Vietnamese Lunar New Year superstitions

Vietnamese Lunar New Year superstitions center on one idea: how the year begins shapes how it will go. So during Tết, many families avoid sweeping, lending money, breaking things, arguing or saying unlucky words, and they do things that invite luck, such as choosing a good first visitor and giving lucky money.

How seriously people take these beliefs varies a lot. Some families follow every one; others treat them as fun traditions. Here are the most common.

Things people avoid during Tết

Sweeping and taking out the trash. Many families avoid sweeping during the first days of Tết because it is thought to sweep away good luck. If they must clean, they sweep toward the inside and keep the dust in a corner until the holiday is over. That is why the big clean happens before Tết.

Lending or borrowing money. Lending money at the start of the year is believed to mean money flowing out all year. Borrowing suggests debt. People try to settle debts before Tết instead.

Breaking things. Dropping and breaking a bowl or glass is seen as a bad omen, hinting at broken relationships or bad luck. If it happens, people may quickly say something reassuring to cancel it out.

Arguing, crying and scolding. Quarrels and tears in the first days are thought to set a sad tone for the year. Parents often try not to scold children during Tết.

Unlucky words. People avoid talking about death, illness, poverty or failure. Even words that sound like unlucky ones are sometimes avoided.

All-black or all-white clothing. These colors are associated with mourning, so many people choose bright colors, especially red, which is linked with luck.

The first visitor: xông đất

The first person to enter a house in the new year is believed to influence the family's fortune. Families may invite someone ahead of time whose age, zodiac sign and personality are thought to be a good match, often someone successful, cheerful or kind. People who are in mourning or who have had a hard year may avoid being anyone's first visitor out of courtesy.

There is a full guide in xông đất: who should be your first visitor of the year.

Things people do for luck

• Give lì xì. Red envelopes with crisp new bills pass luck to children and elders. See what lì xì is.
• Wear new clothes, ideally in red or other bright colors.
• Display blossoms and kumquat trees for growth and abundance.
• Visit a pagoda early in the year and hái lộc, taking home a small green sprig as a token of luck.
• Speak positive wishes for health, peace and prosperity.

Buying salt and lime

A well-known saying goes Đầu năm mua muối, cuối năm mua vôi ("Buy salt at the start of the year, buy lime at the end"). Salt is associated with keeping bonds strong and warding off bad luck, so some people buy a little salt early in the new year. Lime (the white powder, vôi) is bought at the end of the year. Interpretations of the saying vary.

Superstitions about the first days

Some families add more specific rules for the first day of Tết, Mùng 1:

• Avoid cutting hair or nails, so you do not "cut off" luck.
• Avoid using sharp objects like knives or scissors.
• Avoid giving certain gifts, such as sharp objects or anything associated with funerals.
• Avoid letting the rice jar run empty, which might suggest a hungry year.

These are less universal than the big ones, and plenty of families do not follow them at all.

Where do these beliefs come from?

Many Tết superstitions grew from a mix of folk belief, agricultural life and the idea of a fresh start. Others are based on wordplay, since Vietnamese words that sound alike can carry each other's meanings. For a wider look at everyday beliefs, see Vietnamese superstitions: 15 beliefs and where they come from.

How should guests handle superstitions?

If you are visiting a Vietnamese family at Tết:

• Ask before cleaning up or carrying out trash.
• Avoid dark, somber outfits. Bright colors are a safe choice.
• Keep conversation positive. Save complaints and sad news for later.
• Do not ask to borrow money or bring up debts.
• Follow your hosts' lead if you are unsure.

Most families are relaxed with guests, but small gestures show respect.

If you only remember one rule, keep the first days of Tết calm and cheerful; almost every superstition is really about starting the year on a good note.