Do and Don't When Xong Dat
Tet Nguyen Dan, the biggest festival of the year, plays an extremely essential role in Vietnamese beliefs and culture. Among the many intricate religious rituals performed during this occasion, “xong dat” (the first visit to a home in a year) is believed to determine the fortune of the host for the entire year.
Being the first visitor is not easy
Being invited to be the first guest of the year is both an honor and a challenging responsibility. The ideal time for “xong dat” is from midnight on New Year’s Eve until the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. However, the host and guest typically come to an agreement beforehand regarding the time that is most auspicious for the host’s zodiac sign.
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A successful and jovial gentleman, who smiles warmly and gives well-wishes, is believed to usher in a lucky new year for everyone in the household. Before visiting the host's home, guests are expected to spend time at pagodas or temples, praying for fortune, health, and accomplishments for the upcoming year. Afterward, they may bring offerings such as flower buds, branches bearing fruit, or a bottle of wine, which symbolize vitality and wealth, as gifts for the host. Additionally, they may present lucky money wrapped in red envelopes for young children, hoping to bestow health and wisdom.
Does that sound fun and easy? Certainly not if you recognize that your role may determine the family’s luck for the entire year. While no one may hold you accountable for their misfortunes, they might choose someone else to be their first visitor the following year.
Are all hosts cordial during Xong dat?
Indeed, all hosts strive to demonstrate warm hospitality in preparation for the first visit of the year. To welcome their guest, a small celebration with simple Tet foods such as “banh chung” (sticky rice cake), sweet preserved fruits, and rice wine is considered standard.
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Moreover, the host also wishes the guest well for the New Year and typically offers them some lucky money in return. In southern Vietnam, hosts will place a small bucket of water and a branch of apricot blossoms, allowing guests to splash the water and scatter flower petals along the path leading to the house. Water and apricot petals symbolize "multiplying luck" within Vietnamese beliefs.
Visitor’s challenging task with many taboos
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Given the importance of “xong dat” in Vietnamese beliefs, on the first day of the New Year, people typically call friends or relatives before visiting to inquire whether they have welcomed a first visitor. This ensures that both the visitor and the host feel comfortable and respected, avoiding any potential awkwardness.
Folk Games During Tet Holidays
In the country area, Tet is often a holiday to celebrate with games, folk singing and village feasts. Get to know some of the most popular communal games during Tet holiday.
Visiting Pagodas On New Year Days
Together with the festive atmosphere Tet brings to Vietnam every year, the event also the best time of the year for Vietnamese to show their religious belief and traditional custom. Among them, visiting pagodas on the first days of the year has long been a lofty tradition.
Origin Of Vietnam Tradition Xông đất
Year by year, Tết holiday has repeated in the role of the most fundamental and also biggest festival of a year to Vietnamese, from Kinh people to ethnic communities. In this crucial event, Xông đất (first visit to a home in a year) appears to be one of the indispensable rites.
