Têt

Tết Nguyên Ðán or commonly known as 'Tết' is the Vietnamese New Year which is based on a calendar known as Chinese calendar, one of Lunisolar calendars.

It it celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year and shares many of the same customs. Tết occurs around late January or early February. Many Vietnamese prepare for Tết by cooking special holiday foods and cleaning the house. On Tết, Vietnamese visit their families and temples. Children are treated specially on Tết. They are given money in red envelopes, called lì sì, by friends and relatives. Also a common sight on Tết are firecrackers, dragon dances and lion dances which ward off evil spirits and bring in good luck for the new year.(Also see Spring Festival)