Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, is the biggest and most important holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for family reunions, ancestor worship, and celebrating the new year. Each region has its own way of celebrating Tet, depending on its climate, geography, and history.
In this article, we will explore the differences between how Vietnam New Year is celebrated in the three regions of Vietnam. From the food to the decorations to the activities, you'll learn about all the unique ways that Tet is celebrated across Vietnam.
Read more: Top Vietnam Travel Tips For Foreign Visitors In 2022 (ezyremit.com)
What is Tet?
Tet is the Vietnam New Year and is the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. It is a time for a family reunion, and for celebrating the coming of spring. Tet usually falls in late January or early February and lasts for three days. The first day of Tet is the start of the new lunar year and is considered to be the most important day.
There are three regions in Vietnam: the North, Central, and South. Each region has its own unique customs and traditions associated with Tet.
The Significance of Tet
In Vietnam, Tet is the most important and popular holiday. It is a time for a family reunion, celebrating the New Year, and wishing for good luck in the year to come. Tet is also a time of great religious significance, as it is the day on which the Vietnamese people commemorate the death of Buddha.
The holiday has both religious and secular aspects. Vietnamese New Year is considered the first day of spring, and so it is a time of renewal and hope. Many people clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and lucky symbols before Tet arrives. On the eve of Tet, people often stay up all night to welcome the New Year.
Vietnam New Year of The North
The North of Vietnam is cooler than the South, with temperatures averaging 20-25 degrees Celsius. The region experiences four seasons, including a hot summer, cool winter, and two rainy seasons. Vietnamese New Year in the North is celebrated during the first lunar month, which falls in February or early March.
In the north, people traditionally wear red clothes and decorate their homes with phoenixes and dragon symbols. On the first day of Tet, people visit their ancestors' graves and offer them food and gifts. The second day is reserved for family gatherings, and the third day is for visiting friends and extended family.
Vietnam New Year of The Central
When it comes to Vietnam New Year, each region of Vietnam has its own unique traditions. In the North, Tet is all about family reunions and feasts. The central region is known for its elaborate floral decorations and vibrant dragon dances. And in the South, people take part in water festivals and boat races.
Central Vietnam is known for its colorful flowers and trees. People here like to decorate their homes with these plants, as well as with lanterns and streamers. On the first day of Tet, people go to the temple to pray for a prosperous year ahead. The second day is spent visiting relatives and friends, and the third day is devoted to relaxation and enjoyment.
On the eve of Tet, families clean their homes and prepare traditional dishes. On the first day of Tet, people visit their relatives and offer them best wishes for the new year. The second day is spent with family members, and on the third-day people visit friends and neighbors. Fireworks are set off on all three nights of Tet.
The Central Highlands region has a more subdued celebration of Tet. In this region, people focus more on paying respect to their ancestors than on revelry.
On the first day of Tet, people visit the tombs of their ancestors and offer them gifts of food and flowers. Families also gather together to enjoy traditional Tet dishes such as nem (spring rolls), Banh Chung (glutinous rice cakes), and Thit Kho (braised pork).
Vietnam New Year of The South
Vietnam New Year is undoubtedly celebrated in a distinctive manner in the South of Vietnam. For starters, the South is generally hotter than the North, so many of the traditional Tet foods are replaced with lighter, refreshing dishes.
The south of Vietnam is hot all year round, so the decorations here are often made from palm leaves or bamboo. Homes are decorated with lanterns, lamps, and colorful paper cutouts.
In the South, Tet is also a time for celebration, but it is not quite as festive as in the North. Families get together to eat special dishes such as Banh Tet (a type of rice cake), Thit Kho (braised pork).
On the first day of Tet, many people in the South head to their local temples to pray and make offerings. The second day is all about spending time with family and friends, and the third day is reserved for visiting gravesites and paying respects to ancestors.
Use EzyTravel to experience Tet more easily
For those looking to travel and experience Vietnam New Year, EzyRemit can make your trip easy and hassle-free. With EzyRemit, visitors can easily send money to Vietnam in advance of their trip, ensuring they have plenty of money on hand for spending.
Our service also includes EzyTravel, a digital wallet that allows you to top up your money, which can be exchanged into Vietnam Dong, making it easy to keep track of your spending. Vietnamese currency can be withdrawn in one of two ways: withdraw cash at the bank branches, or by having a representative bring it to you while you’re in Vietnam.
The advantage is that there is no need to carry a lot of cash and the exchange rate is fixed (since it was topped up before flying to Vietnam). What's more, EzyRemit also offers remittance services, so you can easily send money back home without having to worry about expensive fees.
So if you're looking for an easier and more affordable way to travel, be sure to check out EzyTravel. With our help, you'll be able to focus on enjoying your trip, rather than worrying about your finance.
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Conclusion
It's clear that there are some big differences between how Vietnamese New Year is celebrated in the north, south, and central regions of Vietnam. While the holiday is a time for family and friends to get together no matter where you are from, it's clear that each region has its own unique way of celebrating.
Whether it's the food that's served, the decorations that are used, or the activities that take place during Tet, each area has something special to offer. So if you're ever curious about how this holiday is celebrated in different parts of Vietnam, be sure to come around and see what makes each region's celebration so special.
