Do
1. Pay all debts before Tet
Before New Year’s Eve, return all things you borrowed. People believe they will spend the whole next year in debt if they start the new year with even a tiny debt.

2. Smile
A smile could be a magical tool to light up anyone’s mood as it brings joy and enhances relationships among people. When visiting Vietnam during Tet, you’ll rarely see someone not smiling on the streets.

3. Give away lucky money and wishes
During Tet, adults are supposed to give children and the elderly lucky money, also known as “lì xì” as a symbol of fortune. Wishes are also shared with the hope that all good things come to everyone.

4. Visit temples and pagodas
Vietnam is a spiritual country, so don’t be surprised when most of the temples and pagodas are full of people during Tet. Vietnamese often go there to pray for a new year of peace and happiness

5. Wear bold, bright colors
Though people dress up every day, Tet is still a special occasion to wear new and beautiful outfits. Ao dai and colorful dresses are the preferred clothing of choice. It is believed that bold and bright colors such as red or yellow can bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year.

Don’t
1. Sweep the house
People do not sweep the house as they believe it can shoo the luck away. That is why you should clean up and decorate your house before Tet.

2. Mistreat others
As smile is encouraged, Vietnamese people neither fight nor argue with others. They tend to give away kindness, for instance, setting free birds, a tradition originated by the Buddhism’s causality idea.

3. Lend or borrow money
People avoid lending or borrowing money during Tet as it is considered a sign for a poor and unlucky year.