For decades, Western media has commonly used the term "Chinese New Year" as a default to refer to the Lunar New Year celebration observed by several Asian nations.

Historian David Lei, a board member of the Chinese Historical Society of America, notes that the first wave of Chinese immigrants in the mid-1800s introduced New Year traditions from their homeland. In 1871, Belleville, New Jersey, home to the first Chinese community on the US East Coast, held one of the earliest recorded New Year celebrations, marked by extensive fireworks. This early and significant presence firmly linked the Lunar New Year concept to Chinese culture in Western perceptions.

Dragon dance on Market Street during Chinese New Year in San Francisco, US. *Santiago Mejia/AP*.

NBC News reports that this equation is facing pushback from other Asian communities, who are striving to assert that their New Year is not a version of Chinese New Year.

Cultural experts highlight fundamental differences in nature and celebration between Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year specifically denotes the customs and traditions of the Chinese people. Lunar New Year, conversely, encompasses all New Year festivals based on lunar calendar systems observed by various ethnic groups.

The international community's confusion often stems from the notion that the lunar calendar originated in China, implying that all nations using this system are celebrating Chinese New Year. This interpretation inadvertently erases the distinct identities of countries like Vietnam or South Korea, where their New Year carries unique spiritual essence and values.

Polish tourists experience making traditional banh tet during Tet in the Mekong Delta. *Bich Phuong*.

In Vietnam, the most important holiday of the year is called Tet Nguyen dan, or simply Tet. Vietnamese culture features specific traditions such as making banh chung and banh tet, displaying peach and apricot blossoms, and notably, a 12-animal zodiac that includes the cat (instead of the rabbit) and the buffalo (instead of the ox or cow), unlike China.

In South Korea, Seollal is more formal and subdued compared to the lively atmosphere of Chinese New Year. Instead of vibrant red and fireworks, Koreans focus on family rituals. A distinctive feature is tteokguk, a rice cake soup, where finishing a bowl is considered to add one year to one's age. People wear elegant traditional Hanbok, perform Charye (tea ceremonies) to honor ancestors, and play folk games like Yut Nori. For Koreans, Seollal is a time for reflection and gratitude, embodying an identity entirely different from the Chinese "Spring Festival." These unique characteristics affirm that each nation has its own "New Year," even if they share the same calendrical timing.

Beyond cultural aspects, calendrical factors also contribute to the ambiguity. Many mistakenly believe Lunar New Year occurs only once a year in January or February. Lunar New Year is a global term, with no fixed date or time across all cultures. Mongols, Muslims, and Jews all use their own distinct lunar calendar systems with entirely different New Year calculations. Labeling all these as Chinese New Year is not only culturally inaccurate but also calendrically incorrect.

Centuries of cultural exchange have created similar imagery, such as lucky red colors or lion dances, sometimes blurring the lines between the two concepts in the eyes of the international community. The current trend among international organizations and global brands is to adopt the term "Lunar New Year" to demonstrate inclusivity and respect for diversity. This shift aims to help the international community recognize more clearly that Tet is a shared value among many peoples, yet each group defines and celebrates it distinctly.

In modern communication, clearly distinguishing between these two terms demonstrates cultural sensitivity and understanding. When referring to the Chinese New Year, "Chinese New Year" can be used. However, when speaking of the holidays of Vietnamese, Koreans, or other Asian communities, using "Lunar New Year" or their specific names like "Tet" or "Seollal" is the minimum way to show respect for each nation's unique identity in the context of globalization.

Mai Phuong (According to China Highlight, NBC News)