5 Lunar New Year Traditions for You to Try

Growing up with Asian traditions as a first-generation American, I never fully appreciated the efforts my parents made to celebrate our culture’s holidays. Lately, I have been reconnecting with my asian culture and I feel as though everything in my life is reminding me of my childhood. From falling asleep during prayers at the temple to feeding grapes to Buddha statues, there are so many humorous moments to recollect.

At this point in my life, I find that sharing my culture and experiences helps me to transform into a more authentic versions of myself. Writing posts like this and planning photoshoots to highlight my dual identity, are things that I hope will encourage others to embrace the stories that sculpt their identity. When you’re done reading about my Lunar New Year traditions, look for inspiration around you and support your local Asian businesses.

Homemade Cuisines and Delicacies

Food is the main attraction for so many celebrations, it’s no wonder that smelling a dish or dessert can transport me back to my childhood memories of Lunar New Year. If you feel the spirit of the holidays is best shared in the kitchen, I recommend you try cooking from scratch some of the all time favorites. For my family, home made egg rolls are a must. Did you know, in Vietnamese temples and homes, egg rolls are often more common than dumplings? While there is a lot of Chinese influence in how southeast Asian countries celebrate, there are some minor details that are not widely known.

Popular items that are fun to try if you’re new to celebrating: stick rice and mung bean cakes, moon cakes (traditionally more common for Mid Autumn Festival), various dried fruits or candies sometimes crystallized with sugar, and more!

Temples or Monasteries

Not all Asians practice Buddhist traditions around the big holidays like Lunar New Year and Mid Autumn Festival, but going to Buddhist Temples or Monasteries is common for celebration. Usually there are two to three days of celebration with programs, music, and performances like dragon dances or lion dances. For people who are aware of important figures in the Buddhist community, there are often opportunities to meet with or hear from famously recognized monks who are known for sharing their meditations and philosophical advice.

For children, the common practices are lighting incense for prayer, attending a meditation and prayer session, or playing traditional games (sometimes simplified versions of gambling games).

I’m not sure if other kids had the same experience as me, but I associate Lunar New Year with fortune tellers and astrology. My aunties and I bond over our commitment and loyalty to fortune tellers. You might believe that fortune telling is a dying business and astrologists wouldn’t be able to live without their devout customers, but I’m not sure my aunties and I would survive without our yearly predictions.

Other fun cultural differences is how lunar calendar years are distinguished by elements and animals.

As you may know, every lunar year has a different zodiac animal — there are 12 total in the zodiac cycle. This year I am especially jazzed that we have returned to an ox year, which is also my zodiac animal.

Lucky Red Envelopes

In Vietnamese, the tradition is known as giving a lì xì. Usually families will give these envelopes to children, and its sad when you age out of the practice. Although, the tradition serves to give blessings or good fortune and money to anyone who is unmarried. I won’t be able to sway my parents, but maybe you’ll find yourself lucky!

By the way, the envelopes don’t have to be red! I actually prefer the pastels.

Karaoke

The sheer amount of exposure I had to karaoke as a child probably should scare me away from singing and music, somehow I’m just as obsessed with it as everyone else in my family. Now, I’m not sure if this is a tradition for everyone but it is commonly known that Asian people take advantage of opportunities to karaoke. Karaoke bars are wildly popular in Asian countries for a reason!

In household celebrations, there would be a long que of songs and hilarious performances as some adults would drink late into the night. I can’t imagine a family gathering for Lunar New Year without a struggle to keep the karaoke machine running and children trying to hide as their aunts and uncles sing folksongs (think the “Secret Tunnel Song” from Avatar: The Last Airbender but much more sad).

By the way! Karaoke is such a perfect stay at home activity for celebrations!

Vietnamese Traditional Áo Dài

Most people think of Chinese New Year and traditional Chinese clothes like the cheongsam or qipao because Chinese New Year is more commonly used than Lunar New Year. FYI: Chinese New Year is typically a fifteen day celebration, whereas other countries that follow the lunar calendar may only celebrate for two or three days

Vietnamese New Year is known as Tết, and our traditional dress is áo dài. Like in my photo, the áo dài outfit is designed as a chemise, that typically has slots in the side, and it’s meant to be worn with pants. I will admit that I used to detest wearing the custom outfits my mom made. I felt confined by the stiff high collar and the silky jacquard fabric. Now, I love seeing newer designs and colors that match my style better. Also, the crowns and hair pieces are my new obsession.

Cute story: while I was buying my dress, a little girl ran up to me and started feeling the fabric. She kept exclaiming “wow, so pretty, so magical.” I love that she can look forward to wearing a modern áo dài when she is older.