Vietnamese Lunar Calendar Converter — Zodiac & Tết

How to use the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar Converter

The Vietnamese zodiac — 12 animals with Vietnamese names

The Vietnamese zodiac (Can Chi) uses the same 12-year cycle as the Chinese zodiac but with Vietnamese names. Furthermore, the key difference is that position 4 — the Rabbit in Chinese — is replaced by the Cat (Mão) in Vietnamese. The reason for this substitution is debated: one theory suggests that the Vietnamese word for Rabbit sounded like "Mão" which also means Cat in Vietnamese.

How the Vietnamese lunar calendar works

The Vietnamese lunar calendar follows the same astronomical cycles as the Chinese calendar. Furthermore, Tết Nguyên Đán falls on the same day as Chinese New Year — the second new moon after the winter solstice. The 12-year zodiac cycle uses Vietnamese names but identical timing to the Chinese cycle.

Worked example: Year of the Cat 2023

In 2023, China celebrated the Year of the Rabbit. Vietnam celebrated the same year as the Year of the Cat (Mão). Tết 2023 fell on 22 January 2023.

What is the Vietnamese lunar calendar?

The Vietnamese lunar calendar (Âm Lịch) follows the same astronomical principles as the Chinese calendar. Furthermore, it governs Tết, Tết Trung Thu and traditional ancestral observances. The calendar uses the same month-length system as the Chinese calendar — alternating 29 and 30-day months with occasional 13th intercalary months.

Vietnam uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes. Furthermore, the lunar calendar governs traditional and religious observances. Most families consult the lunar calendar for ancestor memorial days, festivals and auspicious date selection. Moreover, the Lịch Vạn Niên (perpetual almanac) is widely consulted for these calculations.

Tết — the Vietnamese New Year

Tết Nguyên Đán is Vietnam's most important national holiday. Furthermore, it is a multi-day celebration involving family reunions, ancestor worship and traditional foods. Families clean homes, buy flowers and prepare traditional foods for the celebration. Furthermore, peach blossoms decorate northern homes while yellow apricot blossoms are used in the south. Moreover, Tết celebrations span the first 15 lunar days — the official holiday covers the first 5.

Why the Vietnamese lunar calendar matters

Vietnam is a major Southeast Asian economy and manufacturing hub. Furthermore, Tết is the longest national holiday period — significantly reducing business activity for weeks. Supply chain teams must plan ahead — production and shipping capacity drops significantly before and after Tết. Moreover, Tết dates shift each year with the lunar calendar, requiring annual planning updates.

The Vietnamese diaspora — over 5 million people in the US, Australia and France — celebrates Tết globally. Furthermore, community events and restaurant bookings revolve around the Tết calendar. Moreover, knowing the Vietnamese zodiac animal helps craft culturally appropriate New Year marketing.

The unique Cat year in Vietnamese marketing

The Vietnamese Cat year (Mão) creates distinct marketing opportunities compared to the Rabbit year in Chinese markets. Furthermore, Vietnamese New Year (Tết) products in Cat years feature cat imagery rather than rabbit imagery — while simultaneously, Chinese New Year products for the same year feature rabbits. Moreover, brands serving both Vietnamese and Chinese consumer segments must produce different creative for the same lunar year when it is a Cat/Rabbit year.

Frequently asked questions

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