Let’s learn about some Vietnamese customs that are essential on the 2nd day of Tet.
1. Visiting Extended Family
Visiting extended family is one of the customs that cannot be missed on the 2nd day of Tet. In the past, there was a saying “Father on the 1st day of Tet, Mother on the 2nd day of Tet, Teacher on the 3rd day of Tet”. This saying reflects the traditional cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people, implying that the 2nd day will be for visiting extended family.
On the 2nd day of Tet, the whole family gathers together. They eat together, chat, and exchange New Year’s wishes for luck and peace.
2. Going Out for Luck
According to folk beliefs, going out for luck is an important custom on the Tet holiday. On this day, you can choose a direction, time, and means of transportation to leave your house. The meaning of going out for luck is to pray for everything to go smoothly in the new year, to encounter good luck and auspicious things throughout the year.
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For example, if you go north, you will encounter the God of Wealth and have a prosperous year ahead. If you go southeast, you will meet the God of Joy, indicating that romance will go smoothly and favorably.
3. Ancestor and Deity Worship
Worshipping ancestors and deities is also an important custom during the early days of the new year. According to the tradition, from New Year’s Eve to the 3rd day of Tet, offering ancestral and deity worship cannot be missed. In every family, there is an ancestral altar.
This is an act of gratitude and respect for ancestors and deities, wishing for a peaceful new year with the family. During these days, families must light incense to invite ancestors and deceased relatives to enjoy a meal and celebrate Tet with the family.
4. Visiting Temples
Visiting temples at the beginning of the year is one of the spiritual and cultural beauties in Vietnamese Tet customs. People usually go to temples in the early days of the new year to pray for luck and peace.
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Visiting temples on the 2nd day of Tet is a good way to sincerely send prayers to the Buddhas, deities, and express gratitude to the ancestors and spirits. Here, you will find peaceful moments after a long time of busy work and daily worries.
5. Going Sightseeing
In addition to traditional cultural activities, you can also spend time sightseeing with siblings, friends, and relatives. This is also a way for people to gather and have time to enjoy each other’s company. They can exchange New Year’s wishes for a lucky and beautiful new year.
Some popular sightseeing destinations during Tet are fairs, flower streets… Famous tourist destinations are also places that many people choose to go sightseeing during Tet. You can immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Northwest region like Sapa, Lao Cai, Ha Giang… Or enjoy the warm spring atmosphere, full of sunshine and beautiful flowers in places like Da Lat, Hoi An, Nha Trang.
6. Rest and Relaxation
Tet is also a special occasion for us to rest and relax after a year of hard work and fatigue. You can take the opportunity to rest and relax during these days.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2nd Day of Tet
Is the 2nd day of Tet 2024 good or bad?
According to the lunar calendar, the traditional 2nd day of Tet in 2024 is the day of the year of the At Ty (Wood Snake). Here is some information about the 2nd day of Tet 2024:
- Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch: At Ty – Binh Dan Month – Giap Thin Year
- Hoang Dao Day: Kim Duong Star
- Truc Binh: Good for everything (Nhị thập bát tú – Phòng: Hành: Thái Dương; Con vật: Thỏ)
- Solar Term: Mid-Spring – Water poet
- Auspicious Direction: It is recommended to go southeast to meet the God of Wealth, go northeast to meet the God of Joy.
The 2nd day of Tet 2024 is also a relatively good day suitable for important activities such as going out, breaking ground, worshipping, and getting engaged, for example.
What are the good hours on the 2nd day of Tet 2024?
- Good hours for At Ty Tet Giap Thin: Ngo (11:00-13:00);Mui (13:00-15:00); Tuat (19:00-21:00), Hoi (21:00-23:00); Suu (1:00 – 3:00); Thin (7:00-9:00).
- Bad hours for At Ty Tet Giap Thin are: Ty (23:00-0:59), Dan (3:00-4:59), Mao (5:00-6:59), Ty (9:00-11:59), Than (15:00-17:59), Dau (17:00-19:59).
Fruit plates: left or right on the altar?
According to folklore, the fruit plate on the altar should be placed in a suitable position to create balance, bringing peace and prosperity to the family.
When to offer flowers? The beauty and fragrance of lilies confused many worshippers.
Lilies are a popular and prestigious flower, but they are only offered for worship in certain places and many people are still unaware of this.
Is it lucky or unlucky to have a home or company near a temple? How to receive blessings and prosperity from the Buddha for wealth and success?
When it comes to buying or renting a business location, many people wonder whether having a religious structure such as a temple or shrine nearby is considered lucky or unlucky.
A Tool in the Incense Bowl That Many Homes Are Using Wrongly: Check if Your Home Is One of Them!
Many households tend to release sand into the incense bowl, but this approach is not correct. Please refer to this guide for a better understanding of the issue.
Who are the three people that are “instructed very carefully: ‘These three people will not go to visit the graves of future generations’?”
In the fields of physiognomy and astrology, individuals of these types should not visit gravesites. Let’s explore who these individuals are, shall we?
