The exact date varies each year because it is based on the lunar calendar, which follows the phases of the moon.

Tet Greetings & Lucky Money

As part of the Tết tradition, children wish their elders well in exchange for lì xì—red envelopes filled with crisp new money.

As a kid, I was always excited about collecting lì xì. But to earn those envelopes, you had to wish your elders something meaningful for the new year. And you have to say it in Vietnamese to ensure the bigger prize envelopes.

The problem? I never knew what to say. Even now, I sometimes stumble over my words because it’s not something I say often.

If you’re like me and need a little inspiration or a quick refresher, here are some phrases to try below.

I’ve also included recordings below so you can hear how the words are pronounced in Vietnamese.

Keep in mind, I have a southern Vietnamese accent. If you’re from different regions of Vietnam, the North or Central Vietnam, the pronunciations or words may be different.

Traditional Wishes

Informal & Playful Wishes

Mai Mãi Đẹp Gái/Trai
Wishing you everlasting beauty (girl/boy)

Ăn No, Không Lo Mập
Eat well and don’t worry about getting fat.

Chúc Mạnh Mẽ, Sức Khỏe, Không Có Gẽ
Wishing you strength, health and that you don’t get warts

Chúc Dừa Đủ Xoài
Wishing you coconut, papaya, and mango – a play on words for wishing sufficient money for the year.

Vietnamese Zodiac

No Tết celebration is complete without a mention of the Vietnamese zodiac.

Like its Chinese counterpart, the Vietnamese zodiac is a 12-year cycle where each year is associated with an animal. However, Vietnam adds its own unique twist to this tradition.

• The Rabbit is replaced by the Cat, believed to bring a sense of calmness and prosperity.
• The Ox is referred to as the Buffalo, reflecting Vietnam’s agricultural heritage.

Curious about your zodiac sign? Find your animal below based on your birth years and see what it says about you.

Tết Superstitions

It’s believed that one’s activities during Tết set the tone for the entire year ahead. This meant no sweeping, laundry, or taking out that trash during the three days of Tet. This was my golden ticket to dodge chores on these celebration days.

“Sorry Mom, can’t sweep the floors today. We don’t want to sweep away our luck for the year, right?”

However, Vietnamese moms are typically smart and strict. That means they put kids to work cleanings way before the Lunar New Year celebrations. Bummer.

Lunar New Year’s Eve (Giao Thừa)

Giao Thừa, or Lunar New Year’s Eve, is celebrated with its own meaningful traditions.

In the final hours before midnight, families prepare a fruit tray that typically includes mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, oranges, and pomelo (grapefruit)—fruits commonly used in the West. In Vietnam, the selection of fruits varies based on availability. Families also light incense at the front door to honor their ancestors and invite blessings from those who have passed.

When the clock strikes twelve, firecrackers erupt, driving away bad luck and welcoming a year filled with good fortune.

If you live in an area with a large Vietnamese or Chinese population, chances are you’ve been jolted awake by the loud fireworks that sound like machine guns going off simultaneously.

Do not fear. It’s just us Asians. No need to post on Next Door.

Tết Games

One of the most popular games played during Tết celebrations is Bầu Cua Cá Cọp, a traditional Vietnamese dice game. Instead of numbers, the game uses three dice, each featuring six images: a fish, prawn, crab, rooster, calabash gourd, and tiger.

Players place bets on a board using their lucky money to predict which animal will appear on the dice.

Payouts depend on the results—one matching image doubles the bet, two matches triple it, and three matches quadruple it.

Food & Recipes

Food plays a big part in Tết. Families come together to enjoy special dishes for the holiday.

The dishes are often pickled (such as fermented vegetables) or slow-cooked for hours (like Bánh Tét or Thịt Kho Tàu), allowing them to last several days without spoiling. In fact, they taste even better the next day. This way, they can be enjoyed throughout the celebration without the hassle of additional cooking and cleaning.

If you’re getting ready for Tết, here’s a list of must-have dishes to make your celebration extra special. Each one comes with a recipe so you can bring the spirit of Tết into your own kitchen.

Happy cooking and chúc mừng năm mới! Wishing you coconut, papaya, and mango!

Bánh Chưng / Bánh Tét / Bánh Ú

• What it is: Glutinous rice cakes stuffed with pork and mung beans, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled for many hours. You got to have them around for the festivities or fail as a Vietnamese adult.
• Recipe: Bánh Tét | Bánh Chưng | Bánh Ú

Nem Chua

• What it is: A classic and delicious Vietnamese cured meat snack with a perfect balance of tangy, garlicky, and spicy flavors. Make it with beef or pork and enjoy it as a flavorful appetizer.
• Recipe: Nem Chua

Dịa Hành / Dịa Gia / Pickled Vegetables

• What it is: A variety of pickled vegetables, such as daikon, bean sprouts, or mustard greens that cleanse the palate and balance the richness of other dishes, making them the perfect accompaniment.
• Recipes:
  • Dried Pickled Daikon
  • Pickled Bean Sprouts (Dứa Gia)
  • Pickled Mustard Greens

Xôi Gấc (Red Sticky Rice)

• What it is: Sweet sticky rice, often dyed red (but really orange), and typically served during special celebrations. The color red is symbolic of good fortune in Vietnamese culture, which is why Xoi Gac is mainly served during special occasions such as Lunar New Year.
• Recipe: Red Sticky Rice

Mứt Dừa (Candied Coconut Ribbons)

• What it is: Thinly sliced coconut ribbons cooked in sugar until sweet and crunchy, often served to guests or offered on family altars during Tết. While store-bought versions are available, homemade is far tastier.
• Recipe: Candied Coconut Ribbons

Chả Giò (Vietnamese Egg Rolls)

• What it is: Crispy egg rolls filled with ground pork and vegetables. These are a crowd favorite and are a go-to appetizer during Tết.
• Recipe: Vietnamese Egg Rolls

Thịt Kho Tàu (Braised Pork and Eggs)

• What it is: Tender bite-sized pork belly and hard-boiled eggs simmered in a savory and sweet broth. This is Vietnamese comfort food at its best that gets better in flavor over several days.
• Recipe: Thịt Kho Tàu

Canh Khổ Qua (Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup)

• What it is: Bitter melon stuffed with pork and simmered in a clear broth. It’s a taste that haunts us during childhood but it’s also a taste that we get more accustomed to as we get older.
• Recipe: Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup

Gà Luộc (Poached Yellow Chicken)

• What it is: Want food with a face? Try this whole boiled chicken. Typically used as a traditional offering to ancestors on the family altar during Tết, symbolizing family unity.
• Recipe: Poached Yellow Chicken

Gỏi Ngó Sen (Lotus Root Salad)

• What it is: A Vietnamese celebration is incomplete without a Vietnamese salad. Here’s a light and refreshing salad made with lotus root and shrimp. It’s texture and flavor galore.
• Recipe: Lotus Root Salad

Giò Thủ (Vietnamese Head Cheese)

• What it is: Giò Thủ is a gelatinous, meaty roll made from various parts of a pig’s head, often called Vietnamese head cheese. However, there’s no cheese involved. Think of a French terrine.
• Recipe: Vietnamese Head Cheese (Giò Thủ)