Culture
13 Things You Strictly Must NOT Do During Tet (Tet Taboos)
Vietnam is usually forgiving, but during Tet, the spiritual stakes are high. Every action in the first three days is seen as an omen for the year ahead. Innocent acts—like sweeping the floor—can accidentally “curse” your host.
Avoid these cultural landmines with the guide below. (And for the physical challenges, like traffic and closed shops, check The Ultimate Guide to Riding Vietnam During Tet).
The Domestic Dangers (House Rules)
If you are staying in a homestay or visiting a Vietnamese family, the home is where the strictest taboos apply. The energy (“Khi”) of the house must be protected at all costs.
DO NOT Sweep the Floor (Taboo #1)
This is the most famous taboo. Legend says that sweeping the floor during the first three days of Tet is equivalent to sweeping the family’s wealth and luck out the door. You will notice brooms are hidden away. If you drop crumbs, pick them up with your hands. Do not reach for the broom!
DO NOT Throw Out the Trash (Taboo #2)
Similarly, taking out the garbage is forbidden. It symbolizes throwing away prosperity. Families will pile trash in a corner of the garden or back room for three days. As a guest, do not be helpful and take the trash bags to the curb; you are essentially throwing away the family’s money.
DO NOT Break Glass or Ceramics (Taboo #3)
The sound of breaking dishes is the sound of a “break” in relationships or business. It signals a year of separation or failure. Be extra careful with your teacups and rice bowls. If you are clumsy, maybe stick to plastic for a few days!
DO NOT Give Water or Fire (Taboo #4)
Water symbolizes wealth (“money flows like water”), and fire symbolizes the warmth and spirit of the family. If you ask a neighbor for a lighter or a cup of water, you are asking to take their wealth and spirit. Ensure you have your own supplies.
Social Etiquette (The “First Footing”)
Social interactions are choreographed carefully. Who you see and when you see them matters immensely.
DO NOT Enter a Home Uninvited (Taboo #5)
This is critical. The first person to step through the door after midnight on New Year’s Eve determines the family’s luck for the year. This ritual is called Xong Dat. Families carefully select this person (usually a successful, healthy, compatible man). If you—a random tourist—wander in uninvited on Day 1, and the family has a bad year, you will be blamed. Wait for an explicit invitation.
DO NOT Wake People Up (Taboo #6)
If you are traveling in a group, do not shake your friends awake or yell at them to get up on Day 1. It is believed that if you are woken up by someone else on New Year’s Day, you will be passive, lazy, and ordered around by others for the rest of the year. Let everyone wake up naturally.
DO NOT Cry or Grieve (Taboo #7)
Tet is a festival of joy. Crying acts as a magnet for negative spirits. Even if things go wrong—your bike has a flat tire, you get lost, or you feel homesick—try to keep a smile on your face in public. The “Vietnamese Smile” is your shield during Tet.
DO NOT Talk about Death (Taboo #8)
Words have power. Avoid topics like accidents, illness, or death. Do not tell “dark humor” jokes. Keep the conversation light, positive, and focused on prosperity, health, and beauty.
Financial Faux Pas (Money Matters)
Money is a central theme of Tet, but the flow of money must be handled with specific care.
DO NOT Borrow or Repay Debts (Taboo #9)
You should not lend money or borrow money during the first days of the year. If you borrow, it means you will be in debt all year. If you lend/repay, it means you will be paying out money all year. Settle all your bills (including your motorbike rental balance!) before Tet begins.
DO NOT Haggle (Taboo #10)
Haggling is a national sport in Vietnam, but not during Tet. If you haggle with a seller on the first day of the year and walk away without buying, you have “jinxed” their shop. They believe they will suffer from difficult customers all year. If you ask the price, buy it. Or better yet, just pay the asking price as a “lucky tip” for the New Year.
DO NOT Give “Odd” Lucky Money (Taboo #11)
When giving Li Xi (Red Envelopes), avoid giving amounts with the number 4 (which sounds like “death”) or odd numbers (which are associated with funerals). Stick to even numbers (50k, 100k, 200k, 500k). Also, never use old, crumpled notes. Tet money must be crisp and new.
Appearance and Consumption
You are what you wear, and you are what you eat.
DO NOT Wear All Black or White (Taboo #12)
In Vietnamese culture, white is the color of death/funerals, and black is the color of evil/darkness. Wearing an all-black or all-white outfit on Day 1 is seen as incredibly gloomy and disrespectful. Pack something red, yellow, or blue. If you only have black biker gear, try to wear a bright scarf or t-shirt over it.
DO NOT Eat Squid, Duck, or Shrimp (Taboo #13)
Specific foods are avoided because of their metaphorical meaning:
- Squid (Muc): “Den nhu muc” (Black as ink/bad luck).
- Duck (Vit): Separates from the flock (loneliness/bad business).
- Shrimp (Tom): Swims backwards (your career will go backwards).
- Stick to: Chicken, Pork, and Banh Chung!
The Rider’s Code (Road Taboos)
For the motorbike traveler, the road has its own set of spiritual rules during this time.
DO NOT Honk Aggressively
The streets are quiet, and the mood is peaceful. Aggressive honking, revving your engine, or shouting road rage is seen as spreading bad energy. Ride gently. Flow like water.
DO NOT Rush
“Hastiness leads to failure.” Rushing on the first day sets a frantic pace for the year. Take your time. Drive slowly. Enjoy the scenery. This is the one week where nobody is in a hurry—join them.
DO NOT Argue with Police
If you are pulled over (common for drunk driving checks during Tet), stay incredibly polite. Arguing with an authority figure on Day 1 is a terrible omen for your legal luck in the coming year. Smile, apologize, and show respect.
FAQ
What happens if I accidentally sweep the floor?
Don’t panic. You won’t be deported! But your host might look visibly stressed. Just apologize immediately (“Xin loi”) and stop what you are doing. A sincere apology helps restore the harmony.
Can I wear jeans?
Yes, blue jeans are fine. The taboo is specifically against all-white (funeral) or all-black (mourning/evil) outfits. A black t-shirt with blue jeans is acceptable, though a red t-shirt is much better!
Is it okay to say “Happy New Year” to strangers?
Absolutely! This is encouraged. Shout “Chuc Mung Nam Moi!” (Happy New Year) to people you pass on the road, to security guards, or to kids waving at you. It spreads joy and luck.
Can I buy things on the first day?
Yes, but be a “easy” buyer. Don’t pick up 10 items, inspect them, criticize them, and then walk away. If you touch it and engage the seller, try to buy something small to “open their sales” for the year.
Are these rules the same in North and South Vietnam?
Mostly, yes. The core taboos (Sweeping, First Footing, Arguments) are universal. However, food taboos vary. For example, Southerners avoid bananas (Chuoi) because it sounds like “sliding/failing,” while Northerners love bananas on their altar. When in doubt, ask your guide!
Riding Through a Landscape of Luck
Navigating Tet isn’t just about avoiding traffic; it’s about navigating the invisible web of culture that holds the country together. While these taboos might seem superstitious to a Western mind, respecting them shows a deep appreciation for your hosts.
When you wear a red shirt, pay the full price with a smile, and wait for an invitation before entering a home, you aren’t just a tourist anymore; you are a welcome guest. You are participating in the collective hope for a better, brighter year.
Ready to ride into a lucky year?
Book your Motorbike Rental with us (before the holiday starts!) and experience the magic of Vietnam responsibly.