The Lunar New Year, known as Tết Nguyên Đán, is just around the corner, and as Vietnamese families prepare for the annual celebration, 2025 promises to be particularly auspicious. The Year of the Snake, represented by the celestial stem Ất Tỵ, is characterized by the element of fire, embodying vitality and renewal. Cultural researcher Pham Dinh Hai describes this year as marking a splendid opportunity for new beginnings.
The Tết celebrations are steeped in tradition, with many Vietnamese anticipating the festival's arrival by observing auspicious choices for days to travel or open businesses. According to Hai, people often prefer to venture out or conduct transactions on specific dates deemed lucky, prioritizing happiness and financial prosperity.
For 2025, the following dates are recommended for starting on new endeavors: On the first day of Tết, January 29, 2025, it is advised to avoid any significant actions like opening businesses, but if necessary, this can be done during favorable hours—specifically between 3 AM and 7 AM, 7 AM and 11 AM, or 3 PM to 7 PM. On this day, the auspicious directions are Southeast for happiness and North for wealth.
The second day, January 30, is more favorable, where activities can be performed between 7 AM and 9 AM or from 11 AM to 3 PM, with the auspicious directions being Northeast and South. January 31 marks the third day, similarly allowing activities between 5 AM to 7 AM and then from 3 PM to 7 PM, with auspicious directions being Northwest and Southwest.
Following this trend, the fourth and fifth days of the New Year will offer conditions suitable for small ventures. Notably, the fifth day should be approached carefully, as larger tasks are discouraged, with suggestions for action taken only during specific periods. On the sixth day, conditions remain favorable for ground-breaking initiatives—marking this as the beginning of fruitful engagement.
Throughout these days, it's emphasized how keeping one’s spirit upbeat and wearing neat, respectful attire reflects respect for the customs surrounding Tết, promoting both personal well-being and social harmony.
Alongside the auspicious traditions of Tết, Vietnamese culture also embraces vibrancy through television programs like "Chuyện Cuối Năm," which offers viewers reflections on the past year and hopes for the future. This year’s theme, “The Path,” explores the blend of Vietnam’s history with contemporary aspirations. The program features esteemed guests such as former ambassador Pham Quang Vinh and other historians, discussing the country's significant historical milestones and their relevance today.
This year, the program will highlight stories intertwined with the rich cultural fabric of the capital, Hanoi, with creative performances depicting traditional music styles, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
The second segment, “The Path of Heritage,” showcases performances representing regional styles, such as Chầu Văn and Quan Họ, inviting viewers on a scenic cultural tour showcasing time-honored traditions from various locales. It's expected to encapsulate not just the festive spirit but also the essence of unity and shared heritage among the Vietnamese people.
On the economic front, reports indicate heightened gold prices as families seek to invest traditional wealth leading up to the Tết holidays. Despite fluctuations globally, gold prices remain elevated within the local market, reflective of demand typically seen during Tết.
On January 28, the trading prices for SJC gold touched 87.7 million VND per ounce, showcasing the commitment to uphold cultural practices as families plan for the New Year. Local traders assert this trend aligns closely with past years, where gold typically sees peaks around Tết, culminating before the worship of Thần Tài on January 19, 2025.
The interplay between customs and economics during this festive season reinforces the values central to Vietnamese culture, marking this time as one of renewal, hope, and togetherness. The 2025 Lunar New Year will undoubtedly present an opportunity not just for individual prosperity but as a celebration of cultural unity and collective advancement.