San Diego Tết Festival

Year of the Fire Horse
Năm Bính Ngọ

2026 is the year of the Fire Horse in the Vietnamese zodiac. The year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027.

Fire Horses (1966, 2026) are energetic, independent, and adventurous. They possess strong leadership qualities and are known for their passion and determination. Fire Horses are natural risk-takers who thrive on challenges and are not afraid to pursue their dreams with vigor.

Horses are known for their free-spirited nature and love of travel. They are social creatures who enjoy being around others and are often the life of the party. Horses work best when given freedom and independence, and they excel in careers that allow them to express their creativity and leadership. Good career choices for Horses include entrepreneur, explorer, athlete, performer, journalist, and salesperson.

According to the Vietnamese zodiac, the Horse matches the Tiger and Dog the most. Those at their Fire Horse age can wear clothes with red, orange, yellow, and green colors to obtain more fortune and money. On the other hand, they should avoid incompatible colors, including blue and black. Lucky numbers are 3, 4, and 9.

Tết Nguyên Đán
Vietnamese New Year

Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year) is Vietnam’s most important festival. Based on the lunar calendar, it typically falls between mid-January and late February, coinciding with Chinese New Year.

This family-centered celebration traditionally spans 3-7 days, during which families reunite, share festive meals, and exchange New Year’s greetings. The name “Tết Nguyên Đán” refers to the feast of the first morning of the lunar calendar.

In Vietnam, most people receive five days off to travel home and celebrate with extended family, making it the year’s most significant family gathering.

Before Tết

Before Tết, Vietnamese families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and bad spirits. They also prepare special foods and gifts for guests and relatives.

During Tết

During Tết, Vietnamese families prepare a special feast to welcome visiting relatives and friends, exchange greetings and best wishes for the New Year. The first day of Tet, however, is typically reserved for the nuclear family. On this day, children will receive red envelopes with money from their older relatives.

After Tết

After Tết, families visit pagodas and temples to pray for good luck and prosperity in the new year.

Decorations for Tết

Decorations for Tết feature red and gold colors symbolizing prosperity. Common items include paper lanterns, dragons, flowers, and traditional plants. Peach blossoms and kumquat trees are popular in northern Vietnam, while yellow Mai flowers are preferred in central and southern regions. These plants symbolize fertility and good fortune for the coming year.

How to say “Happy New Year” in Vietnamese

In Vietnamese, the phrase “Chúc mừng năm mới” (Chúc mừng = Happy, năm = year, mới = new) is commonly used to convey wishes for a prosperous new year. The phrase is pronounced as “Chook moong nahm moi.”