The "Better Safe Than Sorry" Philosophy
Tet (Lunar New Year) is the most important festival in Vietnamese culture. According to folk beliefs, events during the first days of the year set the tone for the months ahead. This explains the popular sayings "a good start leads to a good finish" (đầu xuôi đuôi lọt) and "to be cautious is to be safe" (có kiêng có lành). Even skeptics often follow these traditions to wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Common Tet Taboos
Avoid Sweeping and Taking Out Trash
Sweeping the house during Tet is believed to sweep away good fortune and wealth. Families clean thoroughly before New Year's Eve and store brooms away during the first three days. If cleaning is unavoidable, rubbish is gathered in a corner and disposed of only after the holiday ends. In southern Vietnam, some families hide brooms entirely, as losing a broom at the start of the year is thought to bring financial loss.
Avoid Lending or Borrowing Money
Lending money at the beginning of the year is seen as giving away one's fortune, while repaying debts is considered an omen of financial hardship ahead. People therefore avoid money transactions during the first days of Tet.
Avoid Breaking Things
Breaking bowls, cups, or mirrors during Tet is considered a bad omen, foreshadowing family conflicts or separation. If something breaks accidentally, people often say auspicious phrases like "broken for peace" to neutralize the bad luck.
Avoid Arguments and Negative Words
Tet is a time for harmony. Vietnamese people avoid raising voices, arguing, or mentioning unfortunate topics like illness or death. Adults also indulge children to prevent crying, as tears at the start of the year are thought to bring misfortune.
Avoid White or Black Clothing
White and black are associated with mourning, so wearing these colors during Tet is traditionally avoided. Bright colors like red, yellow, and pink are preferred for their festive and lucky connotations. However, this practice is fading in modern times, as many believe wearing what makes you comfortable and confident is more important.
Avoid Certain Foods
Some foods are avoided during Tet, including dog meat, duck meat, bananas, and fertilized duck eggs. The taboo often stems from wordplay: "banana" (chuối) sounds like "chúi" (to plunge), suggesting failure. Regional differences exist though, as northerners avoid fertilized eggs while southerners eat them to ward off bad luck.
Other Taboos and Their Humanistic Values
Additional taboos include avoiding travel on the 5th day of the new year (considered unlucky), ensuring children return home before New Year's Eve, and never refusing food or drinks when visiting someone's home. People in mourning also avoid visiting others during Tet, and families try to complete funeral arrangements before the new year or wait until the 2nd day to announce a death.
These taboos go beyond mere superstition. They encourage harmony, careful speech, respect for wealth, and family unity. Even as Vietnam modernizes, these customs persist as cultural treasures, preserving the unique spirit of the traditional Tet holiday.
