Every year, somewhere between late January and mid-February, Vietnam almost comes to a standstill for Tet, the Lunar New Year. For about a week, families gather, cities empty out, altars fill with offerings and streets are decorated with peach blossom and kumquat trees. For travellers, it is both a rare experience and a time that calls for careful planning.
Since 2005, we have welcomed travellers every winter who arrive in the middle of the celebrations. Here is what you need to know about travelling in Vietnam during Tet: the 2027 dates, what closes, how to get around, where to go and how to behave if you are invited into a home.
When is Tet in 2027 and how long does it last?
In 2027, the first day of Tet falls on Saturday 6 February, and government offices in Vietnam will be closed from 4 to 10 February.
Tet follows the lunar calendar, so its date changes every year, always between 21 January and 20 February. 2027 will be the Year of the Goat, Đinh Mùi in Vietnamese. The Ministry of Home Affairs has set the official public holiday at seven consecutive days, from Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February. Private companies set their own dates, but they stay close to these.
In practice, the festivities spill well beyond that window. The week before is all about shopping, mass departures and traffic jams. The first three days of the year, known as mùng 1, mùng 2 and mùng 3, are the quietest and the most closed. The country then restarts gradually, and things often only feel normal again by the middle of the following week.
| Period (Tet 2027) | What happens | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Late January to 3 February | Flower markets, shopping, journeys home | Packed transport, higher prices, very festive atmosphere |
| 4 and 5 February | Final preparations, New Year’s Eve on the 5th | Shops close in the afternoon of the 5th, fireworks at midnight |
| 6 to 8 February | Family visits, pagodas, rest | Quiet cities, many restaurants and shops closed |
| 9 to 14 February | Gradual reopening, return to the cities | Another traffic peak, most sites open again |
For reference, Tet will fall on 26 January in 2028. If your dates are flexible, arriving a week earlier or later makes a big difference.
What is closed during Tet?
Banks, government offices, museums and many small restaurants close for several days, but hotels, major sights and convenience stores stay open.
What closes
- Banks and government offices, for the whole official holiday.
- Most museums, usually for the first two to five days, with opening hours varying from one place to another.
- Traditional markets and many shops, often until the third day.
- Many family-run restaurants and street food stalls, whose owners go back to their home villages.
- Tailors, craft workshops and small service providers, who also take their holidays.
What stays open
- Hotels, which run as usual, sometimes with a holiday surcharge.
- Major sights such as the Hue Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town and the pagodas, which are busy with local families.
- Hotel restaurants, international chains and 24-hour convenience stores.
- Ride-hailing apps such as Grab, often with higher fares and fewer drivers.
Make sure you withdraw enough cash before New Year’s Eve: ATMs keep working, but some run empty quickly in smaller towns, and you cannot go to a bank if something goes wrong.
Is it easy to get around Vietnam during Tet?
Yes, but trains, buses and domestic flights are overwhelmed just before and just after Tet, and fares can double or rise even further.
Tet triggers the biggest migration of the year: millions of Vietnamese leave Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to join their families, then come back a few days later. Paradoxically, New Year’s Day itself is often the easiest day to travel, as the roads are almost empty.
| Transport | Before and after Tet | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights | Full on main routes, much higher fares | Book two to three months ahead and arrive early at the airport |
| Reunification Express train | Tickets sold out weeks in advance | Buy as soon as sales open or travel on the holiday itself |
| Sleeper buses | Fares sometimes multiplied, crowded stations | Avoid the main departure days |
| Private car with driver | Available if booked early | The most comfortable option, best arranged as part of a tour |
| Grab and taxis | Running, but with surcharges | Expect longer waiting times |
For our travellers, we book drivers and tickets well in advance and avoid scheduling long journeys on 4, 5 or 9 February. Halong Bay cruises generally operate during Tet, but some companies pause departures for a day or two, so it is worth checking when you book.
Should you avoid travelling to Vietnam during Tet?
Not necessarily, as Tet offers a rare glimpse into Vietnamese family life, as long as you accept a slower pace and book well in advance.
Tet is the heart of Vietnamese culture: ancestor worship, offerings, the first visits of the year and pagodas full of worshippers. To understand what lies behind these rituals before you leave, read our guide to Vietnamese traditions and customs.
This is how we sum it up for travellers who are unsure:
- You will love it if you are looking for atmosphere, flower markets, decorated streets and a chance to share a moment with a family.
- You may be disappointed if your trip is short, tightly packed, or focused on shopping, museums and street food.
- A good compromise is often to arrive a week early to enjoy the preparations, then spend the first three days somewhere quiet.
Where should you spend Tet in Vietnam?
Hanoi has the most traditional atmosphere, Hoi An and Hue stay lively, and the South enjoys dry and sunny weather at this time of year.
Hanoi and the North
Hanoi is where traditional Tet is felt most strongly. In the days before, Hàng Mã and Hàng Lược streets fill with decorations and flowers, and Quảng Bá market, near West Lake, sells peach blossom branches until the early hours. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and at several points across the city. Be aware of the weather: in February the North is often grey and cool, frequently between 12 and 20 °C, with a damp drizzle.
Hue and Hoi An
The Hue Citadel stays open and often hosts festivities, while Hoi An keeps its lanterns and some of its shops. The weather is milder than in Hanoi, although a few showers are still possible early in the year.
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta
The South is in the middle of its dry season. In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street turns into a flower street every year, and the Mekong Delta fills with orchards and flower markets before the holiday. It is also a good time to end your trip on a southern beach, as long as you book early, since Vietnamese families head there too.
How should you behave if you are invited into a home during Tet?
Bring a small gift, give red envelopes to children, wish a happy new year in Vietnamese and avoid wearing all black or all white.
It is quite common for a guide, a driver or a family you meet along the way to invite you for tea or a meal. A few simple customs will help you feel at ease:
- Say “Chúc mừng năm mới”, which means happy new year.
- Slip a crisp new banknote into a red envelope, called lì xì, for the children: a few tens of thousands of dong is enough, for example 20,000 or 50,000 VND, roughly one or two US dollars.
- Bring fruit, biscuits, tea or a box of sweets rather than an expensive gift.
- Do not step into a home on the morning of the first day unless invited: the first visitor of the year, xông đất, is believed to bring luck to the household and is chosen in advance.
- Avoid arguments, talk of misfortune and clothes that are entirely black or white, which are associated with mourning.
It is also customary to thank the people working through the holiday a little more generously, whether it is your guide, your driver or the hotel staff.
How can you best prepare a trip during Tet?
Book flights, trains and hotels two to three months ahead, withdraw cash before the holiday and stay in one place for the first three days.
- Book early: the best rooms and domestic flights go as early as the autumn.
- Plan a higher budget: some hotels add a 20 to 50% surcharge during the holiday, and transport fares rise too.
- Avoid long journeys on the main departure and return days.
- Leave some slack in your schedule: a museum or restaurant may close without notice.
- Check your entry requirements: visa exemptions apply to several European nationalities for up to 45 days, and other travellers can apply for a 90-day e-visa on evisa.gov.vn.
If you travel with us, we adapt the order of your stops to the festive calendar: markets before New Year’s Eve, nature or a cruise during the public holidays, and cities again once daily life has resumed.
FAQ: travelling in Vietnam during Tet
When is Tet 2027?
The first day of Tet 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February. The official public holiday runs from Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February.
How long is Vietnam closed for Tet?
The first three days are the most closed. Banks and government offices close for about a week, and some businesses only reopen the following week.
Are tourist sites open during Tet?
Major sights such as the Hue Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town and the pagodas stay open. Many museums, however, close for a few days.
Is it hard to find transport during Tet?
Yes, just before and just after the holiday: trains, buses and domestic flights are full and more expensive. Book two to three months ahead and avoid the main departure days.
Do Halong Bay cruises run during Tet?
Generally yes, but some companies pause departures for a day or two around New Year’s Day. Check when you book.
How much money goes in a red envelope in Vietnam?
For a child, a crisp new note of 20,000 to 50,000 VND, roughly one or two US dollars, is enough. The gesture and the new banknote matter more than the amount.
