Tet Nguyen Tieu - First Full Moon Of The Year

In addition to Tet, Tet Nguyen Tieu, which marks the First Full Moon of the New Year, provides a fantastic opportunity for foreigners to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture. Despite its origins in China, Tet Nguyen Tieu has evolved in Vietnam, adopting unique cultural aspects and playing a significant role in the religious and cultural practices of the Vietnamese people. Most Vietnamese consider the First Full Moon of the New Year to be the most important full moon of the year. Celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar Calendar, this occasion sees people visiting pagodas and praying for good fortune for family members and friends alike. It's customary to partake in vegan meals and drink plain water on this special day, reflecting the values of tranquility and luck for the year ahead.

Photo @giadinhvietnam.com

Vegetarian dishes are traditionally enjoyed to purify the soul.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Cho Lon in District 5 stands out as the most vibrant location for celebrating Tet Nguyen Tieu. Visitors can sample 'che troi nuoc', a special dessert made of glutinous rice with a sweet syrup, symbolizing reunion. Most activities associated with Tet Nguyen Tieu take place at the Cultural Center in District 5, where from January 25th to January 28th, visitors can experience the lively atmosphere of the Hoa community. Attendees gather to watch lion and dragon dances, which are believed to bring luck, prosperity, and success for the New Year. Additionally, festive parades featuring decorated floats and large groups of participants create a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a street carnival. Ensure your camera is charged to capture the unique moments that are sure to impress you.

If a lantern display is on your must-see list but you can’t travel to Hoi An, then the Cultural Center in District 5 offers a splendid alternative. Lanterns will be exquisitely arranged and exhibited throughout the center, and you’ll find them beautifully strung along the streets. Even those familiar with District 5 will find themselves enchanted by the transformation, almost feeling as if they’ve entered another world.

While District 1 features modern architecture and luxurious buildings embracing the festive atmosphere of Tet, District 5 retains its historical charm with traditional houses and cultural legacies from the Hoa community. Tet Nguyen Tieu is one of the most significant celebrations besides Tet itself, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the fusion of Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, an experience that is not easily replicated elsewhere.

In general, Tet Nguyen Tieu is primarily celebrated within the Buddhist community, particularly in the central and southern regions of Vietnam. In places like Hue and Da Nang, you will witness grand yet more subdued celebrations during this festival, where vegetarianism plays a prominent role.

In the northern areas like Thanh Hoa and Hanoi, the focus of Tet Nguyen Tieu shifts more toward honoring ancestors. People engage in shopping for groceries and paper offerings, aiming to present striking flowers and the freshest fruits on family altars.