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TL;DR: The first outing and first calligraphy of the new year are important luck-bringing customs of Vietnamese people, hoping for a smooth start. Choosing times and directions is often based on the lunar calendar and deities like Hy Than and Tai Than, requiring sincerity and a cheerful mood.
What are the first outing and the first writing of the new year?
For Vietnamese people, the first day of Tet is not only the moment of harmony between heaven and earth, but also the first day of a new cycle. For this reason, the first actions of the new year are considered extremely important, decisive for luck, fortune and peace throughout the whole year. Among them, the first outing and the first writing of the new year are two typical customs, preserved and treasured by many generations of Vietnamese people.
The first outing (xông đất, the first visitor of the lunar new year, here referring to the first steps out of the house) is the first step taken outside the home in the new year. People in the past believed that a smooth beginning would lead the way to a prosperous year, as the folk saying goes, "a good start makes a good end". The first writing of the new year, also called "minh niên khai bút", is the act of writing the first strokes of the new year, symbolising the beginning of intellect, knowledge and career. This first writing is especially valued by scholars, teachers, writers, poets, students and those whose work involves pen and paper.
How does one choose the direction and the time for the first outing?
According to cultural expert and lecturer Nguyễn Hiếu Tín (Tôn Đức Thắng University, Ho Chi Minh City), the first outing of the new year is not merely a formal procedure. It is a sacred rite, requiring solemnity and sincerity, because there is only one first outing of the year. People in the past would carefully examine the day, calculate the hour and choose the direction before stepping out of the house.
Based on many ancient documents, each day during Tet has different auspicious directions, determined by the positions of the deities who govern luck and fortune.
What are the Hỷ thần and Tài thần directions in the first days of the year?
The Hỷ thần direction is the direction of the god of luck and joy, while the Tài thần direction is the direction of the god of wealth. Choosing these directions correctly when setting out is believed to bring many good things. Below is a specific example of auspicious directions during Tết Nguyên Dan (for example, the year of Giáp Thìn 2024):
| Tet day | Hỷ thần direction | Tài thần direction |
|---|---|---|
| First day of Tet | Northeast | Southeast |
| Second day of Tet | Northwest | Southeast |
| Third day of Tet | Southwest | Southeast |
These directions can change from year to year and from day to day, so to have the most accurate information, each family should consult a detailed lunar calendar for each specific year. The choice of direction for the first outing also needs to suit the age and destiny of the head of the household, along with choosing a good day and hour.
Things to note when performing the first outing rite
According to the advice of lecturer Nguyễn Hiếu Tín, when setting out at the start of the year, the most important thing is to keep a very good, cheerful and relaxed mood. If there is a chance to visit a pagoda, one should sincerely pray for blessings and peace for the family and loved ones instead of focusing only on praying for wealth. One should speak kind words, do good deeds and keep the soul serene and wholesome. In addition, one should also practise thrift and avoid waste in the first days of the year.
What is the meaning of the first writing of the new year?
The first writing is an indispensable rite for intellectuals, school pupils and students. Usually, this first writing is done on the second day of Tet or another day that suits each person's circumstances and schedule. This rite often begins with the sincere burning of incense before the ancestral altar, then using a new pen and a sheet of red paper (the colour of luck) to write the first lines.
What is the meaning of choosing the pen and paper?
Preparing a new pen and a beautiful bright red sheet of paper not only shows respect for the rite but is also a symbol of a fresh, pure beginning. A blunt pen, old paper or poor materials are considered a great taboo, which can affect one's aesthetic sense and attitude towards writing in the first days of spring.
What content and words should be written when doing the first writing?
The content of the first writing is usually good wishes, parallel sentences carrying lucky meanings such as "Phúc" (blessing), "Lộc" (fortune), "Bình An" (peace), "Phúc sinh phú quý gia đình thịnh" (blessings bring wealth and prosperity to the family) or "Tân niên vạn phúc" (ten thousand blessings in the new year). People in the past would entrust their wishes and thoughts to each stroke of the pen, each verse, hoping for a new year full of positive energy and hope.
Taboos on the day of the first outing and the first writing
Besides the things that should be done, Vietnamese people also have beliefs about things to avoid in the first days of the year so as not to encounter misfortune.
What are the taboos in the first outing?
According to old custom, during the three days of Tet, wherever one goes, one should return home by evening, because people in the past avoided the situation of "going out but not returning". However, in modern society, when the demand for travel and entertainment during Tet has become common, this belief has changed to suit the new pace of life. A newer taboo that many people pay more attention to is not drinking alcohol when setting out, and not letting oneself feel sad or irritable, because this can affect oneself and those around.
What are the taboos in the first writing?
For the rite of the first writing, the greatest taboo is writing vulgar or trivial content, or writing carelessly and perfunctorily. The writing on the first day of the year needs to be polished, elegant and show respect for the written word. Choosing meaningful, positive words will help create a good beginning for a new year full of inspiration.
Overview article on the topic: Which days of the year make up Vietnamese Tet?
