The Tet Festival, more precisely known as Tết Nguyên Đán, literally means the beginning of fieldwork, which is synonymous with the new season and the arrival of Spring, but also the festival of the new encounter between Yin & Yang. Like the Chinese , Korean and Malaysian New Years, the Vietnamese New Yearis based on the lunar calendar. As a result, the Tet Festival takes place on the same date in all these countries.
The date differs each year according to the lunar calendar. It begins with the first moon, when the sun enters the sign of Pisces, always between January 20 and February 19. This year, it takes place on Saturday, February 10, 2024.
Although the dates coincide with those in China, this doesn't mean that the traditions in Vietnam are the same as in China. Vietnam has lived for hundreds of years under the yoke of Chinese imperial dominance, so many customs remain similar, yet ancestral local practices have remained the order of the day, and today their particularities are maintained in the country as they are throughout the world for the Vietnamese community.
The New Year is a particularly important time for the Vietnamese, the most important of the year. It's a time for family, friends and festivities, and is celebrated over several days: 3 days normally, and up to 15 days in Vietnam.
During this period, the Vietnamese clean their houses thoroughly (this is where the term "spring cleaning" comes into its own). They clear away all the bad things of the past year to make way for the new one, thus promoting happiness and good fortune in the future. During the New Year, sweeping, cleaning and throwing out the rubbish are avoided, as they would be synonymous with money, happiness and good fortune, thrown down the drain. The Altar of the Dead is also cleaned and incense burned to welcome their spirits home at this time.
The first person to enter your home is very important. He or she is supposed to bring happiness and good fortune to the family for the coming year. So avoid arriving unannounced at a Vietnamese home at the crack of dawn on New Year's Day if you haven't been invited to do so, as you'll be responsible for anything that happens to the family during the year. It's customary to choose the right person to bring happiness to the household.
According to tradition, we also buy budding branches. If they bloom at this time of year, it's also a sign of good luck and happiness. For 3 days, festivities and good cheer are the order of the day. In fact, it's believed that whatever happens on New Year's Eve will be repeated throughout the year. That's why it's best to avoid getting worked up, and instead focus on the good times.
Traditionally made for children, but now available to everyone, red pouches are widely distributed at this time of year. Known as"Li Xi", these pouches are filled with money and bring good luck to the person to whom they are given and who wishes us a Happy New Year on this occasion. Legend has it that, in the past, demons used to harass children at night, giving them fever just by touching them. Eight fairies transformed themselves into coins, wrapped in red cloth, and drove the demons away from the children. Today, these red envelopes are a sign of good luck for those who receive them. In Vietnam, it's customary to start with family on the first day, then friends on the second and then teachers on the 3rd.
Traditionally, pagodas are visited to wish peace, tranquility, health and good fortune, and to commune with the dead. In Paris, we head for the largest pagoda in the Ile-de-France region, the Khang Anh pagoda in Evry, headquarters of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Europe, the Khuông Viêt pagoda in Massy or the Trúc Lâm pagoda in Villebon-sur-Yvette. Lucky red pouches with a few pennies in them and vegetarian dishes for all are often the order of the day.
Then it's on to an interesting part: the culinary specialities. For Vietnamese New Year, square-shaped bánh chưng or oblong bánh tet are de rigueur. These savory cakes are made with glutinous rice, mung beans and pork, all steamed and wrapped in a banana leaf. These two traditional cakes pay homage to the ancestors, Heaven and Earth. Boiled chicken, egg rolls, Gio Lua (Vietnamese sausage), xoi (sticky rice) and candied fruit are also eaten on this occasion.
In Paris, to get your hands on them, head for well-known 13th arrondissement stores such as Paris Store and Tang Frères, as well as Pâtisseries such as de Choisy and de Saison. They're also available from street vendors in the 13th arrondissement at this time of year, but do so at your own risk.
As we said, Vietnamese New Year is celebrated at the same time as Chinese New Year, so it's an integral part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Paris. Here are some of the highlights of this year's celebrations in Paris, especially for the Vietnamese community.
Lunar New Year 2024 at Hoba, entertainment programme
The Lunar New Year, and in particular the Chinese New Year, is celebrated at Hoba on February 10, 2024. A mini festival awaits you, with calligraphy, yoga, an exhibition, origami, karaoke and cooking classes. [Read more]
Têt, the Vietnamese New Year 2024 at the Opéra de Massy
A major event for the Vietnamese community, the Têt Festival, which celebrates the Vietnamese New Year and in particular the Lunar New Year, awaits you at the Opéra de Massy this Sunday, February 18, 2024. Shows, a parade of dresses, gourmet specialities, games, dancing and stalls are on the program for this event celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Wooden Dragon. [Read more]
Vietnamese New Year - Lunar, Tet 2024 at Pavillon Baltard
To celebrate Vietnamese New Year in Paris, head for the Pavillon Baltard this Saturday, February 3, 2024. This not-to-be-missed event for the Vietnamese community is back to celebrate Têt in the Paris region. On the program: entertainment, shows, buffet, games and dancing. [Read more]
Club Barrière: the temple of gambling on the Champs-Elysées
Want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a casino, right in the heart of Paris? Head for Club Barrière 104 Champs-Élysées! Located on the most beautiful avenue in the world, this is a gaming club with a hushed atmosphere. Poker fans can look forward to a wide range of cash games and tournaments. Fans of quid pro quo games can wager at the Punto Banco, ultimate poker, Sic Bo or Blackjack tables. From April 11 to 27, Club Barrière Paris invites players to take part in a unique competition for a chance to win one of the many sporting prizes. [Read more]
Dragons and Lanterns Festival: the Jardin d'Acclimatation luminous stroll, last days!
The Dragons and Lanterns Festival continues until March 3, 2024. We're off to the Jardin d'Acclimatation to discover the grandiose lanterns and light structures of Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden. An experience never before seen in Europe, where dragons and fantastical creatures come to life along a family-friendly nocturnal stroll, fusing Chinese culture with the soul of Paris for an unforgettable spectacle. A winter wonderland that lights up the park. [Read more]
Chinese New Year Parade Paris 13th arrondissement 2024, photos
The famous Chinese New Year parade in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, also known as the Lunar New Year, made a comeback on Sunday February 18, much to our delight. Discover the images of this event, which brought together the many people who braved the bad weather. [Read more]
Chinese Lunar New Year Paris 13e 2024: the program with parade and entertainment
The 13th arrondissement of Paris celebrates Chinese New Year with 2 weeks of entertainment, from February 8 to 25, 2024. Immerse yourself in this culture from the other side of the world through exhibitions, shows, concerts and other activities, not forgetting the famous festive parade. [Read more]
Chinese New Year at Bastille: shows, food and entertainment await you this weekend
Chinese New Year celebrations await you at Bastille this Saturday, February 17, 2024: food market, shows, exhibition and creative animations for a rich cultural day, are on the program. [Read more]
Chinese New Year parade in Paris at Faubourg Saint-Honoré 2024
This year, the Comité du Faubourg Saint-Honoré is once again celebrating Chinese New Year and in particular Lunar New Year 2024 with a colorful parade this Tuesday, February 13, 2024. [Read more]
Chinese Lunar New Year at the Jardin d'Acclimatation, parade and lion dance
The Jardin d'Acclimatation will be hosting a wide range of events on Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11, 2024, to celebrate the Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year in particular. Shows, dances, creative stands and a parade in traditional dress are all on the program. [Read more]
Chinese New Year parade in Asnières-sur-Seine
A Chinese New Year parade, show and entertainment await you in Asnières-sur-Seine on February 10, 2024, at Square Gilbert Thomain. A vibrant event, under the sign of the Wooden Dragon, not to be missed. [Read more]
Chinese New Year parade - Lunar on the Champs-Elysées 2024 - images
This Sunday, February 4, 2024, while the Champs-Élysées was pedestrianized, a dragon dance parade was on hand to celebrate the Lunar and particularly Chinese New Year. [Read more]
Chinese New Year - Lunar 2024 in Triel-sur-Seine, Yvelines (78): parade and entertainment!
Triel-sur-Seine is pulling out all the stops this Saturday, February 10, 2024, to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year! Chinese village and entertainment from midday, followed by a parade of dragons, a dance and kung-fu show, fireworks and even a dance party! [Read more]
Family preview of the animated film "Le Royaume des Abysses" at the Jardin d'Acclimatation
This Saturday, head to the Jardin d'Acclimatation for an exceptional day, featuring the premiere of an animated film and a festival of Asian-themed illuminations for the whole family to enjoy! [Read more]
Chinese New Year - Lunar: free dragon dance and calligraphy workshop at la Samaritaine
The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, takes over La Samaritaine on Saturday February 10, 2024. Let yourself be carried away by the traditional dragon dance that will parade in front of and through the floors of the department store, and discover the art of calligraphy during free workshops with calligrapher Jianfei. Come and enjoy this unique day with family and friends under the sign of the Dragon! [Read more]
Chinese Lunar New Year at the Musée Cernuschi: a weekend of free events
To mark the Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year in particular, the Musée Cernischi is offering free events for families on Saturday February 10 and Sunday February 11, 2024. Why not make the most of it? [Read more]
Chinese New Year parade in Noisy-le-Grand and 2024 animations, the program
Like Paris, Noisy-le-Grand also celebrates Chinese New Year. A festive event that brings the city's streets to life. On Sunday, February 25, 2024, there will be a parade, shows and entertainment, and free events from February 4 to 23. [Read more]
Chinese New Year menu 2024 at Imperial Treasure Paris
Chinese gourmet restaurant Imperial Treasure is celebrating Chinese New Year 2024 with a special menu, to be enjoyed from Friday February 9 to Sunday February 11, 2024. It's the perfect way to start the Year of the Dragon at this refined address on the Champs-Elysées. [Read more]
Chinese New Year 2024 at Chinagora, menu, fireworks and lion dance
Like every year, Chinagora, the quintessential Chinese hotel in the Val-de-Marne region of Paris, celebrates Chinese New Year. This year, fireworks and lion dancing await you once again on Friday February 9 and Saturday February 10, 2024. [Read more]
Chinese New Year parade at Aubervilliers 2024
Just outside Paris, Aubervilliers is also celebrating Chinese New Year - Lunar New Year this year. Asia will be in the spotlight with a parade and entertainment on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. A festive event not to be missed. [Read more]
Lunar New Year 2024: Traditional Chinese & Vietnamese specialties to find in Paris
On the occasion of Lunar New Year 2024, discover the traditional specialties to be enjoyed during this unmissable celebration, as well as the addresses in Paris where they can be found. [Read more]
Lunar New Year 2024 pastries - Chinese New Year and where to buy them in Paris
To mark Lunar Chinese New Year 2024, we're taking a tour of Paris's pastry shops and sweet spots to treat ourselves and awaken our taste buds to new Asian flavors. [Read more]
Chinese New Year 2024 at the Shangri-La Paris: lion dance, exotic brunch and festive menu
To mark Chinese New Year 2024, the Shangri-La Paris has put together a program to celebrate the Year of the Wooden Dragon. Lion dancing, a festive brunch at the Bauhinia and an exceptional menu at the Shang palace are all on the program. [Read more]
Lunar New Year 2024 at the Belleville Food Market
Building on the success of previous editions, the Food Market is celebrating the Lunar New Year again this year, on Thursday February 15, 2024. The aim? To showcase authentic Chinese and Asian gastronomy. [Read more]
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages 2023-2024, the lantern festival plunges us into Asia - our photos
Thoiry Lumières Sauvages returns from October 29, 2023 to March 11, 2024, with a new, even more enchanting itinerary. This year, almost 500 new Chinese lanterns will illuminate the gardens of the Château de Thoiry for a magical stroll in the heart of nature, with Asia as the theme. [Read more]
Panda Panda, the trendy Chinese restaurant a stone's throw from Belleville
Panda Panda is Belleville's excellent Chinese restaurant. On the menu, cuisine inspired by Hong Kong and Taiwan, modernized, generous and frankly delicious. [Read more]
Bêp Viêt, the delicious vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant in Paris 13th arrondissement
Bêp Viêt is the name of a new Vietnamese restaurant that has opened near Avenue d'Italie in Paris's 13th arrondissement. The menu features a short selection of Vietnamese cuisine's flagship flavors and specialties, but without the meat. We've tested it and we'll take you on a tour... [Read more]
Viêt Bun, a journey for the taste buds: discover the authenticity of Hanoi in Clichy (92)
Le Viêt Bun in Clichy la Garenne plunges us into a world of authentic Vietnamese flavors, where the simplicity of the décor conceals exceptional cuisine. [Read more]
Didi Saïgon, the Vietnamese and Thai restaurant that awakens the taste buds in Val-de-Marne
Looking for a delicious Vietnamese and Thai restaurant in Val-de-Marne (94)? We've set out to discover Didi Saïgon, this new temple to Southeast Asian gastronomy which has opened its doors in Villiers-sur-Marne. With its spacious dining room and generous, authentic dishes, Didi Saïgon is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. [Read more]
Le New Hao Khoan, the Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, a sure bet in the 13th arrondissement
New Hao Khoan is the Asian canteen hidden in a courtyard in Paris's 13ᵉ arrondissement that's been sure to delight us for decades. From Chinese ravioli soup to Vietnamese Loc Lac stir-fried rice, Thai salad and Peking duck, we're in for a treat. [Read more]
Le Cambodge, the hearty address for affordable Cambodian and Vietnamese specialities
Just a ten-minute walk from the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, or right next to the Convention stop (line 12) in the 15th arrondissement, it's the perfect neighborhood address for a quick, low-cost lunch or dinner! [Read more]
Saigon d'Antan, the authentic Vietnamese restaurant Paris 6th arrondissement, near the Jardin du Luxembourg
Saigon d'Antan is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant located near the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, offering an authentic Vietnamese experience. This popular restaurant in the Odeon district is always busy, and is the perfect place to enjoy Pho and Banh Xéo in the heart of Paris. [Read more]
Têt, the contemporary eco-responsible Vietnamese restaurant
Located in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, Restaurant Têt offers a unique contemporary and eco-responsible Vietnamese gourmet experience. This is the place to be for those seeking to combine authentic flavors with an ecological approach. [Read more]
Mam From Hanoi, the Vietnamese restaurant where to eat a good pho
How about a good Vietnamese restaurant like at home? Direction mắm from HanoÏ, this family restaurant in Paris 2e, which serves good egg rolls and good pho, accompanied by Vietnamese coffee. [Read more]
La Jonque d'Or, an ultra-affordable counter near the Champs-Elysées where you can travel to East Asia
La Jonque d'Or is the secret address to enjoy good East Asian dishes just a step away from the Champs-Elysées for an ultra affordable price! We take you to discover this gourmet counter where good mood and good flavors reign. [Read more]
Entre 2 Rives, the typical Vietnamese restaurant of Opera
Looking for a good Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Paris? Go to Entre 2 Rives, the Vietnamese restaurant located in the Opera district since 2005. You can taste good traditional dishes with some novelties. [Read more]
Nonette, The Hood's banh-mi and donut counter
Nonette, the banh-mi counter signed by the team at The Hood, has just opened its doors opposite the first address. On the menu: mouth-watering banh-mi and original, regressive doughnuts! [Read more]
Happy Tet to all and Happy New Year of the Wood Dragon!
