Lunar New Year of the Snake in Ho Chi Minh City: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

Lunar New Year of the Snake in Ho Chi Minh City: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

January 29, 2025

Lunar New Year of the Snake in Ho Chi Minh City: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

Picture this: The bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City brimming with a vibrant mix of red and gold decorations, and an air of anticipation as the Year of the Snake slithers in, promising excitement, tradition, and renewal.

Woman, man, together, love, happy, portrait, romantic, relationship, people, lovers, valentine, gift, rose, affection, flowers, nature, flora, blossom, cutout — As the old year fades, the city eagerly welcomes the promise of the new, embracing the Year of the Snake with open arms and boundless optimism.

Known as “Tết Nguyên Đán”, this holiday is the most eagerly awaited event in Vietnam, where families come together, debts are settled, and the city transforms into a dazzling spectacle. In 2025, the Year of the Snake is expected to bring intelligence, transformation, and resilience—qualities that mirror the dynamic nature of Vietnam’s economic hub.

A City Draped in Festive Colors

From mid-January, the city starts to morph. Streets are adorned with red lanterns, intricate calligraphy banners, and golden snake depictions—symbols of wisdom and prosperity.

The iconic Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street becomes a breathtaking floral wonderland, featuring displays of peach blossoms, apricot trees, and bonsai, drawing thousands of visitors eager to snap the perfect holiday photograph.

Shopping districts like Chợ Lớn (Saigon’s Chinatown) and Bến Thành Market buzz with activity as people hurry to buy gifts, decorations, and essential items for their Tết celebrations.

Stalls overflow with traditional foods, from bánh chưng (square sticky rice cakes) to the southern and the center favorite bánh tét, both filled with savory mung beans and pork, wrapped in banana leaves. The air is thick with the aroma of hịt kho hột vịt (braised pork with eggs) simmering in kitchens across the city, symbolizing warmth and family togetherness.

The Spirit of Family and Tradition

For many Saigonese, Tết is a time to return to their hometowns, leaving the city in a brief, almost surreal quietness. Those who stay take the chance to visit temples such as Jade Emperor Pagoda or Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagod, offering prayers for a prosperous year ahead. Incense curls into the air as worshippers seek blessings, while children excitedly receive lì xì (red envelopes filled with lucky money) from elders—a cherished tradition that brings joy to the youngest family members.

Households follow age-old customs, like cleaning their homes before the new year to sweep away bad luck and ensuring only kind words are spoken on the first day to guarantee a smooth twelve months ahead. Many families invite a respected guest to be the xông đất, or the first visitor of the year, believing that their fortune will influence the household’s luck for the coming year.

Festivities and Fireworks

d8dc8ec5 45ac 49f4 8037 21711678226c — The official countdown to Tết is marked by a spectacular fireworks display over the Saigon River.

The official countdown to Tết is marked by a spectacular fireworks display over the Saigon River. Crowds gather at landmarks like Bạch Đằng Wharf and Landmark 81, watching in awe as the night sky bursts into colors, symbolizing the start of a hopeful and prosperous year.

Street performances, lion dances, and traditional music fill popular spots like Nguyễn Huệ Street and Tao Đàn Park, bringing electrifying energy to the city.

Tết is also a time for cultural performances and entertainment. The city’s theaters host cải lương (southern folk opera) and múa lân sư rồng (dragon and lion dances), captivating audiences with age-old artistry.

Meanwhile, families gather to play bầu cua cá cọp, a traditional Vietnamese gambling game for good luck, while children delight in pháo giấy, and sparklers.

e9anynkn4sc — People delight in pháo giấy (confetti cannons).

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