Feb 12, 2021
Lunar New Year 2021 (Vietnam)
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar—officially starting the Year of the Ox! Vietnamese New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết for short), marks a time to honor ancestors and look forward to prosperity in the year ahead.
This Lunar New Year marks the official transition out of the Year of the Rat–believed to be one of constant change–and into the Year of the Ox, which is traditionally associated with things moving at a more slow and steady pace. The ox is the second animal of the Vietnamese zodiac and symbolizes hard work, positivity, and fertile harvest.
Throughout Vietnam and around the world, the lunar new year is warmly welcomed with traditional foods such as bánh chưng, bánh tét, and mứt (candied fruits). Alongside special meals, many Vietnamese decorate the outside of their homes as a way to welcome the new year, like buying a cây đào (cherry blossom tree), cây mai (apricot blossom tree), or cây quất (kumquat tree) to symbolize the hope of fertility and fruitfulness in the coming year.
So take this year by the horns—here’s to this next lunar cycle being as strong as an ox!
Happy Lunar New Year! Head to Search to join in the festivities and welcome the Year of the Ox with a bang!
Early concepts and sketches of the Doodle by Sophie Diao
Where this Doodle appeared
Discover more Doodles by color
Did you know?
The very first Doodle launched as an “out of office” message of sorts when company founders Larry and Sergey went on vacation.
Learn MoreDid you know?
The first Doodle launched in 1998, before Google was officially incorporated.
Learn MoreDid you know?
The first same day Doodle was created in 2009 when water was discovered on the moon.
Learn MoreDid you know?
Doodle for Google student contest winners have gone on to become professional artists
Learn MoreDid you know?
The time it takes from sketch to launch for a Doodle varies widely: some have taken years and others just a few hours!
Learn MoreDid you know?
Hundreds of Doodles launch around the world every year. Often, several different ones are live in different places at the same time!
Learn MoreDid you know?
Our most frequently recurring Doodle character is Momo the Cat - named after a real-life team pet!
Learn More