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Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan is here! Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with delightful banquets, captivating dragon dances and colourful lanterns!

Saturday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEChinese New Year

OBSERVED INVietnam

CATEGORYCulture

SUBCATEGORYAsian Heritage

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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!

TIMELINE

Tet Nguyen Dan Timeline

Origins of Tet

Ancient Vietnamese people celebrated the arrival of spring, marking the foundation of the Tet Nguyen Dan celebration.

Tet Under Chinese Domination

Despite the Chinese domination, Tet preserves Vietnamese traditions, values, and identity, attesting to the resilience and inner strength of the Vietnamese people.

Tet Expands with French Colonial Era

Tet became highly significant as it was usually one of the few times when Vietnamese peasants got time off from labor under French rule.

Tet Offensive during Vietnam War

The Tet Offensive, a significant event in the Vietnam War occurred during the Tet holiday.

Global Recognition of Tet

Tet started to be celebrated by the Vietnamese diaspora around the world, promoting Vietnamese culture on a global scale.

Modern Tet Celebrations

Tet continues to be a vibrant celebration in Vietnam and around the world, combining traditional and modern elements, and signifying renewal and hope.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Tet Nguyen Dan

Prepare a Tet feast

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).

DECORATE

Decorate with peach blossoms

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.

CREATE

Create origami Water Hyacinth Flowers

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.

HOST

Host a dragon dance performance

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.

DONATE

Donate red envelopes

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.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Tet Nguyen Dan

It's a day of giving and sharing

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.

It's a time for tradition and culture

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.

It brings good fortune

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.