“Xong Dat” – A cherished Lunar New Year tradition

Culture

“Xong Dat” – A cherished Lunar New Year tradition

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Passing down through generations and continued with equal enthusiasm today, “Xong dat” (first footing), a Tet tradition in Vietnam, has always been associated with hopes for a fruitful year ahead.

“Xong dat” (first footing) is a Tet tradition in Vietnam.

Passing down through generations and continued with equal enthusiasm today, "Xong dat” (first footing), a Tet tradition in Vietnam, has always been associated with hopes for a fruitful year ahead.

According to the tradition, the first guest to enter the house after midnight on the Lunar New Year’s Eve is believed to have a bearing on the family’s fortune throughout the year.

Many families ask a close friend or relative to carry out this New Year mission.

To ensure good luck for the house, the selected "first foot” is normally required to have zodiac signs compatible with the host. He or she should also be successful and content with life.

The invited guest usually visits the house in the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, bringing with him small gifts for the family, including lucky money in red envelops for children. He greets each member, wishing the old with longevity, businessmen with thriving prosperity, and kids with good academic achievements.

The host generously welcomes the special guest, offering the family’s best New Year treats, wine or tea.

Some families choose a member to become the first to enter the house. In this case, the "first foot” normally goes out and comes home after midnight with a spring branch, which represents year-round blessings.

Due to the belief, Vietnamese people used to avoid visiting each other in the first morning after New Year’s Eve.

The most noticeable change to the age-old tradition is that more and more people have begun to think of it as a New Year delight, rather than a sight of future fortune.

(VNA)

Other news

Yen Bai strives for a happiness index of 68.3% by 2025

A graceful Dao girl participates in a street parade during the 5th Van Yen Cinnamon Festival in 2025.

In 2025, Yen Bai aims to achieve a happiness index of 68.3%, an increase of 1.78% compared to 2024.

Yen Bai Harnesses Rural Tourism Potential

Foreign tourists experiencing shrimp basket weaving in Vu Linh Commune, Yen Binh District.

Yen Bai is blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes, pristine scenery, fresh air, and unique cultural traits. Its diverse agricultural base serves as a foundation for developing agritourism and rural tourism. In recent years, this tourism model has significantly contributed to the economic development of rural areas.

Mu Cang Chai District hosts lively 2024 Mong Panpipe competition

Teams deliver captivating and unique performances.

As part of the 2024 Mong Panpipe Festival and the To Day Flower Festival, Mu Cang Chai District recently organized the 2024 Mong Panpipe Competition.

Mu Cang Chai District to organize a video clip contest introducing the land, culture, and people of Mu Cang Chai in English

Mu Cang Chai is an ideal destination for domestic and international visitors.

The People's Committee of Mu Cang Chai District has announced a plan to organize the contest "Creating Video Clips to Introduce the Land, Culture, and People of Mu Cang Chai in English" with the theme "I Love Mu Cang Chai".

Culture