At 8 am on the first day of the Lunar New Year (Tet), which falls on February 1 this year, most streets in Hanoi are empty, and the temperature is 12 Celsius degrees. Tet is Vietnam’s most important and longest traditional festival of the year. Tet is an occasion for family reunion. Although Tet activities in Hanoi have gradually changed over time, several beautiful traditional customs continue to be observed today in every family. The first day of the Lunar New Year is reserved for the family. Children wear their new clothes and give their elders the traditional Tet greetings before receiving the lucky money from them in exchange. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
There are none of the usual crowded and noisy scenes of trade at Dong Xuan market in the Hanoi old quarter. Whether in ancient times or today, Tet is still the biggest traditional holiday in Vietnam. Not only is it a sacred moment marking the transition between the old year and the new one, Tet also reflects Vietnamese people’s outlook on life as well as the profound and unique customs and beliefs. Vietnamese people believe that Tet marks the beginning of a new year and is a day of hope and belief in new and good things and a farewell to the old. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
As a tourist attraction, the mural Phung Hung street in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, is empty this morning. Tet is Vietnam’s most important and longest traditional festival of the year. Most Vietnamese people return home for the holiday. During Tet, Vietnamese visit their relatives and pagodas, forgetting the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider Tet to be the first day of spring. The first visitor of the New Year is an important member to many Vietnamese households as they believe that he or she will decide the luck of the host for the entire year. Usually, the visitor is a member of the family or a close friend. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
St Joseph's Cathedral is quiet on the first day of the Lunar New Year. St Joseph's Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the capital city. From Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi, visitors can easily find the St Joseph's Cathedral on Nha Chung street. The Church was designed in gothic style featuring two large towers, similar to the architecture of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It is 65 metres long and 21 metres wide with a bell tower on either side, each nearly 32 metres in height. The cathedral was named after Joseph, the patron saint of Vietnam. Its construction began in 1886 and it opened that December. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The Hanoi Old Quarter is different from itself on normal days, without the bustling atmosphere of traders. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the area is quiet with fresh air. The Hanoi Old Quarter today is a unique ancient part in Vietnam. The Old Quarter, a 36-street zone in Hoan Kiem district at the heart of Hanoi, covers approximately 100 hectares. It is bordered by Hang Dau street in the north; Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go and Hang Thung streets in the south; Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Quang Khai in the east; and Phung Hung street in the west. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A corner of Hanoi on the first day of the Lunar New Year, or Tet. “Tet” is the phonetic deformation of "Tiet", a Sino-Vietnamese term which means "Joint of a bamboo stern" and in a wider sense, the "beginning of a period of the year". The passage from one period to the next may cause a meteorological disturbance (heat, rain, mist) that must be exercised by ritual sacrifices and festivities. There are many Tets throughout the year (Mid-Autumn Vietnamese New Year, Cold Food Vietnamese New Year, etc.). But the most significant of all is "Vietnamese New Year", which marks the Lunar New Year. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
The national flag is hung in all streets and alleys of Hanoi during the Lunar New Year. For the Vietnamese people, the Lunar New Year is like a combination of Western Saint Sylvester, New Year's Day, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. It is the festival of purity and renewal. During the Tet holiday, people visit relatives and friends. The first day of Tet is for family reunion. Traditionally, but not strictly, the second day of Tet is usually reserved for friends, while the third day is for teachers, who command respect in Vietnam. Local Buddhist pagodas are popular spots as people like to give donations and to get their fortunes told during Tet. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Ta Hien street in the Hanoi Old Quarter is a popular place to gather on the first days of the New Year. Ta Hien is a small street lying in the famous Old Quarter of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake. The street stretches just 200 meters but is one of the most crowded streets in the Old Quarter. In Hanoi Old Quarter, as well as the traditional, ancient houses are cultural, historical, and religious traits, and cuisine. Ta Hien has the most specific features of both old and modern Hanoi. It has been named an “international crossroad”, drawing many foreign visitors as well as local people from Hanoi. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Tet is also an occasion for photographers to catch unique moments of the New Year. This year is the Year of the Tiger. In the culture of some Asian countries, including Vietnam, the lunar year 2022 is Nham Dan (Tiger), the third among 12 animals in the Vietnamese Zodiac sequence. Years of Nham Dan include 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034, 2046, 2058, 2070, 2082 and 2094. The tiger is considered the “Lord of the Forest”, and is a symbol of bravery. Therefore, Tiger people are thought to be brave and have strong confidence and high leadership capacity. They can endure pressure, and are willing to support people around them. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Phuong and Long are a couple from Thanh Tri district in Hanoi. They used the occasion to make a photo album of moments in the New Year days. The drizzling rain is the perfect backdrop to vivid purple mountain ebonies, pure white sua flowers, bright red silk-cotton blossoms, and many other flowers, creating a beautiful scene around the capital city. As new baby leaves appear, old yellow ones flutter in the foggy weather and evoke a sense of nostalgia among many Hanoians. Spring is considered the most beautiful season of the year. The pace of life seems slower at this time. People want to take in the atmosphere for as long as possible. (Photo: VietnamPlus 
Some people choose to enjoy a hot coffee cup on the first morning of the New Year and enjoy a quiet city. With no traffic jams, honking, or crowded and bustling scenes, Hanoi turns into a very tranquil city on the first morning of the Year of the Tiger. On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the normally crowded streets in downtown Hanoi are quiet, with few motorbikes. This is an ideal chance for local people to enjoy rare peaceful moments in the city. In a fast-moving world, Hanoians can now slow down and enjoy a slow-paced life during a week-long Tet holiday. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Others go for a run to enjoy the fresh air on the first morning of the Lunar New Year. A bustling Hanoi turns into a more peaceful and quiet city on the first day of the Tet holiday, the country’s largest festive period in the year. For Vietnamese people, the Lunar New Year is a combination of Western Saint Sylvester, New Year's Day, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. It is the festival of purity and renewal. During the Tet holiday, people visit relatives and friends. On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the normally crowded streets in downtown Hanoi are so quiet. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Many people wake up early to enjoy the fresh air around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on the first day of the New Year. According to the legend that dates back to the 15th century, King Le Thai To found a holy turtle during a cruise on Luc Thuy, or Green Lake. The turtle told the king to return the sacred sword that had helped him defeat the northern Ming aggressors, now that peace had returned. Le Thai To unsheathed his sword and threw it at the turtle. He later named the lake "Hoan Kiem" (Lake of Returned Sword). The lake is among the top destinations for foreign tourists today. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
A group of elderly people are having fun together, enjoying New Year moments. Whether in ancient times or today, Tet is the biggest traditional holiday in Vietnam. Not only is it a sacred moment marking the transition between the old year and the new, but Tet also reflects Vietnamese people’s outlook on life as well as the profound and unique customs and beliefs bearing the national culture. Vietnamese people believe that Tet marks the beginning of a new year, a day of hope and belief in new and good things and a farewell to the old. This is an ideal chance for local people to enjoy rare peaceful moments in the city. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
Hanoians take photos at Hoan Kiem Lake, an iconic lake of Hanoi. Hoan Kiem Lake, a vestige of the ancient Nhi Ha River, is a famous scenic site in the capital. It is surrounded by Hang Khay street, Le Thai To street and Dinh Tien Hoang street. Along with the old, traditional living habits of Hanoians, the new look of a Western urban area has made the lifestyle of the people more modern. That resonance has created a very unique mark for Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi's Old Quarter today. Hoan Kiem Lake and its adjacent areas are now home to historical, cultural, artistic and architectural sites. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
On the first days of the New Year, everyone wishes each other good health and the best of luck. Giving away lucky money is a traditional Tet custom through which Vietnamese people exchange their best wishes with one another, hoping for a year of peace and good luck. The giving of lucky money is a long-standing practice that represents “mung tuoi” or “li xi”, literally meaning “congratulations on a new age”. According to the book “Viet Nam phong tuc” (Vietnamese customs) by scholar Phan Ke Binh (1875 - 1921), after worshipping ancestors, descendants offer lucky money and bow twice to their grandparents and parents. In return, the seniors also give several coins as lucky money to their children. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 
During the Lunar New Year, Hanoi streets are decorated gorgeously. During Tet, most streets in Hanoi are empty, and the temperature is 12 Celsius degrees. Tet is Vietnam’s most important and longest traditional festival of the year. It is an occasion for family reunion. Although Tet activities in the capital have gradually changed over time, several beautiful traditional customs continue to be followed today in every family. Not only is it a sacred moment marking the transition between the old and the new year, Tet also reflects Vietnamese people’s outlook on life, as well as the profound and unique customs and beliefs of the national culture. This year, various measures have been applied to ensure a warm and safe festival amid COVID-19 (Photo: VietnamPlus) VNA
