Introduction to Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year, also known as Tet Nguyen Dan, is one of the most important festivals in many Asian countries. This is an occasion for people to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year with the best hopes and wishes. Tet Nguyen Dan is not only a time for family reunions but also an occasion to honor traditional cultural values ​​and customs that have been passed down for centuries.

Lunar New Year has a special significance in the lives of Asian people. This is the time when people not only prepare for the new year but also express gratitude to their ancestors, praying for a peaceful, happy and prosperous new year. In each country, Lunar New Year is celebrated with different customs and rituals, but all reflect the richness and diversity of East Asian culture.

Vietnam: Lunar New Year and traditional customs

In Vietnam, Tet Nguyen Dan is the most important holiday of the year, celebrated from the last day of December (the 12th lunar month) to the third day of January (the 1st lunar month). Tet is a time for Vietnamese people to remember their ancestors, reunite with their families and start a new year with good luck.

One of the most important customs during Tet in Vietnam is the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao on the 23rd of the 12th lunar month. According to tradition, this is the day when the Kitchen Gods go to heaven to report on all family matters to the Jade Emperor. Vietnamese people often prepare offerings with carp, candy and traditional dishes to send the Kitchen Gods to heaven.

New Year’s Eve is the most important time of the Tet holiday, when everyone welcomes the new year together. During the New Year’s Eve, Vietnamese people often burn incense to worship their ancestors and pray for a peaceful and happy new year. After New Year’s Eve, the elders in the family will give lucky money (li xi) to children and relatives to bless and bring good luck.

China: Lunar New Year and its colorful festivals

China, the birthplace of the Lunar New Year, celebrates this festival with great pomp and circumstance. The Chinese New Year is known as the “Spring Festival” and usually lasts for 15 days, starting on the first day of the first lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival.

During the Chinese New Year, people often return to their hometowns to reunite with their families. One of the most important customs is to clean the house before entering the new year, to remove bad luck from the previous year. The Chinese also pay great attention to decorating their houses with red, the color that symbolizes luck and happiness.

On New Year’s Eve, Chinese families often gather for a New Year’s Eve meal, with traditional dishes such as banh chung, fish, chicken, etc. In particular, Chinese people often set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and welcome the new year. After New Year’s Eve, adults will give lucky money to children with the meaning of bringing luck and happiness.

The Lantern Festival, which takes place on January 15, marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the festival, people light lanterns and hold activities such as lion and dragon dances, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere.

Korea: Seollal and Ancestor Reverence

In Korea, Lunar New Year, called Seollal, is one of the biggest holidays of the year. Seollal is a time for Koreans to express gratitude and respect for their ancestors, as well as to reunite with family and enjoy traditional feasts.

Before Seollal, Koreans clean their homes and prepare traditional dishes such as tteokguk (rice cake soup) and galbi (grilled ribs) to offer to their ancestors. On the morning of the first day, families hold an ancestral memorial service called “charye,” which is attended by all family members. After the service, everyone shares a meal together and shares happy stories in a warm family atmosphere.

A special custom during Seollal is “sebae,” which is the act of bowing to elders to show respect and receive good wishes for the new year. Children who perform sebae often receive lucky money from adults, hoping to bring them good luck and success in the new year.

Japan: Shogatsu and its unique features

In Japan, the Lunar New Year is known as Shogatsu and is the most important holiday of the year. However, unlike other Asian countries, Japan celebrates the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar (January 1). Shogatsu in Japan has a unique cultural identity, combining tradition and modernity.

During Shogatsu, Japanese people decorate their homes with kadomatsu (pine or bamboo branches) and shimenawa (straw ropes), which are symbols of good luck and protection from misfortune. They also prepare osechi, a traditional meal with dishes that symbolize prosperity, longevity, and happiness.

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, Japanese people often go to shrines or temples to pray for a peaceful and successful new year. This is a traditional custom called “hatsumode”. After that, they will participate in fun and entertaining activities such as playing traditional games or watching New Year programs on television.

Another special custom during Shogatsu is “otoshidama”, which is when elders give money to children in beautiful envelopes, symbolizing good luck and fortune. In addition, Japanese people often write and send New Year greeting cards (nengajo) to friends, relatives and colleagues.

Taiwan: Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival

In Taiwan, Lunar New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is the biggest holiday of the year. Like in China, Lunar New Year in Taiwan lasts for 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival. This is a time for Taiwanese people to reunite with their families, pay respects to their ancestors and participate in fun and entertainment activities.

Before the New Year, Taiwanese people often clean their houses and buy new things to ward off bad luck. Taiwanese people also pay great attention to decorating their houses with the color red, which symbolizes luck, prosperity and happiness.

On New Year’s Eve, Taiwanese families often gather around a New Year’s Eve meal with traditional dishes such as banh chung, boiled chicken, fish, etc. In particular, Taiwanese people also have the custom of setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and welcome the new year. After New Year’s Eve, adults often give lucky money to children and relatives with good wishes for the new year.

The Lantern Festival, which takes place on January 15, is one of the most special events during the Lunar New Year in Taiwan. During this festival, people will release lanterns into the sky or into the river, with the hope of bringing luck and happiness to their families. The Lantern Festival in Taiwan is not only a cultural event but also an opportunity to attract thousands of tourists to visit and experience.

Lunar New Year – A unique cultural feature of Asian countries

Lunar New Year is the biggest and most important holiday of the year in many Asian countries. Although each country has different customs and practices, they all aim at the common goal of honoring family values, remembering ancestors and praying for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Through the rituals and activities of celebrating Tet, we can see the diversity and richness of East Asian culture. Each country has its own characteristics, but all contribute to creating a panoramic picture of the Tet culture of Asian people.

Tet Nguyen Dan is not only an occasion for rest and reunion, but also a time for each person to look back on the past, learn and look forward to the future with new hopes and aspirations. This is truly a cultural feature worth cherishing and preserving, demonstrating the spirit of solidarity, attachment and love between generations, between people and nature.