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17 Vietnamese Lunar Holidays to Celebrate in 2022

The Vietnamese lunar calendar holds a special place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, with festivals like Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year), Ancestor Worship Day, and the Full Moon of the Seventh Month providing invaluable opportunities for family reunions and bonding. Despite their cultural significance, many Vietnamese, surprisingly, remain unaware of these important celebrations.

Administrator

14 July, 2024

Vietnam has a plethora of traditional festivals and events that are celebrated annually according to the lunar calendar. Here is a comprehensive list of important lunar holidays and Vietnam’s public holiday schedule for the year 2022.

1. Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)

Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a beloved tradition that has been preserved and celebrated by generations of Vietnamese people. In 2022, Tet will be celebrated from January 1st to January 3rd in the lunar calendar, corresponding to February 1st to February 3rd in the solar calendar.

As proposed by the Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, employees will be entitled to a 9-day holiday, starting from Saturday, January 29th, 2022, and ending on Sunday, February 6th, 2022, in the solar calendar (from January 27th to February 6th in the lunar calendar).

Stay tuned for more interesting articles on our website!

For further reading: A Comprehensive Guide to Public Holidays in Vietnam

2. Khai Ha Ceremony

Khai Ha Ceremony

The Khai Ha Ceremony is held after Tet Nguyen Dan as a ritual to bid farewell to ancestral spirits returning to heaven. While traditionally performed on the 7th day of the first lunar month, modern families may opt to hold the ceremony anytime between the 3rd and 10th day of the lunar year.

3. Via Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor’s Birthday)

Via Ngoc Hoang

On the 9th day of the first lunar month (February 9th in the solar calendar), Vietnamese of Chinese descent observe a unique custom known as Via Ngoc Hoang, or the Jade Emperor’s Birthday. The number nine, or “Cửu,” represents the utmost, and it is believed that only the Jade Emperor possesses the power to govern the vast universe.

4. Via Than Tai (God of Wealth’s Birthday)

Via Than Tai

The God of Wealth’s Birthday, or Via Than Tai, falls on the 10th day of the first lunar month, which is February 10th in the solar calendar for the year 2022. Folklore tells of the God of Wealth descending to Earth and losing his memory, only to regain it upon returning to heaven on the 10th day of Tet. During his time on Earth, he brought good fortune to those who treated him kindly.

As a result, people began worshipping him on this day, hoping to attract wealth and luck for the coming year.

5. Tet Nguyen Tieu (Upper Yuan Festival)

Tet Nguyen Tieu

Tet Nguyen Tieu, also known as the Lantern Festival or Rằm Tháng Giêng, is celebrated from the night of the 14th to the 15th day of the first lunar month (February 15th in the solar calendar).

Although it is not an official public holiday, many people take the opportunity to visit temples and pray for blessings and good fortune for the upcoming year.

For further reading: Tet Nguyen Tieu – What is it and What is its Significance?

6. Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival)

Tet Han Thuc

Tet Han Thuc, or the Cold Food Festival, takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, which is April 3rd, 2022, in the solar calendar. This festival provides a wonderful opportunity for families to gather and make traditional bean cakes for ancestral worship.

For more insights into the significance of Tet Han Thuc, feel free to explore the pages of Bach Hoa XANH!

7. Hung Kings’ Temple Festival

Hung Kings’ Temple Festival

The Hung Kings’ Temple Festival is an annual event held on the 10th of March in the solar calendar to honor the Hung Kings and express gratitude for their contributions to the country’s foundation and preservation.

As the festival falls on a Sunday in 2022, employees will be entitled to an additional day off on Monday, resulting in a 4-day holiday from April 8th to April 11th in the solar calendar.

8. Buddha’s Birthday

Buddha’s Birthday

The 15th day of the fourth lunar month is considered the birthday of Buddha, and a significant number of Vietnamese follow Buddhist teachings. Thus, on this day, Buddhists across the country celebrate Buddha’s Birthday with various rituals and ceremonies.

While April 15th in the solar calendar (May 15th, 2022) is not a public holiday, many people still visit temples to offer incense and pay their respects to Buddha.

9. Tet Doan Ngo (Double Fifth Festival)

Tet Doan Ngo

Tet Doan Ngo, or the Double Fifth Festival, is an ancient cultural tradition in Eastern civilizations that continues to hold significance in modern Vietnamese society.

The 5th day of the fifth lunar month, corresponding to June 3rd in the solar calendar for 2022, is when people gather to pay respects to their ancestors and enjoy traditional rice cakes.

10. Le That Tich (Qixi Festival)

Le That Tich

The Qixi Festival, or Le That Tich, is celebrated annually on the 7th day of the seventh lunar month, symbolizing love and commemorating the tale of Niu Lang and Chu Nu. According to Vietnamese folklore, the meeting of Niu Lang and Chu Nu during this period is marked by the rain of Ngâu, representing their tears of longing.

For a deeper dive into the legend of Niu Lang and Chu Nu, feel free to explore the pages of Bach Hoa XANH.

11. Ram Thang Bay (Ghost Festival)

Ram Thang Bay

The seventh lunar month is associated with the Ghost Festival, a tradition originating in China and adopted by various Asian countries, including Vietnam. The Ghost Festival commences on the 1st of July in the lunar calendar and concludes on the 30th. During this period, people offer prayers and incense to their ancestors, with the peak of the festival occurring on the 15th day, known as Ram Thang Bay.

12. Vu Lan Festival

The Vu Lan Festival, observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, is a significant Buddhist holiday that emphasizes filial piety and gratitude towards parents and ancestors.

In the year 2022, the Vu Lan Festival will fall on August 12th in the solar calendar. During this time, many people choose to eat vegetarian meals, recite Buddhist scriptures, and release flower lanterns as a form of tribute.

13. Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival)

Tet Trung Thu

Tet Trung Thu, also known as the Children’s Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month and is eagerly anticipated by youngsters. This festival is marked by children carrying colorful lanterns, lion dances, and various performances like acrobatics and music. In 2022, Tet Trung Thu will be celebrated on September 10th in the solar calendar.

14. Tet Trung Cuu (Chongyang Festival)

Tet Trung Cuu

True to its name, Tet Trung Cuu, or the Chongyang Festival, occurs on the 9th day of the ninth lunar month. This festival celebrates longevity, as indicated by the repetition of the number nine. While less widely observed in contemporary Vietnam, Tet Trung Cuu was once a prominent cultural tradition.

15. Tet Thuong Tan (Winter Solstice Festival)

Tet Thuong Tan

Tet Thuong Tan, or the Winter Solstice Festival, is a celebration of the harvest and a time to honor farmers. It takes place on the 10th day of the tenth lunar month annually, which corresponds to November 3rd in the solar calendar for 2022. This festival serves as a reminder to pay tribute to the ancient farmers who ensured a bountiful harvest.

16. Tet Ha Nguyen

Tet Ha Nguyen

According to folklore, on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month, heavenly beings descend to Earth to assess the good and bad deeds of humanity and report their findings to the Jade Emperor. In 2022, Tet Ha Nguyen will be observed on November 8th in the solar calendar, a day when people express gratitude to their parents and ancestors through gifts and offerings.