Some things you should know about Tet in Vietnam

Nga Do
When is Tet Festival?

Tet Festival in Vietnam usually falls in late January or early/mid February. The dates vary from year to year as it is based on lunar calendar. The celebration lasts one week or longer. This year, Tet Festival is observed on February 16.

What is Tet Festival?

The full name for Tet is Tet Nguyen Dan. It is the most important and widely celebrated public festival of the year in Vietnam. It is the occasion for Vietnamese to express their respects for ancestors as well as welcoming the lunar New Year with family members. Overall, Tet holiday for Vietnam is a bit like the Spring Festival for Chinese: every family will get together to have big meals to welcome the New Year. 

How is Tet Festival celebrated?

Since Tet is the most important festival for Vietnamese, preparations for celebration begins well in advance. They make offering and pray at temples about the two weeks before and immediately after Tet because visiting temples is considered auspicious. Many families visit the graves of ancestors in the week prior to Tet. Homes are cleaned and decorated with Hoa Mai (yellow apricot blossom), Hoa Dao (peach blossom), Kumquat tree and many other colorful flowers. On the eve of Tet, they cook an abundance of food. On the first days of New Year, everybody, especially kids, wear new clothes and shoes to visit families and friends and enjoy the traditional Tet food like Banh Chung (a sticky rice cake). Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes. 

Vietnam Weather during Tet Festival

The Tet Holiday usually falls in mid January or February. Dry, bright weather is expected across Vietnam. Temperatures in the north (Hanoi, Halong Bay) will be relatively cool (avg temp: 17 °C) but higher in central Vietnam (Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Nha Trang, etc) and South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) (avg temp: 25-28 °C).

Travelling in Vietnam during Tet Holiday

What does the Tet festival in Vietnam mean for tourists? It is a particularly good time to visit in Vietnam? Should I time my Vietnam visit to avoid Tet? Many travelers have such doubts in mind. To help you make the decision, here are some facts to know about Vietnam during Tet Holiday:

1. Transportation: flights, buses and trains about 1 week before or after Tet Holiday are often booked out well in advance as Vietnamese travel a lot this time (return home/go back for work). Be sure to book early. Note: Odyssey Tours provides private vehicle for customers, so there is no need to worry about short-distance transportation.

2. Accommodation: most hotels remain open, so there is no need to worry about accommodation. However, some hotels may raise the price if you stay during Tet holiday. 

3. Sightseeing: some tourist sites remain open during Tet, but many museums, mausoleums, and indoor exhibition place and art houses will be closed at the first 3 days of Tet. The floating markets in the Mekong Delta will be closed. 

4. Restaurants: many restaurants will be closed during Tet. Therefore, Tet may not be the best time for culinary tour fans. 

5. Shops: many shops will be closed for the first few days of Tet Festival. The good news is - many products will be sold at a very reasonable price because most sellers want to start a smooth sales year. 

6. Banks: banks will be closed for the holiday. 

If you have any questions about travelling in Vietnam or want to share your experience, do not hesitate to contact us: vietnamtypicaltour@gmail.com. And if you want to learn more about Vietnam culture, or follow our blog to find out as well as update information about Vietnam tourism.

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