What is Tet? Getting to know Vietnam's biggest holiday
Vietnam's Tet.
Some may have heard the word. Tet refers to the Lunar New Year in Vietnam, the most important festival of the year for Vietnamese people. It's celebrated far more grandly than January 1 on the solar calendar, with the whole country wrapped in a festive mood.
2026年の旧暦元日は2月17日です。公務員・行政機関などの休暇は2月14日から22日までの9日間と政府が発表しました。一方、民間企業は操業状況に応じて日程を設定するため、すべての職場・店舗が同じ9連休になるわけではありません。この期間、多くのベトナム人が故郷に帰省し、家族と新年を祝います。
Tet is a valuable chance to touch the heart of Vietnamese culture. For travelers, however, it's also a time that calls for caution. Many shops close, transportation gets crowded, and prices rise. When visiting Vietnam at this time, advance preparation and understanding are essential.
What the city is like during Tet, and points to note
Many shops close
During Tet, many privately run restaurants and shops close.
During the first three days of the new year in particular, even large shopping centers may be closed. Government-related facilities, museums, and markets also close, so it has a major impact on sightseeing. Even major tourist spots like Ben Thanh Market may close, so it's important to check opening status in advance.
Crowded transportation and traffic jams
Around Tet, transportation is extremely crowded with the rush to return home. It's not unusual for bus and train tickets to sell out two to three weeks in advance. In big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, major roads see heavy traffic jams, especially from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day. Around Hoan Kiem Lake and on Nguyen Hue Street, you can sometimes be unable to move for motorbikes and cars.
It's wise to allow plenty of time to get around, or to consider strolling on foot.
Rising prices
「テト期間は全員の給料が3倍」という説明は正確ではありません。法定休日に勤務した場合の割増賃金規定があり、通常給与そのものが一律3倍になるわけではありません。人件費、需要、供給不足などから追加料金が設定される店はありますが、価格上昇を法律だけで説明しない方が正確です。レストランやショップの料金、交通費も通常より高くなります。例えば、ホーチミンからハノイ行きのバスは、通常の約2倍の料金になることもあります。ホテルも混雑し、料金が上がるため、現地でホテルを探す場合は特に注意が必要です。
Ways to enjoy Tet unique to the season
Enjoy the Flower Road
The biggest highlight during Tet is the Flower Road!
In major cities—Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City, around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Bach Dang Street in Da Nang, and more—streets decorated with colorful flowers appear. Nguyen Hue Street in particular has a single stretch from the People's Committee building to the Saigon River filled with vivid flowers. At night it's lit up, letting you enjoy a magical atmosphere.
Many local Vietnamese people visit too, so you can experience a lively atmosphere. Stalls and street vendors line up, bustling with people taking commemorative photos. Food art—artistic works made with ingredients—is also displayed, and you can admire magnificent pieces by chefs from luxury hotels.
Experience traditional events
元旦には、太鼓や銅鑼の音が街に響き渡ります。獅子・麒麟舞（múa lân）は、演者が獅子や麒麟の頭と衣装をまとい、太鼓や銅鑼に合わせて舞う行事です。出演者の年齢や衣装の色を「黄色い衣装の少年」と固定せず、寺院、商店、催事など開催場所ごとの案内に従って見学します。この光景は、テトならではの文化体験です。
Temples get very crowded with Vietnamese people visiting for their first prayers of the year. Places like Hanoi's Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum also bustle with many worshippers. It's a valuable chance to touch Vietnam's culture of faith.
Savor Tet's traditional dishes
Tet has special dishes.Banh chungは、もち米、緑豆、豚肉などを葉で包んで加熱する北部を代表するテト料理です。南部では円筒形のバインテトもよく見られます。家族の過ごし方や食べる料理は地域・家庭・宗教で異なるため、「全員が祖父母宅で食べる」とは一般化しません。
Othergio lua(Vietnamese-style sausage) andmut(candied fruit) and other auspicious foods line the table. These dishes can sometimes be savored at restaurants and markets open during Tet.
Recommended ways for tourists to spend Tet
Join a local optional tour
The most recommended thing during Tet is joining a local tour.
Because Vietnam's infrastructure is not fully developed, when sightseeing outside the city or in suburban areas, you can't use trains, so joining a tour is essentially a must. With a tour, the travel company, guide, and local tourist spots cooperate, so you can avoid trouble like shops being closed or transportation being canceled.
That said, some travel companies close during Tet because their guides return home. It's reassuring to check in advance.
Relax at a five-star hotel
Because hotel rates in Vietnam are relatively cheap, you can stay at a five-star hotel on a small budget. Since going out can be inconvenient during Tet, fully enjoying hotel life is one option.
高級ホテルでも、24時間ルームサービス、プール、スパ、バーが必ず揃うとは限りません。テト特別料金、食事会場の営業、子どもの追加料金、デポジット、取消条件を予約画面で確認してください。ホテル内で快適に過ごしながら、テトの雰囲気を楽しむことができます。
Visit tourist destinations in central Vietnam
テト期間中は、ベトナム中部の観光がおすすめです。ダナン周辺には、フエの歴史的建造物群、ホイアン旧市街、ミーソン遺跡といった世界文化遺産があります。世界遺産や屋外景観であっても、券売所、交通、ガイド、施設は休業・短縮営業になることがあります。
ハロン湾、ニンビン、サパなども、天候、運航、混雑、テト休業の影響を受けます。「いつも通り」と決めつけず、船、ロープウェイ、入場施設、送迎を個別に確認してください。ホイアンやフエなどの大きな観光地では、ほとんどの店が開店しているため、この時期には思い切って郊外の観光地に行くのが賢明です。
Practical points to note during Tet
Book everything thoroughly in advance
If you're visiting Vietnam during Tet, advance booking is essential. Book hotels, flights, and tours all early. Hotels in particular get crowded and rates rise, so searching on the ground should be avoided.
Bus and train tickets often sell out two to three weeks ahead, so if you're planning domestic travel, we recommend arranging it as early as possible.
Check opening status
Check the opening status of the tourist facilities and restaurants you want to visit in advance. It's important to gather information through official websites, social media, and travel companies. During the first three days of the new year in particular, many facilities close, so it's good to keep your plans flexible enough to adjust.
Watch out for pickpockets and theft
In places packed with people, take full care against pickpockets and bag-snatching. Don't carry large amounts of cash or valuables, and hold your bag firmly under your arm. Backpacks and waist pouches can have their zippers opened without you noticing, so it's wise to avoid them as much as possible.
Prepare for consulate and embassy closures
テト期間中は、日本の領事館や大使館も休館します。休館日は在外公館ごとに公表されるため、渡航時点の公式休館日を確認してください。パスポートの紛失など緊急時の対応が遅れることがあります。パスポートのコピーを別に保管するなど、万が一に備えておくことが重要です。
テト旅行の確認順序
- 公務部門の休日と、利用する企業・店舗の休日を分けて確認する
- 国内線、列車、バスは便名・日付・荷物条件まで予約する
- 元日を中心に食事先を複数用意し、ホテルの営業も確認する
- 追加料金はVND総額と対象期間を予約前に確認する
- 花火や催事は交通規制と帰路を先に決める
テトは観光イベントである前に、家族や祖先を大切にする生活上の節目です。営業していないことを「不便」とだけ捉えず、働く人にも休日がある前提で、予定を詰め過ぎない旅程にすると落ち着いて過ごせます。
Summary: the right mindset for enjoying Tet
Vietnam's Tet is the most important festival of the year.
Visiting Vietnam at this time lets you experience a special atmosphere unlike the usual. Flower Roads, traditional events, special dishes—it overflows with charms unique to Tet. On the other hand, there are also inconvenient aspects for travelers, such as shop closures, crowded transportation, and rising prices.
Advance preparation and flexible planning are the keys to a successful Vietnam trip during Tet. Consider options suited to the situation, such as joining a local tour, staying at a five-star hotel, or visiting central tourist destinations. Don't forget to check opening status, book early, and take crime-prevention measures.
Tet is a valuable chance to touch Vietnam's culture and the warmth of its people. Things may not always go as planned, but that experience itself becomes a travel memory. Do enjoy Vietnam's Tet from the bottom of your heart!
