Vietnamese New Year 2027, known as Tết or Tết Nguyên Đán, begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Tết is Vietnam’s Lunar New Year and one of the most important holidays in Vietnamese culture. It is a time when many people welcome the new year, reunite with family, honor ancestors, and share wishes for good fortune.
The ways people celebrate vary by family, region, and personal tradition. If you are visiting Vietnam or attending a local Tết event, check current details with organizers and follow the guidance of your host or community.
When Is Vietnamese New Year 2027?
Vietnamese New Year begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027, the first day of the Vietnamese lunar calendar year. Tết celebrations often extend beyond New Year’s Day, with preparations and visits taking place before and after the date.
Schedules for public events, businesses, transport, and cultural programs can vary. If you are travelling or making reservations, confirm current information with the relevant venue, service provider, or local authority.
What Is Tết?
Tết Nguyên Đán, commonly shortened to Tết, is Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration. It marks the beginning of a new year in the Vietnamese lunisolar calendar and is an important occasion for many Vietnamese families and communities.
For many people, Tết brings together family gatherings, remembrance of ancestors, festive food, visits, and hopes for the year ahead. Not everyone celebrates in the same way, and traditions can differ between households and regions.
How Vietnamese New Year Is Celebrated
Tết customs vary, but celebrations may include:
- Cleaning and preparing the home before the holiday
- Decorating with flowers or other seasonal displays
- Visiting relatives, friends, and community members
- Preparing or sharing special meals
- Honoring ancestors through family or religious practices
- Giving children lucky money in some families
- Attending cultural events or local celebrations
These are common practices, not universal rules. Follow your host’s lead if you are joining a family celebration.
Tết Traditions and Their Meaning
Family Reunions
Many people travel to spend Tết with family. A shared meal or visit can be a central part of the holiday, though work, distance, and personal circumstances mean that not everyone is able to gather in the same way.
Honoring Ancestors
Some families prepare an altar or make offerings as part of remembering ancestors. Practices differ by family and belief. If you are visiting a home, ask before approaching or photographing a religious or family display.
New Clothes and Home Preparations
Some people wear new or festive clothes and prepare their homes for the new year. Decorations, colors, and customs vary across households and regions.
Lucky Money
In some families, adults give children red envelopes containing money as a gesture of good wishes. Customs around giving, receiving, and the appropriate amount differ. If you are a guest, ask your host for guidance rather than assuming a particular practice.
Vietnamese New Year Food
Food is an important part of many Tết gatherings. Families may prepare traditional dishes, share a special meal, and offer food to visitors. Menus vary by region and household, and no single dish is served by everyone.
Some dishes commonly associated with Tết include:
- Bánh chưng, a square sticky-rice cake traditionally associated with northern Vietnam
- Bánh tét, a cylindrical sticky-rice cake found in several regions, including southern Vietnam
- Pickled vegetables and other side dishes
- Regional meats, soups, sweets, and fruit
Recipes and serving customs vary. If you are hosting or bringing food, ask about dietary needs and allergies.
Vietnamese New Year Greetings
A greeting is a simple way to share good wishes. Common options include:
- Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! — Happy New Year!
- Chúc Mừng Năm Mới 2027! — Happy New Year 2027!
- Wishing you and your family a joyful and peaceful Tết.
- May the new year bring you health, happiness, and meaningful time with loved ones.
- Sending warm wishes for good fortune and fresh possibilities in the year ahead.
Vietnamese accents and pronunciation matter, and greetings may be phrased differently depending on the person and context. If you are unsure, a warm greeting in English is also appropriate.
Ways to Celebrate Tết Respectfully
If you are attending a Tết gathering or event:
- Ask your host about customs you are unsure of.
- Follow the guidance of family members, organizers, and religious communities.
- Ask permission before taking photographs, especially in homes or during religious observances.
- Be mindful that not everyone observes Tết in the same way.
- Ask about food ingredients and dietary needs.
- Avoid treating one family’s traditions as representative of all Vietnamese people.
Listening and showing consideration are often the best ways to participate respectfully.
Travelling During Tết
Tết is a busy travel period in Vietnam. Travel demand, business hours, and service schedules may differ from ordinary days. If you plan to visit:
- Book essential transport and accommodation through reliable providers.
- Confirm operating hours with businesses and attractions.
- Allow extra time for travel.
- Check local event and road information.
- Keep important booking details accessible.
- Verify opening times directly before making a special trip.
Schedules can vary from place to place and may change. Check current information from transport providers, venues, and local authorities.
Tết and Other Lunar New Year Celebrations
Many communities celebrate Lunar New Year, but their calendars, histories, names, and customs are distinct. Tết is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and should not be treated as interchangeable with the New Year festivals of other cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Vietnamese New Year 2027?
Vietnamese New Year 2027 begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Tết celebrations may continue over several days.
What does Tết mean?
Tết is the common name for Tết Nguyên Đán, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration.
How long does Tết last?
The main holiday and related observances can extend over several days. The length and schedule vary by family, region, and local event.
What is the difference between bánh chưng and bánh tét?
Both are traditional sticky-rice cakes associated with Tết. Bánh chưng is typically square, while bánh tét is generally cylindrical. Recipes and traditions vary.
What do you say for Vietnamese New Year?
A common greeting is “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!”, meaning “Happy New Year.” You can also say, “Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Tết.”
Is everything closed in Vietnam during Tết?
Business and service hours vary. Some businesses may close or change their schedules, while others may operate. Confirm current opening times and transport arrangements directly before travelling.
Welcome Vietnamese New Year 2027
Tết is a meaningful time of renewal and connection for many Vietnamese families and communities. Celebrations can include family visits, traditional food, ancestor remembrance, and hopes for the year ahead, with customs that differ from one household to another.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Wishing everyone celebrating Vietnamese New Year 2027 a joyful, peaceful, and meaningful Tết.
