Where To Go In Vietnam During Tet ?
Tet transforms Vietnam by revealing contrasts that remain invisible during the rest of the year. For a few days, the country changes its rhythm: some cities come alive around traditions, flower markets and family rituals while others seem immersed in an almost unreal calm. Traveling during the Lunar New Year therefore requires a more thoughtful approach, in which the choice of the best places to visit in Vietnam during Tet directly influences the experience lived. Knowing where to go in Vietnam during Tet means finding the balance between cultural discovery, moments of sharing and moments of tranquility. With the support of Autour Asia, a travel agency in Vietnam, it becomes easier to identify the regions suited to this period and to build an itinerary in harmony with the spirit of renewal of Tet.
Table of Contents
I. Traveling to Vietnam during Tet: What you need to know
Traveling on Tet holiday in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, means experiencing one of the most singular moments of the year. Taking place between late January and mid-February, Tet transforms the atmosphere well before the celebration itself. In the days leading up to it, cities enter a state of excitement: lively flower markets, decorated streets, families absorbed in preparations. On the evening marking the transition to the new lunar year, this agitation reaches its peak in many provinces with fireworks and popular gatherings. Then, during the following 2 to 3 days, the rhythm changes radically: life recenters on the family, the streets empty and major cities reveal an almost suspended calm, rare for travelers.
From a practical standpoint, a trip to Vietnam during Tet is directly influenced by this particular temporality. Before the holiday, transportation is more crowded, as many Vietnamese return to their region of origin; it is therefore advisable to plan ahead and limit long journeys. During the days of celebration, some businesses temporarily close while hotels, tourist restaurants and well-organized destinations remain open, sometimes with adjusted schedules. This period naturally invites one to slow down, to stay longer in the same place and to favor atmosphere and observation rather than a succession of visits, in order to discover a more intimate and authentic Vietnam.
II. Where to go in Vietnam during Tet ? Best places to visit
1. Hanoi - The cradle of Lunar New Year traditions
Barely arrived in Hanoi during Tet, you feel a subtle change in the urban rhythm, an evident answer to the question of where to go in Vietnam during Tet when one is seeking meaning and authenticity. The Lunar New Year is expressed here with restraint, through a calm atmosphere, focused on family and ancestral rites. Discovery naturally begins at the Temple of Literature, one of the destinations open during Tet where the New Year calligraphy ritual takes place. By observing calligraphers drawing characters of luck and wisdom, you enter a Tet in which the transmission of knowledge and fundamental values fully take on their meaning.
Leaving this place filled with meaning, the walk continues toward other emblematic spaces, making this route one of the best places to visit in Vietnam during Tet. During Tet, strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn or crossing The Huc Bridge becomes a rare experience: the city seems suspended in a springtime mist. Farther on, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and Tay Ho Temple welcome worshippers and visitors in a peaceful atmosphere, conducive to contemplation. Connected on foot or at a slow pace, these places reveal an intimate and harmonious Hanoi, where each step gently unveils the deep soul of Tet.
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2. Ho Chi Minh City - A festive destination during Tet in Vietnam
When you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of Tet, you discover a city that remains dynamic, clearly illustrating the destinations open during Tet in Vietnam. The Lunar New Year is experienced differently here: the city does not slow down, it reorganizes itself. Part of the population returns to their families in the provinces, giving way to a more open metropolis, conducive to exploration. You stroll more easily along the main avenues and on Nguyen Hue Flower Street, the festive heart of the city. Between floral displays, zodiac symbols and street entertainment, the atmosphere remains joyful, relaxed and oriented toward sharing.
As the days go by, this energy unfolds through varied experiences during Tet. In Chợ Lớn, you immerse yourself in a different atmosphere, marked by incense-filled temples, red decorations and the rituals of the Chinese quarter. At the same time, cafés, restaurants and large urban complexes remain open, which makes the stay particularly smooth. In the evening, a cruise on the Saigon River offers you a luminous reading of the skyline. Ho Chi Minh City thus offers you a lively and accessible Tet, an obvious option for knowing where to go in Vietnam during Tet.
3. Hue - Immersion in imperial and spiritual Tet
Arriving in Hue during Tet means immediately sensing another way of celebrating the Lunar New Year, which fully illustrates the value of traveling on Tet holiday in Vietnam. Here, history still structures gestures and places. The Imperial Citadel of Hue, open during the festivities, becomes the heart of the experience and one of the most striking places to visit in Vietnam. The raising of the Cây Nêu, the offerings, and the court Tet rites recall the central role of this period in imperial times. As you walk through pavilions and inner courtyards, you discover a Tet lived as a continuity, faithful to ancient codes that are still alive.
This coherence extends into the city’s everyday atmosphere. During Tet, pagodas such as Thien Mu or Tu Hieu remain accessible and welcome worshippers and visitors in a calm conducive to contemplation. The royal tombs, also open, offer a peaceful walk between architecture and springtime nature. At the end of the day, a cruise on the Perfume River, accompanied by a concert of traditional music from the imperial court of Hue, adds a more sensory dimension to travel to Vietnam during Tet. Between open sites, intact traditions and refined gastronomy, Hue offers a Tet that is structured, slow and deeply meaningful.
4. Hoi An - One of the destinations open during Tet in Vietnam
During Tet, Hoi An establishes itself as a natural transition toward greater gentleness and poetry. Here, the celebration is experienced through light, offering another way to explore the destinations in Vietnam during Tet. As night falls, the old town transforms into an almost unreal setting: multicolored lanterns hanging from façades, shifting reflections on the Hoai River, alleys bathed in a warm glow. Largely open during the festivities, the town allows visitors to discover what to do in Hoi An through leisurely walks, without any break in experience, between craft workshops, ancient houses, restaurants and tailors.
This atmosphere fully comes to life through emblematic activities during Tet. You can place a floating lantern on the river to express your wishes, attend the popular Bài Chòi games in public squares or observe rituals in the Chinese congregations around the Pagoda Bridge. Just a few minutes away by bicycle, the Tra Que vegetable village offers a green and soothing interlude. Between living traditions, nocturnal gentleness and the accessibility of services, Hoi An confirms its place among the best places to visit in Vietnam during Tet, with a festive spirit that is delicately timeless.
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5. Phu Quoc - A sun-filled paradise during Tet
After the solemnity of the North and the depth of the Center, choosing Phu Quoc during Tet means completely changing the register, an obvious choice for those wondering where to go in Vietnam during Tet. Here, the Lunar New Year is experienced outdoors, under generous sunshine and to the rhythm of the sea. Tet coincides with the heart of the dry season, offering ideal conditions to enjoy the island and the things to do in Phu Quoc: swimming in clear water, relaxing on the beaches of Bai Sao or Bai Khem, sunset walks. The atmosphere is light and relaxed, oriented toward the simple pleasure of the natural setting.
This freedom comes with great ease of organization. During the Tet holiday in Vietnam, Phu Quoc remains one of the most accessible destinations open during Tet: resorts, spas and restaurants operate normally, often with dedicated activities, which fully facilitates a trip to Vietnam for the Lunar New Year. You can thus vary your experiences between entertainment at Grand World or VinWonders, a visit to Ho Quoc Pagoda facing the ocean, or an evening in Sunset Town and on the Kiss Bridge. Accessible, sunny and well-structured, Phu Quoc stands out as an ideal refuge to experience Tet differently, in a seaside version that is comfortable and soothing.
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III. Calm destinations in Vietnam during Tet
If urban effervescence is an experience in itself, many travelers favor tranquility and disconnection during this period. Here are the ideal refuges for a trip to Vietnam during Tet under the sign of serenity.
1. Mai Chau and Pu Luong - Nature immersion and ethnic villages
Moving away from the cities during Tet often means seeking where to go in Vietnam during Tet to rest the mind as much as the body. In Mai Chau, this feeling asserts itself from the first days of the year. The valley, wrapped in morning mist, lives to the peaceful rhythm of Thai villages. You stroll on foot or by bicycle between stilt villages such as Lac Village or Pom Coong, where Thai families celebrate the New Year with warm simplicity. Around the fire, steaming cơm lam and grilled pork sometimes accompany xòe dances and traditional games. Here, Tet is lived in nature, conviviality and sharing.
Going further toward Pu Luong, the calm becomes even deeper during Tet, echoing the search for calm destinations in Vietnam during Tet. Life is organized around Muong hamlets such as Son - Ba - Muoi, nestled between terraced rice fields and dense forests. The paths linking the villages invite peaceful hikes, punctuated by the observation of large traditional water wheels along the streams. In the early morning, you contemplate the misty valleys without time constraints. The ecolodge of the reserve, open during Tet, favors silence and panoramic views. Pu Luong thus appeals to those seeking a simple, soothing Lunar New Year, deeply connected to nature.
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2. Quy Nhon - A preserved coastline, a place to visit in Vietnam during Tet
If you long for the sea during Tet without giving up calm, Quy Nhon stands out as an obvious choice. Located between Hoi An and Nha Trang, the city maintains a smooth and relaxed local rhythm during the Lunar New Year, which naturally places it among the best places to visit in Vietnam during Tet, far from the bustle of more crowded seaside resorts. You enjoy beaches and coves such as Ky Co or Eo Gio in a serene atmosphere, ideal for swimming, coastal walks or observing the sea. Seafood restaurants, cafés and hotels remain open, making the stay simple and pleasant. The seafront promenade, isolated Cham towers or Ghenh Rang - Tien Sa invite you to slow down for a peaceful and deeply restful Tet.
3. Con Dao - An island away from the hustle and bustle
When the desire to truly disconnect from the rhythm of the Lunar New Year arises, Con Dao naturally stands out during Tet. Here, silence becomes a true luxury. The archipelago, largely classified as a national park, reveals an unspoiled nature: wild beaches such as Dam Trau, clear seas and almost deserted coastal roads. Open but never lively during Tet, the island allows you to alternate between swimming, calm walks and discovering Con Dao specialties, notably fresh seafood. This atmosphere also encourages an inner dimension of the journey between reflection at Hang Duong Cemetery and contemplation of the sunrise facing the ocean. Accommodations, open during the festivities, favor intimacy and calm. In Con Dao, Tet is experienced as a slow and deeply soothing pause.
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IV. Practical tips for traveling well in Vietnam during Tet
Traveling to Vietnam during Tet is a unique experience, provided that its specific characteristics are well understood. Here are the essential tips for preparing your stay smoothly and avoiding unpleasant surprises.
- Plan your reservations in advance: Tet is the busiest period of the year. Booking flights, trains and accommodations in advance is essential to ensure availability and reasonable prices.
- Take the festive rhythm into account: The first days of Tet are quieter and some businesses temporarily close. Tourist activities gradually resume afterward.
- Favor destinations open during Tet: Major cities and well-structured tourist destinations continue to operate, which makes travel organization easier.
- Reduce travel distances: Avoid overly packed itineraries. Staying longer in the same place allows you to better enjoy Tet and avoid overcrowded transportation.
- Accept occasional surcharges: Additional fees may apply in hotels and restaurants. They are common during Tet and are generally clearly indicated.
- Respect local customs: Adopt a calm and considerate attitude, favor lucky colors and respect traditions, especially on the first day of the year.
Choosing where to go in Vietnam during Tet is essential to fully experience this unique period. Traveling on Tet holiday in Vietnam means accepting a different rhythm, alternating between cities animated by traditions, flower markets and family rituals and calmer regions where time seems suspended. The choice of destination directly influences the experience: cultural immersion, local encounters or the search for tranquility. By adapting your itinerary to the spirit of the Lunar New Year, you discover a more authentic and balanced Vietnam. With the support of Autour Asia, a local travel agency in Vietnam, it becomes easier to identify places suited to Tet and to build a smooth journey in harmony with this festival of renewal.
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Planning a 2-week itinerary in Vietnam is best done by balancing cultural discovery, nature and relaxation through a well-paced north-to-south itinerary. Start in Hanoi to explore its rich historical and cultural heritage, then continue to Ha Long Bay for an unforgettable cruise through this UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, head to Ninh Binh - Tam Coc to experience peaceful rural landscapes, followed by Mai Chau, where gentle hikes offer insight into the daily life of ethnic minority communities. The journey then moves to Central Vietnam, with time spent discovering the imperial legacy of Hue and the timeless charm of lantern-lit Hoi An. Conclude the itinerary in Southern Vietnam with an overnight stay in the Mekong Delta, allowing you to enjoy its waterways, local traditions and community-based hospitality. This structure ensures a smooth travel rhythm, minimizes long transfers, and provides a well-rounded experience of Vietnam’s culture, landscapes and people within two weeks.
To organize a private all-inclusive tour before Tet festival in Vietnam, the key is to plan ahead and structure the itinerary around the gradual build-up of the festive atmosphere. Ideally, you begin in the North, in Hanoi and Ninh Binh, in order to observe the preparations for the Lunar New Year: flower markets, decorated streets, temple rituals and immersive experiences such as making bánh chưng. You then continue with a nature and relaxation break, for example a cruise in Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, before heading south to the Central region (Hoi An, Hue), where traditions take on a more poetic and imperial dimension. The journey ends in the South, in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, to discover a warmer and more colorful atmosphere. By going through a specialized agency, you benefit from smooth flights, open accommodations, a local guide and a balanced pace, allowing you to experience the pre-Tet excitement without facing crowds or the logistical constraints of public holidays.
To fully experience the Vietnamese Tet and know where to go in Vietnam during Tet, it is recommended to plan at least 10 to 15 days of travel. This duration allows you to enjoy both the lively atmosphere of the preparations before the Lunar New Year and the calmer mood of the first days of the celebration. By staying several nights in the same place, you limit travel constraints and discover the country at a more relaxed pace. A stay of around two weeks therefore provides the necessary time to choose destinations suited to Tet, immerse yourself in local traditions and experience this period of renewal in an authentic and balanced way.
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