---
title: "Tết with a Vietnamese Family: What to Say and Do"
description: "Tết 2027 with a Vietnamese family in Da Nang: New Year wishes, lì xì etiquette, the ancestral altar, Central Tết foods and a sample visit."
canonical: https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide/tet-with-vietnamese-family/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-07
publisher: "Gia sư Việt Trí (Viettrigroup Co., Ltd.)"
---

[Learn Vietnamese in Da Nang](https://vietnameseindanang.com/index.md)  [Da Nang Life Guide](https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide.md)  Tết with a Vietnamese family

# Tết with a Vietnamese family: what to say and do

Tết is the heart of the Vietnamese year. Arrive with the right wishes, give lì xì the right way, and watch the whole family smile when you speak.

Updated 6 October 2026 · 7 min read · by the teachers at Gia sư Việt Trí

![Yellow hoa mai blossom with a red Tết card](https://vietnameseindanang.com/assets/img/guide/tet-hoa-mai-600.jpg)

## Tết 2027 at a glance

Lunar New Year 2027, the Year of the Goat, begins on Saturday, 6 February 2027. Families gather on New Year's Eve ( **giao thừa**) and spend the first three days ( **mùng một, mùng hai, mùng ba**) visiting parents, grandparents, relatives and friends.

Homes glow with yellow apricot blossom ( **hoa mai**), a five-fruit tray ( **mâm ngũ quả**) on the ancestral altar, and plates of candied fruit for every guest. Every visit starts with good wishes, so a few lines of Vietnamese go a very long way.

## Words to know

- **Tết** Lunar New Year
- **giao thừa** New Year's Eve
- **mùng một** the first day of Tết
- **chúc Tết** to give New Year wishes
- **lì xì** lucky money
- **bao lì xì** red envelope
- **bàn thờ** ancestral altar
- **thắp nhang** to light incense
- **mâm ngũ quả** five-fruit tray
- **hoa mai** yellow apricot blossom
- **bánh tét** log-shaped sticky rice cake
- **mứt** candied fruit
- **xông đất** first visitor of the year
- **năm mới** new year
- **may mắn** luck

## Phrases you'll use

- **Chúc mừng năm mới!** Happy New Year!
- **An khang thịnh vượng!** Peace and prosperity!
- **Vạn sự như ý!** May everything go as you wish!
- **Sức khỏe dồi dào!** Wishing you abundant health!
- **Con chúc ông bà sống lâu trăm tuổi.** I wish you a long life, grandma and grandpa.
- **Con chúc ba mẹ năm mới mạnh khỏe, an vui.** Happy New Year, mum and dad: health and joy.
- **Năm mới phát tài nha!** Wishing you a prosperous year! (to friends)
- **Con xin phép thắp nhang cho ông bà.** May I light incense for the ancestors?
- **Dạ, con cảm ơn ạ.** Thank you. (receiving lì xì, with both hands)
- **Mời cả nhà ăn cơm.** Everyone, please, let's eat.

## Your first visit on mùng một

**Mẹ của Lan** your partner's mother. Example conversation.

1. Con chào bác! Con chúc bác năm mới mạnh khỏe, an khang thịnh vượng. Hello! Happy New Year: good health, peace and prosperity.
2. Ôi, nói tiếng Việt giỏi quá! Vào nhà đi con. Oh, your Vietnamese is great! Come in.
3. Dạ, con có chút quà Tết biếu hai bác. I brought a little Tết gift for you both.
4. Cảm ơn con. Con thắp nhang cho ông bà nha. Thank you. Please light incense for the ancestors.
5. Dạ, con xin phép. Of course, with your permission.
6. Lì xì đầu năm cho con, chúc con năm mới may mắn! Lucky money for the new year. Good luck this year!
7. Dạ, con cảm ơn bác ạ! Thank you so much!

## The Da Nang version

Tết in Da Nang has a Central flavour. These words and dishes show up at every family table.

- **mạ** = mẹ, mum (Central): "Con chúc mạ năm mới mạnh khỏe."
- **o** = cô, auntie: "Con chúc o năm mới vui vẻ!"
- **bánh tét** the Central and Southern Tết cake, a log of sticky rice, mung bean and pork
- **dưa món** sweet and sour pickled vegetables, a Central Tết favourite
- **bánh tổ** Hội An's sweet sticky rice cake for Tết
- **tré** a tangy Central-style pork roll, served with herbs

## Lucky habits for Tết

- Give lì xì in crisp new notes, inside a red envelope, to children and elders.
- Receive lì xì and gifts with both hands, and say " **Dạ, con cảm ơn ạ**".
- Bring a gift when you visit: a fruit basket, tea, candied fruit or a box of cakes.
- Wear bright, happy colours, especially red and yellow.
- Keep every word cheerful during the first days: good wishes bring good luck.
- Many shops rest for the first three days, so stock up on food the week before.

## Say your Tết wishes in Vietnamese this year.

Groups of four with a certified teacher, $8 an hour, with a Vietnamese buddy included. Your first lesson is on us.

[Book my free lesson](https://vietnameseindanang.com/#book)

## More from the Da Nang Life Guide

- [**At the bank** Accounts, transfers, exchange](https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide/bank-da-nang.md)
- [**At the police** Residence, lost items, traffic](https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide/police-da-nang.md)
- [**Renting a motorbike** Rental, petrol, flat tyres](https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide/rent-motorbike-da-nang.md)
- [**The full guide** Phrases, food, places, quiz](https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide.md)

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- Site index for agents: https://vietnameseindanang.com/llms.txt
- Up: https://vietnameseindanang.com/da-nang-life-guide.md

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