Tet Vocabulary

Happy Lunar New YearTết & other Cultural Traditions

How would you explain

the Lunar New Year to a

foreigner ?

Tết is the “Vietnamese N____ Y____” – and it

is the most important celebration in Vietnamese

culture.

Tết celebrates the arrival of s_______ based on

the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar.

Tết is the “Vietnamese New Year” – and it is

the most important celebration in Vietnamese

culture.

Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on

the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar.

What are some popular

foods to eat or cook

during Tet?

• What would you call this in English?

• What are some of the ingredients?

Cylindrical shape is more popular in Saigon Square shape is more common in Hanoi

“Steamed Square (rice) Cake”• Glutinous Rice (“Sticky” rice)

• Mung Bean

• Pork

• Green Peas

• Fish Sauce

• Banana (instead of pork)

• wrapped in Banana Leaf

Bánh chưng =

What can you eat this snack with?

Bánh dày = “Sticky Rice Cake”

* Often eaten with Vietnamese Sausage ( Chả lụa; giò lụa)

*Bonus: What’s the difference between Chả and giò ?

Why is this such a popular dish at Tet?

What fruit paste is used to give it it’s bright color?

“Sticky Red Rice”Xôi gấc =

Considered “lucky” because of it’s bright red color.

If a person eats sticky red rice, they will have good fortune all year.

*It’s made with young/baby jackfruit paste

This popular welcome snack is usually

offered to guests – what kind of items does it

usually include?

= Candied / Dried Fruits

Often includes:

• Tamarind candy

• Pumpkin / Watermelon Seeds

• Dried Ginger / Coconut

• Dried Pineapple

• Lotus Seeds

Mứt

This dish plays an important role in Tet; do

you know why?

How is this chicken cooked?

Boiled Chicken is often served with lime leaves,

salt and pepper.

*Chicken is often served on the 3rd day of Tet to

say ‘goodbye’ to ancestors returning to the

‘heavens’.

New Year Customs

What are some activities

people do to prepare for

Tet?

ANNUAL HOUSE CLEANING

“Spring Cleaning”

* Why is it so important to clean your house before Tet?

Cleaning before Tet is done to get rid of bad spirits

from the previous year.

*What is the belief if you clean during Tet?

DECORATING

Flowers / Trees

*What kind of flowers / trees do families often use to

decorate their home?

Peach Blossom

Often seen in Hanoi

Apricot Blossom

more commonly seen in Saigon

Mandarin Orange Tree

(Kumquat Tree)

Small bamboo TreeGifts can be placed under this tree

Dinner & Cakes

What fruit do families traditionally eat at the end of Tet Eve?

Families usually conclude Tet Eve by eating a

Ripe Watermelon

• A lot of families spend time shopping to prepare for all the cooking.

• Parents will often buy new clothes for their children.

Honor Ancestors & Spirits

Can you describe what this family is doing?

To honor ancestors, many Vietnamese families:

• Visit graves of ancestors / bring flowers & offerings

• ‘Welcomes’ ancestors home by lighting incense sticks and offer sweets, foods and wine

at the alter

• Offer material items such as cars, money, etc. by burning paper models.

Many families place a five-fruit offering at their

ancestors alter.

Can you name the 5 fruits in Saigon

How about Hanoi?

Hanoi’s 5-fruit Tray 1) “Buddha's Hand”

fruit

2) Bananas

3) Pomelo

4) Persimmon

5) Oranges / Mandarin

Saigon’s 5-fruit Tray1) Watermelon

2) Coconut

3) Dragon Fruit

4) Pineapple

5) Mango

• often custard apple &

papaya too.

To honor spirits, some families:

• create a paper effigy of the Kitchen Gods (sometimes putting honey

or something sweet on their lips of convincing them to say good things)

• purchase carp fish (because each god usually rides on

a carp)

New Year Traditions

What do you and your family usually do on

the first day of the new year?

While families in HCMC often travel for New Years, the first day of

the new year is typically spend with the immediate family.

• Elders often give “Lucky Money” to

younger family members

• Children wear new clothes

• What is the belief about the first visitor

to your house?

What typically happens on the 2nd day of Tet?

Traditionally, but not strictly, visiting Friends come on the 2nd day,

and teachers are visited on the third day.

Other Traditions include:

Common Tet Greetings

(in English)

Commonly, most greetings will begin:

“I wish you ….

“My Family and I wish you…

“I wish you to have…

“My Family and I wish you to have…

…and conclude with the following ‘wishes’

“I wish you ….(Good Health, Happiness, & Prosperity)

“My Family and I wish you… (Security & Longevity)

“I wish you to have…(A wonderful Lunar New Year)

“My Family and I wish you to have…(good health &

lots of wealth!)

Alternatives:

“I wish you the best of luck this new years.”

“I wish you good fortune this new years.”

“My family and I wish you all the best this new years.”

“My family and I wish you all that you desire this new years.”