Vietnam Public Holidays: What to Expect & Best Places

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a country come alive with celebration? To be swept up in a city-wide festival or witness a solemn tradition that’s centuries old? If that sounds like your kind of travel, then I suggest planning your trip on Vietnam public holidays.

These holidays are just a part of the vibrant cultural celebrations you can find here. We have a broader guide that covers many other exciting festivals in Vietnam. You get a direct look into the nation’s history, its values, and its heart. It turns a regular trip into a really memorable cultural experience. Let’s look at the main celebrations and the best ways you can join in.

Public Holidays in Vietnam & Things to Do

New Year’s Day (January 1)

I think it’s best to start with a celebration that feels familiar to many people around the world. In Vietnam, January 1st marks the Western New Year. It is a day off for everyone, but it’s particularly a big deal for the younger generation in the major cities. It has a very modern, energetic, and festive feel.

If you find yourself in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for New Year’s Eve, you are in for a treat. The streets fill with people heading to countdown parties. Huge stages are set up in central squares with live music and performances. The energy builds all night until the clock strikes midnight. Then, amazing firework displays light up the sky over famous city landmarks. It’s a fantastic way to see the modern, forward-looking side of Vietnam.

Beyond the New Year’s festivities, the capital has so much more to offer. Check out our detailed guide on things to do in Hanoi for more ideas.

Tết (Lunar New Year)

Now, let’s talk about the main event of the year: Tết Nguyên Đán, or simply Tết. This is, without a doubt, the biggest and most important of the Tet Holidays in Vietnam. It celebrates the arrival of spring and a new year according to the lunar calendar. This holiday is all about family, tradition, and starting fresh. The emphasis on family reunion makes it a wonderful time for family travel. Our Vietnam Family Holidays 14 Days itinerary is designed to give your family a rich cultural experience.

Unlike the party atmosphere of January 1st, Tết is a much more personal and traditional affair. The most important thing is for people to travel back to their hometowns to be with their families. For travelers, this means you need to plan ahead. Many shops, restaurants, and businesses will close for several days. Major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can become surprisingly quiet as people return to the countryside.

The preparations for Tết are a beautiful sight. Streets become vibrant flower markets filled with peach blossoms in the north and apricot blossoms in the south. Families decorate their homes with kumquat trees, which symbolize luck and prosperity for the new year. You will also see families making and sharing traditional foods, especially bánh chưng, a sticky rice cake filled with pork and beans. To learn more about what families eat during this special time, read our guide to Vietnamese New Year food.

Where you decide to be during Tết can give you very different experiences. For a truly traditional celebration, Hanoi is a wonderful choice. If you are looking for something magical, Hoi An is the place to be. The entire ancient town is lit by thousands of colorful lanterns, creating an absolutely enchanting atmosphere.

If you’re planning a visit, be sure to look at our list of things to do in Hoi An. For a more personal and authentic experience, you could visit the Mekong Delta. Here, you might get a chance to celebrate with a local family and see the holiday’s deep-rooted family values up close.

Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day

Moving on to a deeply historical day, we have the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month). This holiday honors the legendary founders of the nation, the Hung Kings. It is a beautiful display of the Vietnamese tradition of ancestral worship. The day is filled with a sense of respect and pride in the nation’s origins. It’s less of a party and more of a spiritual pilgrimage.

The center of the celebration is the Hung Temple in Phu Tho Province, a few hours northwest of Hanoi. This is where the national pilgrimage takes place, and it’s an incredible sight. You can witness large processions of people in traditional clothing carrying colorful palanquins up the mountain temple. The air is filled with the sounds of traditional music, including Xoan singing, which is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It’s a very moving experience that connects you directly to the roots of Vietnamese culture.

Reunification Day & International Labour Day (April 30 & May 1)

At the end of April, Vietnam celebrates two major holidays back-to-back. April 30th is Reunification Day, which marks the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and the reunification of North and South Vietnam. The very next day, May 1st, is International Labour Day. Together, these two holidays create a long weekend, making it a popular time for local travel and celebrations.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the heart of the Reunification Day events. The city is decorated with national flags and patriotic banners. You will see parades and public gatherings, especially around historical landmarks. A visit to the Reunification Palace, where the war officially ended, is a powerful experience on this day. The city offers a unique and historical perspective during this time. For a full itinerary, see our guide on the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam National Day (September 2)

Finally, we arrive at another significant day of national pride: Vietnam National Day. This holiday commemorates President Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence from French rule on September 2, 1945. The atmosphere across the country is one of patriotism and celebration of the nation’s sovereignty.

Hanoi, the capital, is the primary location for the official ceremonies. The day begins with a solemn flag-raising ceremony at Ba Dinh Square, in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where he read the declaration. This is often followed by large-scale military parades that showcase national pride. The city is alive with decorations, and in the evening, spectacular fireworks displays light up the sky. It is a day where you can feel the deep sense of history and national identity that shapes the country.

Best Places to Go for Public Holidays in Vietnam

So, you’re thinking about timing your trip with a holiday. Where should you go? It really depends on the experience you’re looking for.

Hanoi – Vietnam’s Capital

Hanoi is perfect for both Tết and National Day. For Tết, the Old Quarter is buzzing with festive energy, and a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake offers a sacred atmosphere as locals visit Ngoc Son Temple. For National Day, you can head to Ba Dinh Square to witness the grand military parades and feel the patriotic spirit of the nation’s capital.

Ho Chi Minh City

This is the epicenter for Reunification Day. The city’s history is directly tied to the event. A visit to the Reunification Palace, where the war officially ended, is a must. You can also visit the War Remnants Museum for a deeper historical context. The city is alive with decorations and a sense of pride, offering a powerful look into a pivotal moment.

Hoi An

For the most magical Tết experience, you have to go to Hoi An. The ancient town is simply enchanting, with thousands of colorful lanterns lighting up the streets. A boat ride on the Thu Bon River during the celebration, with lanterns floating on the water, feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

Phu Tho Province

If you want to connect with the deep spiritual and ancestral roots of Vietnam, you must visit the Hung Temple complex in Phu Tho for Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day. Witnessing the pilgrimage and the traditional ceremonies at the temples on Nghia Linh mountain is the most authentic way to experience this unique cultural holiday.

The Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta offers a more intimate and authentic Tết. In places like Can Tho or Ben Tre, you can join a local family for their celebrations, learn to make traditional holiday foods, and see how the holiday focuses on culinary traditions and family values in a beautiful, rural setting.

Sapa

For a cultural alternative during any long holiday, Sapa is an excellent choice. You can escape the main festivities and instead spend time trekking through the stunning rice terraces. A visit to the villages of Cat Cat or Ta Phin gives you a chance to meet Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups, like the H’mong and Red Dao, and learn about their unique traditions.

A Final Thought

Planning a trip around Vietnam’s public holidays gives you a unique and immersive travel experience that goes beyond typical tourism. It’s a chance to see the country’s culture in action.

I encourage you to join in the festive spirit, always be respectful of local customs, and enjoy the unforgettable opportunity to celebrate alongside the Vietnamese people. If you want a complete journey that covers many of these amazing locations, consider our 15 Days Join Group Vietnam Tour for an unforgettable trip. It will give you stories you’ll be telling for years to come.

FAQs about Public Holidays in Vietnam