 3-month stays to all nationalities. Apply early, as visa processing can take longer, and prices tend to rise during Tet.

How Tet Is Calculated

Tet dates change every year. This is because Tet follows the Lunar Calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar. Usually, the Lunar New Year falls between late January and early February. The exact date shifts each year because of a leap month in the Lunar Calendar.

For example, Vietnam New Year 2025 will be celebrated from January 25th to February 2nd. Here are the Tet dates for recent and upcoming years:

• 2011: February 3rd
• 2012: January 23rd
• 2013: February 10th
• 2014: January 31st
• 2015: February 19th
• 2025: January 25th to February 2nd

If you’re planning to visit, apply for your Vietnamese visa as soon as possible. Embassy offices may close during Tet.

What is Tet (Vietnam New Year)?

Tet is Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. It’s a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and celebrate the new year. Historically, Tet also marked a break between the harvest and planting seasons.

Tet is similar to Christmas and New Year’s. Families come together for big meals, decorate with Tet trees, and enjoy Tet foods to celebrate the new year.

How is Tet Celebrated?

Preparations for Tet begin well in advance. Families clean their homes to remove bad luck, decorate with kumquat trees and peach blossoms, and prepare offerings for the ancestral altar. New clothes are bought, debts are paid off, and any disputes are settled.

During Tet, the colors red and yellow are everywhere. These colors are believed to bring good luck. People believe their actions on Tet’s first day will determine their fate for the rest of the year. This is why many people are extra kind and smile a lot during the holiday. It’s also a time for exchanging gifts and giving children lucky money in red envelopes.

Tet is not just one day. It’s a multi-day celebration. Here’s a quick look at the key events:

• Ông Công, Ông Táo Day (Kitchen God Day) – December 23rd
• Wrapping Banh Chung (Tet cakes) – December 26th to 28th
• Family Reunion & Tất Niên (Year-End Dinner) – December 30th
• Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve) – Prayers and the first family visit of the new year
• The First Three Days of Tet – First day with the paternal side, second day with the maternal side, third day with teachers or elders
• Visiting Relatives and Friends – From January 3rd to 5th
• Hóa Vàng (Burning Offerings) – January 4th
• Reopening Businesses – Owners choose a good date based on their age
• Tết Nguyên Tiêu (Lantern Festival) – January 15th

Traditional Foods for Vietnam New Year

Tet foods are a key part of the celebration. Here are some common dishes:

• Bánh Chưng / Bánh Tét (Rice cakes)
• Pickled onions
• Boiled chicken
• Mung bean pudding
• Giò Chả (Vietnamese sausage)
• Xôi Gấc (Red sticky rice)
• Roasted nuts and seeds

These dishes are meant to bring prosperity, health, and happiness in the new year.

Traveling to Vietnam During Tet

Tet is a special time for all Vietnamese. It’s when people return to their hometowns, reunite with family, and relax after a busy year. If you’re in Vietnam during Tet, you’ll experience a festive atmosphere. However, keep in mind that many businesses and government offices may close during this time.

Despite the closures, Tet is a great chance to see Vietnam’s culture in full celebration. It’s a time filled with joy, tradition, and community spirit.

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