when is tet in vietnam 2025

2 min read 27-11-2024

Meta Description: Discover when Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falls in 2025! Plan your trip or celebrations with our comprehensive guide, including dates, traditions, and what to expect. Learn about the significance of this important holiday and how it's celebrated across Vietnam.

Understanding Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan, often shortened to Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It's the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, a time for family reunions, feasting, and vibrant celebrations marking the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar's fixed date for New Year's, Tet's date changes annually.

When is Tet in 2025?

Tet in 2025 begins on Thursday, February 5th, and ends on Tuesday, February 11th. This means the official holiday period typically spans several days, often including the weekend surrounding the new year. Many businesses close for the entire period, and travel increases significantly as families return to their hometowns.

Key Dates to Remember:

Tết Nguyên Đán (New Year's Day): February 5th, 2025
Other important days: The specific dates for other Tet traditions vary slightly each year, but they generally fall within the week surrounding the New Year.

What to Expect During Tet

Tet is a time of vibrant festivities, with many unique traditions:

Family Gatherings and Reunions:

Families gather for elaborate meals, often featuring traditional dishes like bánh tét (sticky rice cake), bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake), and canh khổ qua (bitter melon soup).
Visiting relatives and elders is a crucial part of Tet, with younger generations paying respects and receiving lucky money (li xi).

Decorations and Celebrations:

Homes and streets are adorned with colorful decorations, including peach blossoms (mai), apricot blossoms (đào), and kumquat trees, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
Lion and dragon dances fill the streets, bringing energy and excitement to the celebrations.
Fireworks displays light up the night sky, marking the transition into the new year.

Cultural Significance:

Tet is more than just a holiday; it's deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and spirituality. It's a time for reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the coming year.

Planning Your Trip to Vietnam During Tet

If you're planning a trip to Vietnam during Tet, be prepared for:

Increased travel costs: Flights and accommodations are typically more expensive during this peak travel season. Book well in advance to secure the best deals.
Crowds: Tourist attractions and transportation will be significantly busier.
Limited business operations: Many businesses close for the duration of Tet, so plan accordingly.
Unique experiences: However, experiencing Tet firsthand offers an unforgettable glimpse into Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Beyond the Dates: Understanding the Lunar Calendar

The lunar calendar plays a significant role in determining Tet's date. It's based on the cycles of the moon, resulting in a slightly different date each year. This makes it important to consult a reliable source, such as an online Vietnamese lunar calendar or a local Vietnamese community, for the most accurate dates.

Conclusion

Tet 2025 promises a vibrant and meaningful celebration of Vietnamese culture. Knowing when Tet falls allows you to plan your celebrations or travels accordingly, immersing yourself in this unique and important holiday. Remember to check for updates closer to the date, as specific events and schedules might change. Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year!)