Tết is the biggest festival in Vietnam, and it has been part of Vietnamese life for thousands of years. Every year, Vietnamese families celebrate Tết with full hearts, whether they are living in their hometowns or far away. It is hard to imagine Vietnam without Tết, because this holiday is deeply connected to family, home, and respect for ancestors. More than anything else, Tết is a time when people come back together and begin again.
The origin of Tết
Tết, also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, follows the lunar calendar and marks the moment when the old year ends and the new year begins. Long ago, Vietnamese life was closely connected to agriculture, and people depended on the moon and the changing seasons to grow crops. For early communities, Tết signaled the end of a farming year and the beginning of a new cycle. It was a time to rest, celebrate, and prepare for what lay ahead.
Over many generations, Tết gradually absorbed spiritual beliefs about luck, renewal, and balance. It also became deeply connected to ancestor worship and respect for family. As history moved forward, Tết grew into the most important festival in Vietnam, which is why it continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of both children and adults today.
Cleaning the house (dọn nhà) to welcome good luck
Before Tết arrives, Vietnamese families clean their homes carefully. This tradition is called cleaning the house (dọn nhà). It is not only about making the house look nice. It is a symbolic way to sweep away bad luck (vận đen) from the old year and make space for good things in the new year.
A clean home represents a fresh beginning. It shows respect for the new year and hope for what is coming. This tradition reflects the belief that the new year should begin in a clear and peaceful space.
Honoring ancestors (cúng tổ tiên) and family memory
Honoring ancestors (cúng tổ tiên) is one of the most important parts of Tết. Families prepare the ancestral altar with flowers, fruits, and traditional food. Before eating together, many families first offer the food to their ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude.
During Tết, remembering ancestors connects the past with the present. It teaches that family history matters and that today’s life is built on the care and sacrifice of those who came before.
Wearing new clothes (mặc áo mới) to welcome a new beginning
Wearing new clothes (mặc áo mới) represents a fresh start and respect for the new year. New clothes symbolize leaving behind the old and welcoming something new with hope and confidence. Many people also wear traditional clothing such as Áo Dài, Áo Ngũ Thân during Tết. These outfits add to the feeling that Tết is a special and meaningful time, different from ordinary days.
Red envelopes (lì xì) and the meaning behind lucky money
Lì xì is one of the most loved traditions of Tết. Inside the red envelope is lucky money, but its true meaning is not the amount inside. The red color represents luck, happiness, and protection.
When elders give red envelopes, they are sharing good wishes for health, success, and a peaceful year with the younger generation. For children, receiving lì xì is often a joyful moment, but it also teaches them about gratitude, respect, and the importance of family during Tết.
Understanding Tết through stories and books
Tết is full of meaning, and stories help carry that meaning forward. Through poems, folktales, and picture books, children can understand Tết as more than a holiday. Books show family meals, ancestral altars, red envelopes, flowers, and quiet moments at home, helping traditions feel familiar and close.
Some books use short poems, like Thơ Tết Dành Cho Thiếu Nhi, to capture seasonal feelings, simple joy, and the excitement of waiting for the new year. Others, such as Truyện Cổ Tích Hay Nhất Về Tết, share classic folktales that pass down values like gratitude, kindness, and respect for family and ancestors. Interactive materials, such as the Bilingual Vietnamese Cuisine Memory Match Game, connect language and culture through play, using food as a bridge to family memory and tradition. And short story collections Tết Ấm Áp Yêu Thương focus on moments of reunion, care, and togetherness that many families recognize from their own lives.
Through these books, even children who do not live in Vietnam can slowly understand the small details and everyday moments that shape Vietnamese New Year. In this way, Tết continues to connect generations and preserve cultural values wherever people may live. It is not only a celebration of a new year, but a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and what truly matters.