The lunar new year or Tết is on our doorstep once again, and you’re here because you’re looking to discover more about it. The first thing you should do? Learn how to say happy new year in Vietnamese! The most common phrase you’ll come across all the time is: Chúc mừng năm mới.
This is Vietnam’s most important holiday, which offers a lot more to discover about the celebrations, culture, and beliefs related to Vietnam. Let us walk you through the key facts about the Tết Festival, typical holiday food and gifts, and expressions you can use with locals.
How Do You Say “Happy New Year” In Vietnamese?
The most common greeting that means happy new year in Vietnamese is chúc mừng năm mới.
You will also hear people say cung chúc tân xuân which means “best wishes for the new spring”.
There are the phrases used during Lunar New Year in Vietnam, also called Tết. This is the holiday that marks the arrival of spring and the start of a new year based on the Vietnamese lunar calendar. For many people, this is a time to go home, spend time with family, honor their ancestors, and start the year with fresh hopes for health, luck, and happiness.
Depending on the lunar calendar, Tết is usually celebrated sometime between late January and mid-February. The celebration officially starts on the first day of the lunar year and lasts at least three days, but the celebrations often carry on a lot longer than that.
In 2026, Tết celebrations begin on February 17.
Happy New Year In Vietnamese: Useful Greetings You Can Use
The Vietnamese New Year, or Tết, is full of traditions, celebrations, and, of course, greetings. Here are 12 useful Vietnamese New Year greetings you can start using right away.
| English | Vietnamese | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Happy New Year (Chúc = wish, mừng = happy, Năm = year, Mới = new) | Chúc mừng Năm Mới | |
| Congratulations and be prosperous | Cung hỉ phát tài | |
| Best wishes for the new spring | Cung chúc Tân Xuân | |
| Security, good health, and prosperity | An khang thịnh vượng | |
| May things go according to your will | Vạn sự như ý | |
| Plenty of good health | Sức khỏe dồi dào | |
| Be successful at work | Làm ăn tấn tới | |
| New year, new triumphs | Năm mới, thắng lợi mới | |
| I wish you a healthy new year | Năm mới dồi dào sức khỏe | |
| I wish you a wealthy new year | Năm mới tấn tài tấn lộc | |
| I wish that you will get promoted in the new year | Năm mới thăng quan tiến chức | |
| I wish that the new year will bring health and peace to your family | Năm mới toàn gia bình an |
What Is The Tết Festival?
The Tết Festival is a traditional celebration of the new year in Vietnam. It is the most important annual festival for Vietnamese people. It is also a national holiday which usually lasts for five days. Tết itself means festival, and Tết Nguyên Đán stands for the Lunar New Year.
If you get an opportunity to visit Vietnam at that time of the year, you can witness a fantastic ambiance on the streets. You can taste traditional foods while listening to inspiring Vietnamese music. Don’t be surprised if you see magnificent fireworks or a huge dragon floating on the streets.
New Year In The Vietnamese Calendar
The Vietnamese calendar is similar to the Chinese calendar, so they have the same exact dates for celebrating the new year. Vietnamese people believe the motto that your new year goes on the same way as you enter it.
Every year represents a zodiac animal in the Vietnamese lunar calendar. Here are the upcoming lunar years and their zodiacs:
- 2026 – The Year of the Horse
- 2027 – The Year of the Goat (or Sheep)
- 2028 – The Year of the Monkey
- 2029 – The Year of the Rooster
- 2030 – The Year of the Dog
What Do The Vietnamese Do During Tết?
The Tết Festival symbolizes hope and wellness and offers the Vietnamese a chance to spend time with their families. Some also take this time to visit the graves of their loved ones and remember them.
If you get an invitation, remember to turn your phone off and appreciate the things you have around you, like the decorations, home-cooked meals, and party games.
How Do People Prepare For The Lunar New Year Festival?
Before the Tết holiday, Vietnamese families make it a priority to clean their homes thoroughly. They decorate rooms with incense, flowers, and candles. Such an act means cleansing the bad energy brought by the previous year.
Vietnamese people believe that the deceased souls will visit their homes during the Vietnamese Tết, so they display the photos of deceased people to show that they haven’t forgotten them.
Traditions Of The Tết Festival
- Vietnamese people walk on the streets with firecrackers, drums, and bells because they believe these loud noises would ward off evil spirits, bad luck, and energy.
- Kids receive an amount of money in a red envelope from their parents or grandparents on the first day of the Tết holiday.
- Parades with dragons and costumed people happen in almost every city in Vietnam. The biggest celebrations occur in Ho Chi Minh City, the most crowded city in Vietnam.
- People cook traditional Vietnamese dishes at home.
What To Eat During Tết Holiday
If you are in Vietnam during Tết Holiday, tasting a traditional dish is a must! Vietnam has delicious food ranging from chicken and sticky rice to candied fruits. Here are the most popular dishes in Vietnamese tradition.
1. Banh Chung (Square Glutinous Rice Cake)
Banh Chung is only eaten during the Tết festival. It is made with sticky rice, meat, and beans. This sticky rice is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves to keep the ingredients fresh.
2. Xoi (Sticky Rice)
The Xoi is a well-known classic sticky rice dish in Vietnamese cuisine. Xoi is eaten at many festivals in Vietnam, and you can find a wide variety of Xoi types to try. It is so versatile that it can be made with many various ingredients available in the country.
In fact, you can find this dish as a street food on the roads or at expensive restaurants, although it is most commonly enjoyed in the streets.
Gift Ideas For The New Year In Vietnam
Gift giving is super important in Vietnamese culture, especially during the new year. Gift options include flowers, food and chocolates, jewelry, books, and gift boxes.
There have even been studies that show how the way people give and receive gifts during Tết helps strengthen family ties, maintain friendships, and show respect for loved ones.
Here are the best traditional Vietnamese gifts for the new year:
1. Flowers – Những Bông Hoa
Flowers are a classic gift, yet they are elegant and represent grace. Different flower types can convey different feelings, and you can create a flower bouquet however you like. Women are likely to love flowers more than men.
2. Foods & Chocolates – Thực Phẩm Và Sôcôla
Any handmade food, chocolate, or dessert could be a great gift because it shows the effort and love to make it yourself. If you are not the best chef, then taking your loved ones to dine out could be a good alternative.
3. Jewelry – Trang Sức
You can buy any kind of accessories to let them know that you care. Don’t think of expensive and luxurious jewelry. It would be even better if you made a handmade one. Handmade gifts are always more valuable.
4. Books – Sách
If you have a bookworm friend, don’t hesitate to buy them a new novel, but make sure that you know the genre they are into. Don’t forget to wrap it with a cool package and attach a New Year’s note!
5. Pre-Made Gift Boxes – Hộp Quà Làm Sẵn
In a rush to get something quick? Some shops in Vietnam are based on preparing quick gifts for people. There are many gift boxes with different concepts. All you have to do is choose the one that’s suitable for your friend.
Tips To Enjoy The New Year In Vietnam
Here are some tips to make the most of celebrating the Vietnamese New Year as a visitor:
- Learn basic Vietnamese greetings like Chúc Mừng Năm Mới for Happy New Year.
- Observe local traditions to understand the context of phrases, for example, Mừng tuổi for giving lucky money.
- Practice phrases while shopping or eating, using expressions like bao nhiêu tiền for “How much is this?” and cảm ơn for “Thank you”. Use the Ling app to study everyday phrases!
- Book buses, trains, and hotels well in advance because most people travel home for Tết.
- Expect many shops and restaurants to be closed during the first few days of the holiday.
- Enjoy the quiet streets and explore cities by foot, bike, or scooter while locals are away.
- Never visit a Vietnamese home uninvited during Tết, as the first guests are chosen for luck.
- Try local Tết foods like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake) to experience traditional celebrations.
- Watch fireworks on Tết Eve in major cities for a truly magical atmosphere.
- Visit flower markets before Tết to see the colorful blooms and pick up lucky decorations.
Frequently Asked Questions About The New Year In Vietnam
Where Is The Best Place To Celebrate New Year In Vietnam?
If you want to enjoy traditional Tết celebrations, head to big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. For a calm and historic atmosphere, the best choice is Hoi An with its lantern-lit streets. If you’re in the mood for beach parties and fireworks by the sea, then Nha Trang or Da Nang are the perfect spots for the New Year’s festivities.
How Long Do The New Year Celebrations Last In Vietnam?
Vietnamese New Year is traditionally celebrated over several days. Most families observe the main celebrations for about three days, starting on New Year’s Eve and continuing through the first two days of the lunar new year.
However, preparations often begin weeks in advance, and some public festivities, like markets and performances can last a week or more.
Can Tourists Participate In Tết Traditions?
Yes, tourists can absolutely join in many Tết activities. Public events like lion dances, flower markets, and fireworks are open to visitors. While private family rituals are usually reserved for relatives, showing respect, learning a few greetings, and participating in public celebrations are welcomed and appreciated. It’s a great way to experience the culture firsthand.
Final Thoughts On The Vietnamese New Year
Tết is a wonderful time to celebrate with family, enjoy traditional foods like Banh Chung and Xôi, and take part in special traditions such as giving lucky money, Mừng tuổi, cleaning and decorating homes, and joining lion dance parades.
Learning a few Vietnamese New Year greetings, like Chúc Mừng Năm Mới and An Khang Thịnh Vượng, makes it easier to join the celebrations and make Vietnamese friends. Even a small effort goes a long way in understanding the culture and taking part in the holiday spirit!
Make The Best Of The New Year With Ling!
We have come to the end of the post and the end of the year. We all wish our readers a Happy New Year!
If you are interested in learning Vietnamese, then allow the Ling app to accompany you in your language learning journey. Ling is an app that offers more than 70 languages, including Vietnamese.
In the app, you can study more than just about holiday celebrations. You get short, interactive lessons on different topics, from beginner to more advanced, and can practice writing, listening and speaking with the dialog feature.
So, what are you waiting for? Discover why the Ling app is loved by millions and start learning Vietnamese today.
