Vietnamese New Year Wishes 2026: 150+ Tết Greetings Year of the Horse

Vietnamese New Year Wishes 2026: Celebrating Tết in the Year of the Fire Horse

Vietnamese New Year wishes 2026 mark a momentous celebration as Tết Nguyên Đán ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse (Năm Bính Ngọ). This powerful zodiac animal symbolizes energy, passion, freedom, and success—making 2026 a year of dynamic progress and bold aspirations.

Tết 2026 officially begins on February 17, 2026, with New Year's Eve (Giao Thừa) falling on February 16, 2026. The official holiday period runs from February 14–22, 2026 (7 days), giving Vietnamese people ample time for family reunions, ancestral worship, and joyful celebrations.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover over 150 authentic Vietnamese New Year wishes for 2026, learn proper pronunciation, understand Tết traditions, and explore the cultural significance of the Year of the Fire Horse.

key dates for Vietnamese New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán) 2026 — Year of the Horse:

Core Dates

Official Public Holiday Period

The Vietnamese government has declared 9 days off for Tết 2026, running from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22. 

Key Pre-Tết Dates

• Late January / Early February: Preparations begin — families clean homes, decorate altars, and buy peach blossoms (North) or apricot blossoms (South) 
• ~February 10: The broader Tết festive period begins (23rd day of the 12th lunar month — Kitchen God Day / Ông Táo), when offerings are made to the Kitchen Gods 
• February 14–16: Peak travel period as millions return to hometowns

Upcoming Vietnamese New Year Dates

Want to learn more about the Lunar New Year? Explore our Complete Guide to Lunar New Year Traditions and Celebrations for detailed insights!

How to Say "Happy New Year" in Vietnamese

The most common Vietnamese New Year greeting is:

"Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!"

Translation: "Wishing you a Happy New Year!"

Pronunciation Guide

• Chúc (Chook) – "to wish" with a rising tone
• Mừng (Mung) – "celebrate/rejoice" with a falling tone
• Năm (Nam) – "year" like "calm" with an "n"
• Mới (Moy) – "new" with a rising intonation

Pro Tip: Vietnamese is a tonal language where pitch affects meaning. Practice slowly for best results!

Understanding Tết Nguyên Đán: Vietnam's Lunar New Year

Tết Nguyên Đán, meaning "Feast of the First Morning," is Vietnam's most significant cultural celebration. Unlike the Western calendar, Tết follows the lunisolar calendar, making it a moveable holiday that typically falls between late January and mid-February.

Tết 2026 and Fire Horse Significance

Tết 2026 officially begins on February 17, 2026, with New Year's Eve celebrations on February 16, 2026. This marks the Year of the Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ), symbolizing:

• Energy and passion – The horse represents dynamic movement and enthusiasm
• Success and victory – Horses symbolize triumph in Vietnamese culture
• Freedom and adventure – Embracing new opportunities and journeys
• Fire element influence – Adding intensity, courage, and transformation

The Three Phases of Tết Celebration

Vietnamese New Year unfolds in three distinct phases:

• Tất Niên (Year-End) – Final preparations, cleaning homes, settling debts
• Giao Thừa (New Year's Eve) – Midnight transition with fireworks and first-footing traditions
• Tân Niên (New Year Days) – Family visits, gift-giving, and celebrations lasting 3-7 days

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Traditional Vietnamese New Year Wishes

Classic Tết Greetings

• Chúc mừng năm Bính Ngọ! – Happy Year of the Fire Horse!
• Năm mới phát tài! – Wishing you wealth in the new year!
• Chúc bạn sức khỏe dồi dào! – Wishing you abundant health!
• An khang thịnh vượng! – Wishing you peace and prosperity!
• Vạn sự như ý! – May all your wishes come true!
• Cung chúc tân xuân! – Respectful wishes for a new spring!
• Chúc mừng năm mới! – Happy New Year!
• Năm mới dồi dào sức khỏe! – New year with abundant health!
• Chúc phúc lộc thọ! – Wishing fortune, prosperity, and longevity!
• Tiền vào như nước! – May money flow in like water!

Tết Wishes for Family

• Kính chúc ông bà sống lâu trăm tuổi! – Respectfully wishing grandparents 100 years of life!
• Chúc cha mẹ luôn mạnh khỏe, hạnh phúc! – Wishing parents good health and happiness!
• Chúc anh chị em một năm mới thành công! – Wishing siblings a successful new year!
• Chúc cả gia đình an vui, hạnh phúc! – Wishing the whole family peace and happiness!
• Năm mới chúc gia đình sum vầy! – New year wishes for family reunion!
• Chúc gia đình mình luôn bên nhau! – Wishing our family stays together always!
• Chúc ông bà tuổi cao sức khỏe! – Wishing grandparents old age with good health!
• Chúc ba mẹ năm mới nhiều niềm vui! – Wishing parents many joys in the new year!

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Tết Wishes for Friends

• Chúc bạn năm mới vui vế, hạnh phúc! – Wishing you a joyful and happy new year!
• Sang năm mới, chúc bạn gặp nhiều may mắn! – In the new year, wishing you much luck!
• Chúc bạn thành công trong mọi việc! – Wishing you success in everything!
• Năm Ngựa chúc bạn phi nước đại! – In the Year of the Horse, may you gallop to success!
• Chúc bạn luôn tươi cười như hoa mai! – May you always smile like the mai blossom!
• Tình bạn chúng ta mãi bền chặt! – May our friendship remain strong!
• Chúc bạn năm mới gặp nhiều điều tốt lành! – Wishing you many good things in the new year!

Professional Tết Greetings

• Chúc sếp năm mới thành công rực rỡ! – Wishing boss brilliant success in the new year!
• Kính chúc quý khách hàng năm mới thịnh vượng! – Respectfully wishing customers prosperity!
• Chúc đồng nghiệp công việc thuận lợi! – Wishing colleagues smooth work!
• Chúc công ty phát triển vượt bậc! – Wishing the company outstanding development!
• Năm mới chúc kinh doanh phát đạt! – New year wishes for prosperous business!

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Tết Wishes for Children

• Chúc con ngoan ngoãn, học giỏi! – Wishing you to be well-behaved and study well!
• Năm mới chúc bé khỏe mạnh, vui tươi! – New year wishes for baby to be healthy and happy!
• Chúc các cháu nhận được nhiều lì xì! – Wishing kids receive lots of lucky money!
• Năm Ngựa chúc con phi như ngựa giỏi! – In Horse Year, may you gallop like a great horse!
• Chúc con học hành tiến bộ! – Wishing you progress in studies!
• Tết này chúc con nhiều niềm vui! – This Tết wishing you much joy!

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Fire Horse Year 2026 Themed Greetings

The Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ) brings special energy to Tết 2026. Here are Horse-themed wishes:

• Năm Ngựa chúc bạn mã đáo thành công! – In Horse Year, may success arrive immediately!
• Chúc bạn phi nước đại đến thành công! – May you gallop full speed to success!
• Năm Bính Ngọ chúc như ngựa đổi vận! – In Fire Horse Year, may fortune change like horses!
• Long mã tinh thần! – Spirit of the dragon-horse! (energy and vitality)
• Mã đáo thành công! – May the horse bring immediate success!
• Thiên mã hành không! – Heavenly horse soaring through the sky!

Tết Traditions and Their Meanings

Lì Xì (Lucky Money) Wishes

Giving red envelopes with lucky money is essential during Tết. Use these phrases when giving or receiving:

• Chúc mừng năm mới, chúc em/con lì xì may mắn! – Happy New Year, wishing you lucky money!
• Lì xì lấy may, năm mới phát tài! – Lucky money for luck, prosperous new year!
• Cảm ơn, chúc năm mới sức khỏe! – Thank you, wishing good health in the new year!

Hoa Mai and Hoa Đào (Blossom Wishes)

Yellow mai blossoms (South) and pink peach blossoms (North) symbolize Tết:

• Chúc bạn rực rỡ như hoa mai! – May you shine bright like mai blossoms!
• Chúc gia đình tươi thắm như hoa đào! – May your family bloom like peach blossoms!
• Năm mới hoa nở rộ, phúc lộc dồi dào! – New year flowers bloom, blessings abound!

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Romantic Tết Wishes

• Chúc anh/em năm mới lúc nào cũng yêu em/anh! – Wishing you to love me always in the new year!
• Năm mới chúc tình yêu chúng mình mãi bền vững! – New year wishes for our love to last forever!
• Chúc hai ta mãi hạnh phúc bên nhau! – Wishing us eternal happiness together!
• Năm Ngựa chúc mình sánh bước bên nhau! – In Horse Year, may we walk side by side!

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Short Tết Wishes for Social Media

Perfect for texts, WhatsApp, and Instagram captions:

• Chúc Mừng Năm Mới 2026! 🐴🎉
• Happy Tết! Năm Ngựa thành công! 🌟
• Tết vui, lì xì nhiều! 🧧❤️
• Năm mới phát tài! 💰✨
• Bính Ngọ 2026 - Mã đáo thành công! 🐎🔥
• Happy Vietnamese New Year! 🌸🌼

Tết Etiquette: When and How to Use These Wishes

• First-footing (Xông Đất): The first visitor of the new year brings luck, so choose greetings carefully
• Visiting elders: Use formal "kính chúc" when addressing seniors
• Giving lì xì: Always accompany with verbal wishes
• Timing: Share wishes from New Year's Eve through the 3rd day (Mùng 3)
• Avoid: Negative words or topics during Tết celebrations

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tết Wishes

What is the most common Vietnamese New Year greeting?

"Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!" (Wishing you a Happy New Year) is the universal greeting used by all Vietnamese during Tết.

When is Tết 2026?

Tết 2026 falls on February 17, 2026, marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ). New Year's Eve is February 16 2026.

What zodiac animal is 2026 in Vietnam?

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ) in Vietnamese astrology, symbolizing energy, passion, success, and transformation.

How do you respond to Tết wishes?

Respond with your own wishes! Common responses include "Chúc bạn cũng vậy!" (Same to you!) or return with a specific wish like "Chúc bạn năm mới phát tài!"

What colors are lucky for Tết?

Red and yellow are the luckiest colors for Tết. Red symbolizes luck and prosperity, while yellow represents royalty and wealth. In 2026, Fire element colors (red, orange) are especially auspicious.

What should you avoid saying during Tết?

Avoid words related to death, bad luck, debt, or negative outcomes. Vietnamese believe the first words spoken set the tone for the entire year.

Conclusion: Celebrate Tết 2026 with Meaningful Wishes

Tết 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, is a time to celebrate renewal, energy, and family bonds. Sharing Vietnamese New Year wishes is a beautiful way to honor these traditions. Whether you say "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!" or tailor your greetings to specific relationships, your sincerity will make all the difference.

The Fire Horse brings dynamic energy, passion, and the spirit of success to this year's celebrations. Use these wishes to strengthen family bonds, honor traditions, and spread joy throughout the Tết season.

Mã đáo thành công! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới 2026!