In Vietnam, the lunar calendar is calculated based on the shifting phrases of the moon instead of the sun like in Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the discrepancy between the two calendars vary from years to years, which in turn explains why Vietnamese Tet holiday's dates shift from year to year: it can be early as late January and as late as mid February.
Since the early days, Vietnamese culture, being influenced by that of China, adopts a system of 12 zodiac signs corresponding with 12 animals: Tý (Rat); Sửu (Buffalo); Dần (Tiger); Mão (Cat); Thìn (Dragon); Tỵ (Snake); Ngọ (Horse); Mùi (Goat); Thân (Monkey); Dậu (Rooster); Tuất (Dog); Hợi (Pig). Every 12 years the dominant animal comes back and people born on 1984 would share the same zodiac sign with the one 12 years younger or older than them (1972 and 1996).
In Vietnamese belief, not only the new born baby's fate and characteristics will be largely determined by the 'sponsored animal' of the year but also the interactions between the animal sign of a person with the animal of the year will shape how his or her life path is going to unfold. For example, Tiger and Dragon are considered competing signs so the overwhelming force of the Dragon is likely to diminish the luck of Tiger zodiac sign holders in the year 2012.
Below is some good reads to find out more about the specific zodiac sign according to Vietnamese's beliefs:
Overview Vietnamese Astrology
2012 - Year of the Dragon
> Rat in the year of Dragon (people born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996)
> Buffalo in the year of Dragon (people born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997)
> Tiger in the year of Dragon (people born in 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998)
> Cat in the year of Dragon (people born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999)
> Snake in the year of Dragon (people born in 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)
> Horse in the year of Dragon (people born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990)
> Goat in the year of Dragon (people born in 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991)
> Monkey in the year of Dragon (people born in 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992)
> Rooster in the year of Dragon (people born in 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993)
> Dog in the year of Dragon (people born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994)
> Pig in the year of Dragon (people born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995)
