Vietnam Tet Travel Guide 2026: Must-Try Experiences & Local Tips

One of the most beautiful times to travel in Vietnam is Tet Lunar New Year and the spring season, lasting from January to April each year. This is not simply a public holiday, but a special moment for travelers to touch the rhythm of traditional life, immerse themselves in the vibrant festive atmosphere, and experience the most authentic local cultural values of Vietnam.

 

If you are planning to explore Vietnam during Tet 2026, the article Vietnam Tet Travel Guide 2026: Must-Try Experiences & Local Tips is a comprehensive guide for you. Compiled by Ms. Tam, an experienced local guide from Truong Sa Tourist Vietnam DMC, this guide will help you properly understand Vietnamese Tet, prepare carefully, and fully enjoy your journey during the most important and culturally rich festival of the year.

Why Visit Vietnam During Tet Lunar New Year?

A chance to experience deep traditional culture

There is no time that reflects Vietnamese identity more clearly than Tet Lunar New Year. This is when families reunite, remember their ancestors, clean their homes, and welcome the new year with hopes for a positive beginning.

Traveling in Vietnam during Tet allows international visitors not only to see culture, but to live with it, from witnessing New Year Eve worship rituals, joining traditional Tet family meals, to receiving lucky money as a wish for good fortune.

Festive atmosphere across the whole country

 During Tet, Vietnam takes on a completely different appearance. Cities and rural areas are decorated with apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, lanterns, and red couplets. The streets are colorful but not noisy, life slows down, creating a very distinctive atmosphere that travelers can hardly find at any other time of the year.

Ideal weather to explore different regions

Tet Lunar New Year usually falls in late January or February, the most pleasant time of the year in Vietnam. The North is mildly cool, Central Vietnam enjoys stable sunshine, and the South is dry and clear. This allows travelers to flexibly choose itineraries from culture and heritage to beach relaxation.

Slow and different travel experience

While many Asian destinations become crowded during the festive season, Vietnam during Tet offers a slow travel experience. This is an ideal time for travelers who want to connect more deeply with local people, enjoy quiet spaces, and truly feel the local rhythm of life.

Things to Know When Traveling in Vietnam During Tet Lunar New Year

Tet holiday schedule and impact on services

Tet Lunar New Year in Vietnam usually lasts from 7 to 9 days. During this time, some family-owned shops, local eateries, or small services may close for the first few days of the new year. However, hotels, resorts, large shopping centers, and major attractions remain open as usual.

Travelers should note that transportation can be more crowded before and after Tet, especially in major cities and at airports.

Prices and demand are higher due to increased travel and holiday demand, domestic flight tickets and hotel rates during Tet are often higher than usual. Booking early not only helps secure better accommodation but also optimizes costs.

Cultural behavior and important notes

International visitors should respect local customs, especially when visiting pagodas, temples, or participating in traditional rituals. Polite clothing, courteous attitudes, and openness will help you easily integrate and receive a warm welcome from Vietnamese people.

Best Destinations to Visit in Vietnam During Tet

Hanoi – The soul of traditional Vietnamese Tet

Hanoi best reflects the atmosphere of traditional Tet. In the days before the New Year, the Old Quarter becomes lively with flower markets, incense scents, and the red color of calligraphy couplets. When Tet arrives, the city becomes unusually peaceful, creating ideal conditions for strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, visiting the Temple of Literature at the beginning of the year, or experiencing New Year celebrations with local residents.

Ninh Binh – Spring travel amid nature and world heritage

During Tet, Ninh Binh has a calm and pure beauty. Travelers can combine visits to the Trang An Landscape Complex, Tam Coc Bich Dong, early-year pilgrimages to Bai Dinh Pagoda, and enjoy limestone mountains, valleys, and caves covered in spring mist. This is an ideal destination for those who love nature, spirituality, and want to avoid crowds.

Ha Long Bay – Spring journey on a world natural wonder

Instead of rushed itineraries often seen at other times, Tet Lunar New Year in Ha Long Bay offers a completely different experience: slow, refined, and in harmony with nature. Start your day on a luxury cruise, a floating hotel in the heart of the heritage site, where opening the balcony door reveals the jade green color of the bay stretching before your eyes. Each journey past limestone islands reveals a new scene, allowing life to slow down so travelers can observe, feel, and enjoy.

In the early days of the year, a thin mist covers thousands of limestone formations, creating a rare and magical landscape, especially suitable for travelers who love high-end leisure travel and nature exploration. The quiet atmosphere, private space, and pristine beauty make Ha Long during Tet an ideal choice for an inspiring new year beginning.

Tet Lunar New Year is also the perfect time to experience bay cruises, join activities such as kayaking, cave exploration, watching sunrise over the sea, and enjoying refined Vietnamese cuisine in a luxurious and private setting. Compared to the summer peak season, Ha Long during Tet is more peaceful and relaxing, offering a sense of renewal and deep connection with a world natural wonder.

Hue Tet Travel – Experiencing royal Tet traditions

Hue offers a very different perspective on Vietnamese Tet, where the festive atmosphere blends with royal heritage and solemn traditional rituals. In the early days of spring, travelers can visit the Hue Imperial Citadel, listen to stories of the Nguyen Dynasty, stroll along the peaceful Perfume River, explore royal tombs, or visit ancient pagodas to pray for peace and feel serenity at the start of the year.

Alongside cultural and historical values, Hue Tet cuisine is also an unforgettable experience. From delicately prepared royal dishes to rustic flavors rich in local identity, all enjoyed in the quiet and ancient atmosphere of the former imperial capital, creating a gentle, profound, and emotional spring journey.

Da Nang – The most livable coastal city in Vietnam

Da Nang is an ideal destination for international travelers who want to experience Vietnamese Tet in a balance of traditional identity and modern convenience. During Tet Lunar New Year, the city maintains a relaxed and friendly rhythm, tourism services operate stably, while the festive atmosphere is clearly present through spring flower streets, Tet markets, and local cultural events.

At the beginning of the year, travelers can walk along My Khe Beach in cool weather, visit the Marble Mountains, make a spring pilgrimage to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula to pray for peace, or enjoy a day trip to Ba Na Hills. With a perfect balance between relaxation, sightseeing, and cultural experience, Da Nang is especially suitable for first-time visitors to Vietnam, families, or groups of friends seeking a gentle, comfortable Tet that is not too crowded but still full of spring spirit.

Hoi An Tet Travel Experience

During Tet Lunar New Year, the ancient town of Hoi An wears a vibrant yet quiet beauty, preserving its slow pace and characteristic tranquility. Rows of colorful lanterns light up small streets, while local families prepare for the New Year, creating a warm and unique cultural picture.

This is an ideal time for travelers to participate in traditional Tet activities, experience Hoi An cooking classes, or simply stroll along the Hoai River, listening to the gentle rhythm of life in the early days of spring. With its ancient space, peaceful atmosphere, and spring colors everywhere, Hoi An is a perfect destination for those who want to feel Vietnamese Tet in a deep, slow, and emotional way.

Ho Chi Minh City – Modern, vibrant Tet with historical depth

If you want to experience a youthful, dynamic Vietnam that still holds deep historical layers during Tet Lunar New Year, Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal destination. The largest city in the country maintains its vibrant pace throughout the early days of the year with Nguyen Hue Flower Street, Ben Binh Dong Flower Market, and many festivals and cultural events, creating a modern, colorful, and energetic Tet atmosphere.

Alongside urban life, travelers can combine visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a famous historical site not far from the city center. This experience helps you better understand Vietnamese history, the resilience of the people during wartime, and offers an interesting contrast between modern Ho Chi Minh City and historical remnants of the past.

The harmonious combination of tradition, history, and contemporary life, along with a well-developed tourism service system and convenient transportation, makes Ho Chi Minh City especially suitable for first-time visitors to Vietnam and those who want to enjoy a lively Tet while still gaining rich cultural experiences.

Phu Quoc Tet Travel – Blue sea, golden sunshine paradise

During Tet Lunar New Year and spring, Phu Quoc enters the most beautiful period of the year as the Pearl Island officially welcomes the dry season, with sunny, cool weather and little rain. This is an ideal condition for travelers to fully enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, morning beach walks, snorkeling, or joining island-hopping tours.

The sea of Phu Quoc during this season features crystal clear blue water, long stretches of white sand, and fresh air, bringing a sense of relaxation and comfort from the very first days of the new year.

Beyond natural beauty, Phu Quoc stands out with its system of high-end resorts and luxury retreats, offering many choices from beachfront to secluded nature settings. Travelers can enjoy international-standard resort services, relaxing spa treatments, fresh seafood cuisine, and rare private moments during Tet. This is also an ideal time to recharge energy, care for mental well-being, and start the new year in a complete and meaningful way.

Tet in Phu Quoc is a journey of enjoying blue seas, warm sunshine, island tranquility, and the perfect balance between rest and experience, for travelers who love resort travel, couples, families, or those seeking a truly different Tet in Vietnam.

Must-Try Experiences During Tet

Traveling in Vietnam during Tet would not be complete without signature experiences such as enjoying traditional Tet meals, joining early spring pagoda visits, receiving lucky money as a wish for good fortune, or trying on ao dai to capture memorable moments at the beginning of the year.

Useful Tips for International Travelers

To ensure a smooth trip, travelers should prepare cash in advance, download offline maps, stay flexible with itineraries, and choose a reputable DMC to receive the best support during peak days. Careful preparation will help you enjoy Vietnamese Tet fully and comfortably.

Truong Sa Tourist Vietnam DMC – Your trusted local partner for authentic, seamless, and premium Vietnam experiences.
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Traveling in Vietnam during Tet Lunar New Year 2026 is a journey to explore culture, people, and local life at its deepest level. With the combination of tradition, nature, and authentic local experiences, this is the ideal time for international travelers to understand and love Vietnam in a truly unique way.

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