In Vietnam, the lunar calendar follows the cycles of the moon and the exact date of each New Year changes every year. Each year is symbolized by one of 12 animals.

The mouse (Ty) comes first, and it followed by the buffalo (Suu), the tiger (Dan), the cat (Meo), the dragon (Thin), the snake (Ty), the horse (Ngo), the goat (Mui), the monkey (Than), the rooster (Dau), the dog (Tuat), and the mythical animal; the mouse, the tiger, the snake and the monkey are wild animals which usually avoid humans; and the rest are domesticated animals. The cycle repeats itself every 12 years, beginning with the mouse.

People are influenced by their lunar sign, defined by the animal of their birth year. People born in the Year of the Pig are considered to be generous, gallant, kind-hearted and bold, but are usually very stubborn and have hot tempers. They are also diligent and ready to listen to other people. Therefore, in the coming Year of the Pig, many Vietnamese families are expecting babies who will become lucky, kind-hearted children bringing fortune to the family and everybody.

In the Vietnamese gastronomic culture, the pig plays an important role because many dishes have pork. All families, both rich and poor, use pork in their daily meals at well as for special occasions. Vietnamese northerners always have banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) on traditional Tet (New Year) holidays. According to legend, this cake represents the earth. The earth generates rice, beans and onions. These things feed the livestock which provide meat. Together with the meat they are used to create the core of the cake. The cake covers the core as if cherishing or protecting the source of life.

The legend reflects an economy relying on a permanently cultivated agriculture, largely based on the products of farmers and animal breeders. Offering pork dishes to ancestors on Tet holidays has become more meaningful than ever. A banh chung, a jar of pickled onions and a plate of roast pork can create a life of fullness and satisfaction, which is expected by all Vietnamese families on the first days of the new year.

Pigs have been close to Vietnamese people for a long time. They represent luck, goodness and prosperity, which are the dreams of every Vietnamese.

Round, fat pigs are reflected in Vietnamese folk paintings. The Dong Ho-style folk paintings are widely known for pictures of roosters and pigs. In the Lon nai ai day (A  sow is eating), a Dong Ho style picture, the spiral of hair on the sow’s body turns into the yin and yang symbol of ancient Oriental philosophy. In the Dan lon me con (A mother pig with its piglets), all the pigs have the yin and yang symbol on their bodies.

In the old days, the twelfth lunar month of a year was the time to sell Tet paintings. Women from Dong Ho Village in Bac Ninh Province carried two baskets of paintings on their shoulders to sell. People that went to the market to buy goods for Tet never ignored these paintings. For a little money, they could buy a painting to hang on the door to welcome the New Year. Farmers usually bought paintings of pigs and hung them on the wall, dreaming that in the New Year, their pigs would produce piglets and their families would have a full, prosperous life and good health.

Clay piggy banks remain the most meaningful symbol for saving money. Adults and children alike believe that clay pigs both save and generate money. People can hardly think that the fat, round, kind-hearted and merry pig is anything besides a symbol of a wealthy and prosperous new year. Because of this reason Vietnam, as well as many other Asian countries, expect the Year of the Pig to bring them money and wealth.

Saigon Times