How young Vietnamese make a shift in Tet celebrations
Today’s Tet has evolved beyond its traditional form, reflecting the changing needs and lifestyles of young Vietnamese and becoming not only a time for family reunions but also a valuable opportunity to rest, recharge and explore life.
THE HANOI TIMES — Tet remains Vietnam’s most important festival, centered on honoring ancestors and family gatherings, but young Vietnamese are redefining it, preserving core rituals while embracing travel, relaxation and more modern ways of celebrating.
"If traditional Vietnamese Tet was about eating Tet, now it’s about enjoying Tet. I choose to enjoy Tet. For the past two years, my close friends and I have embarked on a cross-country journey for an amazing experience,” said Quang Huy, a 24-year-old IT staff from the central province of Nghe An.
Quang Huy (in red), a 24-year-old IT staff from Vietnam’s central province of Nghe An, chooses traveling to iconic spots in Hanoi to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his close friend. Photo courtesy of Huy
“On the first day of Tet, I usually spend time visiting relatives and friends. From the second or third day onward, my close friends and I typically take a trip together, broadening our view,” Huy told The Hanoi Times.
While the atmosphere of Tet remains intact, it is experienced through new and more flexible forms suited to contemporary lifestyles. Young people are focusing on their inner experiences, with many choosing simple Lunar New Year celebrations to relax and restore energy after a turbulent year.
Le Duc Trung, a 26-year-old stockbroker from the northern province of Hung Yen. Photo courtesy of Trung
Le Duc Trung, a 26-year-old stockbroker from the northern province of Hung Yen, said this holiday he and his friends plan to go camping and get away. In previous years, he visited relatives with his family. “However, I was asked a lot of difficult questions concerning marriage and income. I was uncomfortable."
“The hustle and bustle of life always makes me feel exhausted. Sometimes I need a quiet moment to recharge. Tet is the time for me to do what I like," Trung talked to The Hanoi Times.
For Bui Nguyen Thao, a 29-year-old baker in Hanoi, Tet is the longest break for her to rest after a hard-working year.
“Modern Tet still keeps traditional elements, but it is shaped by today’s fast-paced lifestyle,” Thao shared with The Hanoi Times, noting that many young people now use the long holiday to travel, shop or simply rest, sometimes sending greetings via technology instead of visiting in person.
Bui Nguyen Thao, a 29-year-old baker in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Thao
She believes Tet has taken on a new meaning for her generation - an opportunity for freedom, relaxation and new experiences - while core customs remain.
For the past three years, she has spent several days traveling before returning home in the early days of the lunar new year to visit family, maintaining traditions such as sharing Chung cake (square sticky rice cake), exchanging lucky money and sending online greetings to relatives who live far away.
Psychologists say that the way young people celebrate Tet today clearly has its own distinct characteristics, specifically as it is modern and lighter, but still manages to preserve the traditional values of Tet.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Vui, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology at the Hanoi University of Education, said that it is understandable that young people are focusing on enhancing their inner experiences and choosing to celebrate Tet simply to relax and restore energy after a turbulent year.
"Tet is a deeply meaningful national holiday, and each person chooses their own way to celebrate it. For many young people, embracing simpler, more personal experiences reflects a desire for ease and authenticity, suggesting that Tet can evolve while still preserving its core values,” Vui told The Hanoi Times.
Young people flock to the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi to take New Year photos, celebrating Tet in a more enjoyable way. Photo: Chuyen Cua Ha Noi Group
A simple Tet experience also helps the Vietnamese maintain a frugal lifestyle, especially in times of economic hardship. Reading books at home, cooking with family or camping with friends is an opportunity to connect and gather with loved ones, while also equipping people with a lot of useful knowledge.
Young people often seek new experiences and want to break away from the familiar atmosphere of traditional celebrations. Traveling during Tet can bring a sense of freedom, relaxation and exploration, helping them escape the business and stress of work, providing motivation for them to work better in the new year.
How young people celebrate Tet, whether simple or complex, should be respected as long as it does not go against the nation's customs and traditions and does not negatively affect the community.
