These calendars are usually only referred to during religious holidays. Many others besides the Chinese celebrate the date, which falls sometime between the last 10 days of January and the middle of February. Preparations for the festival begin during the last few days of the last moon. Houses are scrubbed, debts are repaid, new clothes are bought and everyone gets a haircut. On New Year's Eve, a large family dinner is served.
Most folks stay up until midnight, when fireworks are lit to drive away evil spirits.
On New Year's Day, it is considered bad luck to do housework, since this activity sweeps away good luck. People also avoid using words relating to sickness and death. In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tet. Festivities last three days. At midnight on the first day, people exchange toasts of good wishes for the coming year.