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.
Tet in 2026 falls onTuesday, February 17.Because it's based on the lunar calendar, the date changes every year. The Tet holiday period is announced by the government, and in 2026 it runsas a nine-day holiday from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22.During this period, many Vietnamese people return to their hometowns to celebrate the new year with family.
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
During Tet, the law requires that Vietnamese workers' wages be tripled, and prices rise accordingly. Charges at restaurants and shops, as well as transport fares, are higher than usual. For example, a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi can cost about twice the normal fare. Hotels also get crowded and rates go up, so particular caution is needed if you're searching for a hotel on the ground.
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
On New Year's Day, the sounds of drums and gongs ring out across the city. In a traditional event called "mua lan" (unicorn dance), boys in yellow costumes go from house to house playing instruments, praying for a year of happiness. This sight is a cultural experience unique to Tet.
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 chungis a traditional dish similar to Japanese chimaki, made by wrapping glutinous rice, pork, and mung beans in leaves and steaming them. It's customary for the whole family to visit the grandparents' house and celebrate the new year while eating banh chung.
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.
Five-star hotels have a wealth of facilities—24-hour room service, an outdoor pool, a fitness gym, a night bar, a spa, and a breakfast buffet. You can enjoy the Tet atmosphere while spending comfortable time within the hotel.
Visit tourist destinations in central Vietnam
During Tet, sightseeing in central Vietnam is recommended. Around Da Nang are World Cultural Heritage sites such as the historic monuments of Hue, the Hoi An Old Quarter, and the My Son Sanctuary. Because these are scenic sites, they stay open during Tet without closing.
Natural scenery such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh Province, and Sapa is unaffected by Tet or the pandemic, letting you enjoy the same stunning views as always. At major tourist destinations like Hoi An and Hue, most shops are open, so at this time it's wise to go boldly to suburban tourist destinations.
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。2026年は2月14日から22日前後まで閉館となる可能性があるため、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。
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!
