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What is ‘Khai Xuan’? Unveiling the Beautiful Traditions of the New Year

"Unveiling the Secrets of Khai Xuan: Embracing Vietnam's Captivating Cultural Traditions" The allure of Khai Xuan, a time-honored Vietnamese tradition, beckons us to explore its essence. This enchanting custom holds the key to unlocking a vibrant cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Vietnamese rituals and festivities. Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery as we unravel the mysteries of Khai Xuan and explore the exquisite customs that mark the beginning of a new year.

Administrator

9 August, 2024

The tradition of welcoming the new year, or ‘Khai Xuan’, is a special practice in Vietnamese culture. It is a time filled with meaningful activities and rituals, all with the intention of bringing good fortune, prosperity, and smooth sailing for the year ahead. So, let’s delve into the world of ‘Khai Xuan’ and discover the beautiful customs that mark this festive occasion!

1 What is ‘Khai Xuan’?

‘Khai Xuan’ translates to “opening spring,” and it encompasses a series of activities to welcome the new year. This includes rituals such as , , ‘Khai But’ (the first writing of the new year), or the new year celebration itself.

Among these activities, ‘Khai But’ holds a special place in Vietnamese culture. Right after the new year strikes, people carefully and thoughtfully write their first lines, be it poetry or wishes for the year ahead. This tradition is believed to bring academic success and luck in examinations.

For more insights: Check out the best timings and directions

Understanding ‘Khai Xuan’

Explore: Selecting for the year of the Dragon

2 The Significance of ‘Khai Xuan’

In Vietnamese tradition, ‘Khai Xuan’ is more than just a celebration; it is a sacred ritual. For businesses and companies, especially, it is a time to come together and solemnly welcome the new year. This ceremony is believed to bring not only prosperity but also strengthen the bond between members and boost employee morale.

A grand ‘Khai Xuan’ ceremony at a company

3 Beautiful Customs for ‘Khai Xuan’

‘Khai Xuan’ can take many forms, and here are some meaningful activities to consider for your new year celebrations:

Lucky Money

During the first days of the new year, it is customary for children to give lucky money, or ‘li xi’, to their elders, wishing them health and longevity. In return, the elders give ‘li xi’ to the children, hoping for their obedience, academic success, and good fortune.

Exchanging lucky money

This heartwarming tradition is all about good intentions, and the amount of money is not important. It is the thought that counts!

First Ploughing

For farmers, the first ploughing of the year, or ‘Khai Cay’, is a special way to welcome the new year. The first furrow symbolizes the hard work and creativity of Vietnamese agriculturalists.

First ploughing of the year

Temple Visits

Paying a visit to temples and pagodas during the new year is a long-standing tradition in Vietnam. People believe that offering prayers and respects at these sacred places will bring good luck and peace for the year ahead.

Visiting temples during the new year

First Writing

As mentioned earlier, ‘Khai But’, or first writing, is a special new year ritual. People often write poetry or new year wishes after the new year strikes or on the morning of the first day of the new year.

First writing of the new year

Discover: Writing tips and best timings for the year of the Dragon

4 Choosing an Auspicious Day for ‘Khai Xuan’ in 2024

According to ancient customs, the day chosen for ‘Khai But’, starting work, or ‘Khai Xuan’ is of great importance, especially for those in business. Picking an auspicious day to start the new year in 2024 is believed to bring smooth sailing, prosperity, and success in all endeavors.

Feng shui experts suggest that the spring season is an ideal time for grand openings and new beginnings. Combining this belief with the folk saying, “a good start makes a good ending,” people choose specific dates and times for their ‘Khai Xuan’ ceremonies, hoping to align their personal energy with the universe’s energy for a prosperous year. Here are some auspicious dates and times for ‘Khai Xuan’ in 2024:

2nd day of Tet (Sunday, February 11, 2024): Auspicious hours include the hour of the Ox (01:00 AM – 03:00 AM); hour of the Dragon (07:00 AM – 09:00 AM); hour of the Horse (11:00 AM – 01:00 PM); hour of the Goat (01:00 PM – 03:00 PM); hour of the Dog (07:00 PM – 09:00 PM); and hour of the Pig (09:00 PM – 11:00 PM).
4th day of Tet (Tuesday, February 13, 2024): Auspicious hours include the hour of the Tiger (03:00 AM – 05:00 AM); hour of the Rabbit (05:00 AM – 07:00 AM); hour of the Snake (09:00 AM – 11:00 AM); hour of the Monkey (03:00 PM – 05:00 PM); hour of the Dog (07:00 PM – 09:00 PM); and hour of the Pig (09:00 PM – 11:00 PM).
7th day of Tet (Friday, February 16, 2024): Auspicious hours include the hour of the Tiger (03:00 AM – 05:00 AM); hour of the Rabbit (05:00 AM – 07:00 AM); hour of the Snake (09:00 AM – 11:00 AM); hour of the Monkey (03:00 PM – 05:00 PM); hour of the Dog (07:00 PM – 09:00 PM); and hour of the Pig (09:00 PM – 11:00 PM).
9th day of Tet (Sunday, February 18, 2024): Auspicious hours include the hour of the Rat (11:00 PM – 01:00 AM); hour of the Ox (01:00 AM – 03:00 AM); hour of the Rabbit (05:00 AM – 07:00 AM); hour of the Horse (11:00 AM – 01:00 PM); hour of the Monkey (03:00 PM – 05:00 PM); and hour of the Rooster (05:00 PM – 07:00 PM).

Choosing an auspicious day for ‘Khai Xuan’ in 2024

This article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to ‘Khai Xuan’, including its meaning and beautiful customs. We hope you found it informative and insightful. Stay tuned for more interesting reads like this one!

Frequently asked questions

Khai Xuan is a traditional Vietnamese ceremony that marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. It is a time-honored practice that involves rituals and customs to welcome the arrival of spring and the new year, seeking blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness.

The rituals performed during Khai Xuan vary across regions in Vietnam, but some common practices include: Opening the Book of Fortune, where a respected elder or the head of the family reads predictions and fortunes for the coming year, offering guidance and insights; Offering prayers and respects to ancestral altars and paying homage to family lineage; Conducting a ceremony to invite the God of Wealth into the house, bringing blessings of abundance and prosperity for the new year.

Khai Xuan holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Vietnamese. It is believed that the rituals bring good fortune, drive away bad luck, and honor the family’s ancestors. The ceremony also symbolizes a fresh start, a time to leave behind any negativity from the previous year, and embrace the new year with optimism and positive energy.

The Khai Xuan ceremony reflects the strong cultural values that are integral to Vietnamese society. These include a deep respect for elders, as demonstrated by the role they play in the rituals; a strong sense of family and ancestral reverence; and a belief in seeking blessings and positive energy for the community and loved ones.

Yes, traditional decorations and symbols play a significant role in the Khai Xuan ceremony. These include vibrant spring couplets (Đoàn Xuân) posted on doors and walls, featuring auspicious wishes and poems; decorative parallel sentences (Câu Đối) that convey blessings and good fortune; and the prominent display of peach blossoms and kumquat trees, which symbolize longevity, prosperity, and new beginnings.