Happy New Year in Vietnamese: Complete Guide to Tet Greetings (2025)

Discover how to say Happy New Year in Vietnamese during Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnam’s most significant traditional festival. This comprehensive guide introduces authentic Vietnamese New Year greetings, traditional customs, and cultural practices that make the lunar new year celebration unique. Learn the proper pronunciation and meaning of festive wishes to connect deeply with Vietnamese culture during this special time.

What is the Historical Origin and Cultural Meaning of Tet Nguyen Dan Festival?

How Does Tet Shape Modern Vietnamese Family and Social Values?

Tet Nguyen Dan (or Lunar New Year) is the biggest traditional festival of the year in Vietnam. This is not only an occasion to welcome the new year but also a time for family reunions, remembering ancestors, and wishing for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Tet Nguyen Dan originated from the rice farming culture when people held festivals to mark the transition between the old year and the new year. Tet is believed to have existed since the Hung Kings period.

Unique customs and practices:

• House cleaning: To ward off bad luck and welcome fortune.
• Ancestor worship: Arrange offerings to show gratitude.
• The first person to enter the house in the new year is considered to bring good luck.
• Lucky money: Giving red envelopes as a blessing to children and the elderly.

Which Lunar New Year Animals Represent 2025, 2026, and 2027?

• Year 2025: At Ty (year of Snake).
• Year 2026: Binh Ngo (year of Horse).
• Year 2027: Dinh Mui (year of Goat).

Each zodiac sign has its own meaning and influences the culture and beliefs of Vietnamese people. Some people also go to see who is compatible with their age to be the first visitor of the year, depending on the year rather than fixed.

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What Distinguishes Tet Nguyen Dan from Western New Year Celebrations?

Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam is based on the lunar calendar and is influenced by the lunar cycle, while Tet Roman (New Year’s Day in the West) is based on the solar calendar and the solar cycle. In addition, Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam usually takes place later, usually from late January to mid-February.

Essential Vietnamese New Year Phrases and Their Meanings

Vietnamese vocabulary is considered rich and diverse. And the theme of Tet is no exception, with commonly used words.

Words and Phrases need to know:

• Tết Nguyên Đán ( Lunar New Year)
• Chúc mừng năm mới (Happy New Year)
• Lì xì (Lucky money)
• Mâm ngũ quả (Five-fruit tray)
• Xông đất (First footing)
• Phong tục (Tradition)

Happy New Year in Vietnamese Basic pronunciation guide

People often talk about good words and positive meanings during Tet to bring good luck. Among them, there are 3 words that are typical of Tet that many people mention.

• Tết Nguyên Đán /tet ŋwien dan/
• Chúc mừng năm mới /ʈʂuk mɨŋ nam moj/
• Lì xì /li si/

To have fun and integrate into Tet Nguyen Dang in Vietnam, practice pronouncing each sound slowly and accurately to communicate more naturally.

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How to Express 10+ Traditional New Year Wishes in Vietnamese?

Many people say that “The preface is the beginning of the stories that follow.”. And the new year, starting a story with good wishes will be the start of a smooth and prosperous year.

Standard ways to say “Happy New Year”

• Chúc mừng năm mới! (Happy New Year!)
• Năm mới an khang thịnh vượng! (Wishing you a prosperous and peaceful New Year!)
• Tân niên hạnh phúc, vạn sự như ý! ( I hope that you are always happiness besides your parents and that good things are coming for you!)

Traditional wishes with different meanings

Health and longevity:

• Chúc ông bà sức khỏe dồi dào, sống lâu trăm tuổi.  (Wishing grandparents long life and good health.)
• Chúc bạn một năm tràn đầy năng lượng và có thật nhiều sức khỏe. (Wishing you a year full of energy and health.)
• Prosperity and wealth:

• Chúc bạn một năm làm ăn phát đạt, tiền vào như nước. (Wishing you a prosperous year with abundant wealth.)
• Chúc gia đình an khang, tài lộc đầy nhà. (Wishing your family wealth and harmony.)
• Career success:

• Chúc bạn sự nghiệp thăng tiến, đạt nhiều thành tựu mới. (Wishing you career success and new achievements.)
• Chúc bạn công việc phất triển thuận lợi, thành công rực rỡ. (Wishing smooth work and great success.)
• Lucky:

• Chúc bạn năm mới tràn ngập may mắn và niềm vui. (Wishing a New Year full of luck and happiness.)
• Chúc bạn năm mới những điều may mắn và tốt đẹp nhất sẽ đến với bạn! (Wishing you great luck and smooth progress in everything.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese New Year Celebrations

What does CUNG CHUC TAN XUAN mean?

“Cung chuc tan xuan” (Cung chúc tân xuân) is a traditional greeting, meaning to wish you a happy new year with many good things. The word “Cung chuc” shows respect and reverence, while “Tan xuan” means new spring.

Some quotes Happy New Year in Vietnamese

• “An khang thịnh vượng – Vạn sự như ý” (Prosperity – May everything go as you wish)
• “Xuân sang vạn lộc đong đầy, Tết đến muôn điều như ý!” (Spring comes with thousands of blessings, Tet comes with thousands of wishes!)
• “Năm mới chúc bạn an khang, hạnh phúc và luôn mỉm cười!” (I pray that you always positive emotions, always happiness and strong healthy in New Year!)
• “Chúc mừng năm mới! Sức khỏe như hổ, tài lộc như rồng!” (Happy New Year! Health like a tiger, wealth like a dragon!)

New Year greetings in Vietnamese not only show respect but also bring positive energy to the recipient. If you have the opportunity to participate and experience Tet Nguyen Dan, do not hesitate to learn and express greetings in Vietnamese! Wishing you a warm Tet holiday and a new year.