Tet Nguyen Dan
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Tet Nguyen Dan is here! Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with delightful banquets, captivating dragon dances and colourful lanterns!
Get ready to dive into the vibrant festivities of Tet Nguyen Dan on Feb. 10! Originating more than a thousand years ago, Tet Nguyen Dan is a celebration that marks the beginning of the Vietnamese New Year and ushers in the spring season. The term "Tet Nguyen Dan" literally means "the first morning of the first day" and is one of the most important occasions of the year for the Vietnamese people. During this time, homes are filled with the scent of blooming flowers and delicious festive food. Endless laughter and good wishes reverberate in every corner of the country. Join in as we celebrate this joyous festival with resplendent banquets, captivating dragon dances, and colourful lanterns!
Embrace the essence of Tet by preparing a traditional Vietnamese New Year feast. An authentic Tet menu could include dishes like Bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), Giò lụa (Vietnamese ham), Pickled Onions and Thịt kho tàu (caramelised pork and eggs).
In Northern Vietnam, the vibrant pink peach blossom tree, known as Hoa Dao, is a tet staple. Symbolising the strength and perseverance of the Vietnamese people, these beautiful trees are used to decorate homes during Tet.
Water Hyacinths are often associated with Tet Nguyen Dan, as they bloom just in time for the holiday. Celebrate by learning how to make your own Origami Water Hyacinths and decorate your home with these paper creations.
Arrange for a professional dragon dance performance at a local park or even your backyard. The lively, colourful dance is believed to bring good fortune and evict bad spirits.
A popular Tet Nguyen Dan custom revolves around giving red envelopes filled with money. Symbolising luck, prosperity, and well-wishes, these can be gifted to children, elderly people, service providers, or even donated to local charities.
Tet Nguyen Dan allows us to immerse ourselves in the rich and colourful cultural traditions of Vietnam. From preparing an authentic Tet feast to decorating our homes with beautiful peach blossoms or creating origami Water Hyacinth Flowers, we can appreciate the significance and beauty of these traditions.
Many elements of Tet Nguyen Dan are designed to bring good fortune for the coming New Year. One such practice is the dragon dance performance, a lively and colourful spectacle believed to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits, amplifying our excitement for the holiday.
Tet Nguyen Dan promotes kindness and generosity by encouraging the giving of red envelopes filled with money. These envelopes symbolize luck, prosperity, and well-wishes and can be gifted to anyone from children to the elderly or even donated to charities. This act of giving fosters a sense of community and strengthens bonds with our loved ones and with the wider society.