The preparations for the 2025 Lunar New Year are well underway, showing both the cultural vibrancy and economic aspirations tied to this significant celebration. Vietnam has initiated ambitious measures to support its workforce as the Tet holiday approaches, with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) allocating VND100 billion (approximately US$3.9 million) to help its members shop online.
This initiative aims to support about 200,000 workers during Tet, the country’s largest traditional festival. The funding, as stated by the VGCL, will be distributed through vouchers worth VND500,000 to eligible workers who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to labor initiatives or those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The online Tet market, available at chotet.congdoan.vn, opened on December 20, 2024, and will run until January 20, 2025, featuring over 1,500 products, including food, beverages, decorations, clothing, and more, with discounts ranging from 10% to 67% below regular prices.
On the other side of the Chinese border, preparations for the Spring Festival are igniting excitement. China Media Group (CMG) has unveiled its promotional material for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, which is renowned as the world’s most-watched TV program since its inception. With the upcoming Year of the Snake theme, this gala will hold special significance, being the first celebration since the designation of the Spring Festival as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The gala traditionally brings families together through music, dance, and performances, and this year, it promises to be particularly memorable for viewers around the globe. CMG’s announcement highlights this essence: "The gala for the upcoming Year of the Snake will be particularly special because it will mark the first celebration after the recognition of Spring Festival as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage."
Meanwhile, news reports indicate there is looming excitement and substantial travel demand anticipated during the extended Lunar New Year holiday, which now spans eight days starting from January 28, 2025. This adjustment, motivated by the aim of enhancing consumer spending, is expected to invigorate the tourism sector. Leading travel agencies have noted extraordinary early bookings for flights and group tours, showcasing substantial enthusiasm among travelers. Tuniu, one of China’s primarily travel operators, observed group travel bookings spike by 40% compared to just the previous week.
Eager travelers will face skyrocketing airfare as prices are expected to soar by 80 to 90% during the week leading up to the holiday from January 23 to 27. Accordingly, the anticipated rise reflects how deeply ingrained travel is during this traditional period. Lin Huanjie, dean of the Institute for Theme Park Studies, noted, "Consumers’ strong enthusiasm for travel was likely to continue throughout next year," thereby signaling positive growth for the tourism sector, projected to rise by over 5% this year.
The convergence of Tet preparations, the cultural significance of the Spring Festival Gala, and the impending surge in holiday travel all reflect not just celebrations but the underlying hopes and traditions shared across generations. Communities will gather to honor the past and look forward to burgeoning prosperity and togetherness. All across Vietnam and China, these celebrations promise to be filled with joy, nostalgia, and optimism, as families prepare to welcome the Year of the Snake with open hearts and ambitious aspirations.
