“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

The Status of Key Agricultural Products

Bamboo Shoot Production and Processing at Yen Thanh joint Stock Company, Yen Binh District

Thanks to continuous efforts in improving quality, diversifying product offerings, and promoting trade, Yen Bai’s key agricultural products have achieved remarkable results, making significant contributions to the province’s socio-economic development.

Mu Cang Chai Strives to create 1,300 New Jobs

In 2025, Mu Cang Chai District aims to create 1,300 new jobs.

In 2025, Mu Cang Chai District aims to send 70 workers abroad, achieve a vocational training rate of 67.9%, certify 26 trained workers, transition 400 workers from agriculture to non-agriculture sectors, and support vocational training for 390 workers from impoverished, near-poor households and ethnic minority groups.

Yên Bái has increased forest planting by 30% compared to the same period last year

Yen Bai forest rangers guide local residents in afforestation techniques.

In the first two months of the year, the province planted over 2,880 hectares of concentrated forests, marking a nearly 30% increase from the same period in the previous year.

Helping Ethnic Minority Communities Develop Their Economy

The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a house for Mr. Ban Thua Tien's family, a low-income household facing housing difficulties, took place in Giang Cai Village.

As a highland commune facing difficulties, with over 90% of its population being ethnic minorities, Nam Lanh Commune in Van Chan District has consistently focused on implementing policies to support production development, ensure stable livelihoods, and improve the well-being of ethnic minority communities. These efforts have contributed to poverty reduction and enhanced the material and spiritual lives of the people.

Culture