Among the many taboos and rituals connected with the Lunar New Year in Viet Nam is xong dat, or “first-footing” as the Scots call it.

It is a deep-rooted belief that the first person to enter a house at the beginning of a lunar year will have a bearing on the family’s fortunes throughout that year.  As a result, rich and successful people are often invited to be the first to enter a home on New Year’s Day.

Like many other traditions, xong dat has evolved into a personal belief without a strict interpretation.  It is altered to suit each family and varies according to each region.

What has remained unchanged is the fact that a person who can bring luck should be the first-footer.
The flip side of this tradition is that Vietnamese people are chary of visiting anyone’s house early on New Year’s Day for fear they may be held responsible for any misfortunes during the year ahead.

“I still remember the year when my husband suffered from a serious illness and passed away,” an elderly woman in Ho Chi Minh City said.

“An unwanted guest visited us in the early morning of the first day and I cannot help recalling that experience.”

Who will bring luck?

There are several important qualities a family will look for to find their first-footer.  The person’s zodiac sign is the most common, especially in the northern and central regions.

According to Vietnamese tradition, each year, and a person born in that year, is represented by one of the 12 animals of the zodiac - rat, water buffalo, tiger, cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.  The hosts ask a fortuneteller to identify which animal is luckiest for a particular year and for themselves.

However, in other families the zodiac sign of the first footer is not important.

“I don’t look at the person’s sign.  As long as the person is good, healthy and cheerful, I am fine,” another elderly woman said.

“I would even prefer a family member who I can trust and know well rather than some distant relative, even if he or she has the right zodiac sign.  I want to make sure of my family’s luck.”

First-footers also need to have a bright and cheerful disposition, good health, career success, and a happy family - all things people normally aspire to in the new year.