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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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000 BCE</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Tet</div><div class='timeline-text'>Ancient Vietnamese people celebrated the arrival of spring, marking the foundation of the Tet Nguyen Dan celebration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>111 BC - 938 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Tet Under Chinese Domination</div><div class='timeline-text'>Despite the Chinese domination, Tet preserves Vietnamese traditions, values, and identity, attesting to the resilience and inner strength of the Vietnamese people.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Tet Expands with French Colonial Era</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tet became highly significant as it was usually one of the few times when Vietnamese peasants got time off from labor under French rule.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1968</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Tet Offensive during Vietnam War</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Tet Offensive, a significant event in the Vietnam War occurred during the Tet holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition of Tet</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tet started to be celebrated by the Vietnamese diaspora around the world, promoting Vietnamese culture on a global scale.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Time</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Tet Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tet continues to be a vibrant celebration in Vietnam and around the world, combining traditional and modern elements, and signifying renewal and hope.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare a Tet feast</h3><p class='facts-text'>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).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Decorate with peach blossoms</h3><p class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create origami Water Hyacinth Flowers</h3><p class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a dragon dance performance</h3><p class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate red envelopes</h3><p class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time for tradition and culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings good fortune </h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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. </p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day of giving and sharing</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tet Nguyen Dan Celebrations Last for Seven Days</h3><p class='facts-content'>While the official public holiday in Vietnam lasts for three days, Tet Nguyen Dan celebrations often span an entire week, with preparations starting well before the actual date and the festive mood lingering several days after.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tet Nguyen Dan is Also Known as 'Feast of the First Morning of the First Day'</h3><p class='facts-content'>This stems from the belief that the events that happen on the morning of Tet set the tone for the rest of the year, thereby emphasizing the importance of this time for Vietnamese people.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cleaning House is a Tet Tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>It is common for Vietnamese families to clean their homes prior to New Year's Day. However, all cleaning materials are put away on New Year's Eve as it's believed that sweeping or dusting on New Year's Day sweeps good luck away.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Vietnamese Zodiac is a Crucial Aspect of Tet</h3><p class='facts-content'>Much like the Chinese zodiac, the Vietnamese zodiac cycles through 12 animals and plays a significant role during Tet Nguyen Dan, as each year is represented by a zodiac sign that influences luck and events of the forthcoming year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tet Nguyen Dan Marks the Arrival of Spring</h3><p class='facts-content'>Contrary to many Western cultures that celebrate New Year in winter, Tet Nguyen Dan welcomes the New Year on the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar, symbolising regeneration and new beginnings.</p></div></div>
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