Bearing the strong imprint of faith.

Like all Vietnamese families, from mid-December onwards, Catholic families are busy slaughtering pigs, making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), decorating their homes, and tidying up ancestral graves... in preparation for Tet (Vietnamese New Year). On Tet day, Catholics also wish their grandparents and parents a happy new year or visit loved ones. Catholics still cherish the beautiful traditional cultural values ​​of the nation; the difference is that they do not practice rituals with folk religious overtones such as worshipping the Kitchen God or offering prayers at the end of the year. Beliefs about house blessing or refraining from sweeping the house to retain wealth do not dominate the community's beliefs. Instead, Catholics choose to begin the new year with trust in God.

The New Year's Mass always attracts a large number of parishioners.

On the evening of the 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year's Eve), after completing their tasks, people eagerly flock to church to attend the New Year's Eve Mass. In this sacred moment of transition, the community offers thanks to God for the blessings received throughout the past year and prays for the new year with all their hope. The first days of spring continue to be marked by Masses with special meanings. On the first day of Tet, the faithful pray for peace. On the second day of Tet, following the filial piety tradition of the Vietnamese people, Catholics dedicate this day to praying for their grandparents and parents, both living and deceased. On the third day of Tet, the community hopes for the sanctification of their work, labor, and studies in the new year, wishing for success. Although this also includes remembering and praying for the souls of ancestors in the first days of the year, it still maintains the beautiful custom of "visiting the father on the first day of Tet, the mother on the second day, and the teacher on the third day."

Catholics gather to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes).

Sharing about how his family celebrates Tet (Lunar New Year), Mr. Tran Manh Hung, from Dong My parish ( Hanoi ), said: “My family prepares for Tet like any other family, from making banh chung (traditional rice cakes), cleaning the house, to gathering with children and grandchildren. But the most important thing is still going to church together at the beginning of the year, believing that peace comes from living righteously and trusting in God.”

According to Ms. Nguyen Thu Lan of Thai Ha parish (Hanoi), attending Masses at the beginning of the year helps each family member better understand the meaning of Tet (Lunar New Year). “Children are reminded of filial piety towards their grandparents and parents, of their responsibilities at work, and of how to live with love for others. For Catholics, Tet is not just a few days of spring festivities, but the beginning of a year full of blessings,” Ms. Lan said.

The tradition of picking auspicious spring blossoms is cherished, preserved, and practiced by Catholics. In the spirit of cultural integration, many churches now organize "picking auspicious verses from the Word of God." These "auspicious verses" are excerpts from the Bible, hung on peach or apricot branches placed in the sanctuary. Each verse received serves as a guiding light, illuminating the faith life of believers throughout the new year.

Do charitable work, spread love.

For Catholics, the joy of Tet (Lunar New Year) is made even more complete when it is multiplied by acts of sharing. Many parishes, sub-parishes, and social charity committees (Caritas) have actively implemented practical charitable activities in the days leading up to Tet and in the early spring, such as visiting and giving gifts to needy families, organizing "Zero-Cost Fairs," and making and distributing banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to the poor and lonely. These acts of kindness spread love, making Tet truly a season of happiness and peace.

A radiant smile and a small gift demonstrate affection and sharing with the poor and needy.

This spring holds special significance as the traditional Lunar New Year coincides with the sacred journey of Lent. According to the Catholic liturgical calendar, the second day of the Lunar New Year falls on Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026), marking the beginning of a time of repentance and grace for the entire Church. Lent reminds each believer to repent, pray diligently, fast, and abstain from meat according to Church law. This convergence helps Catholics live more virtuously, and their souls are illuminated by a profound life of faith.

The Social Charity Committee of the Archdiocese of Hanoi, together with Vinafeed Group, presented a charitable house to Vu Ban Parish, spreading the spirit of charity ahead of Lent.

The Catholic New Year celebration is a harmonious blend of national traditions and faith, creating profound humanistic values. From this foundation, Catholics not only preserve their cultural identity but also clearly understand their civic responsibilities and maintain close ties with the national community. Catholics always unite with the people of the whole country to effectively implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations, living "a good life and a beautiful faith"; actively participating in patriotic emulation movements, contributing to building national unity and making practical contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/van-hoa-cua-nguoi-cong-giao-trong-tet-co-truyen-dan-toc-1025160