2023 and the Year of the Rabbit or Cat

The Lunar New Year celebration, Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnamese New Year, happens in three weeks (January 22). Get ready for the year of the Cat in Vietnam (there is no Rabbit, like China has, in Vietnam’s 12-sign lunar zodiac calendar). Rabbit/Cat people…enjoy!

We enjoyed a Gregorian-calendar (December 31) New Year’s Eve dinner at a traditional Hue Vietnamese restaurant, Nha Hang Tib. For reference, Vietnam was first unified in 1802. Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious center under the royal Nguyen Dynasty, from 1802 to 1945. Lanterns lit the way to a royally delicious meal.

Shrimp and ginger in rice paper
BBQ eel and shrimp in fish sauce

Following dinner, we joined a fete on our hotel rooftop where we toasted to a new year. A few blocks away locals packed the park to watch live bands and a very brief fireworks display. Video screens filled with animations and scooter traffic never stopped!

We witnessed some of the day after; workers sleeping and families taking photos in front of cat displays. We made our day about self-care with massages and Vietnamese delicacies. Happy New Year!

2 thoughts on “2023 and the Year of the Rabbit or Cat

  1. Happy new year Wendy and david!!!! Fabulous blog, I was most excited for the Hoi An part. Glad you made it to the red Bridge cooking school, I hope you enjoyed it. You may know (or not even care) Barbara Walters died as did Pope benedict.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Happy New Year from Sarasota!
    Loving your posts. Here’s to 2023! Safe travels and happy adventures till we meet again!
    Probably in the land of ‘ Florida man’ lol. Xxx Jane Alec Gus and Louie

    Liked by 1 person

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