19 Best Vietnamese Festivals and Holidays
Vietnam is a land of profound spiritual traditions, ancient folklore, and vibrant community celebrations. Shaped by over four thousand years of wet-rice agriculture, ancestor worship, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, and the rich cultural contributions of fifty-four ethnic groups, the country hosts thousands of festive events across its thirty-three hundred kilometers of coastline. From grand nation-halting holidays where millions travel to reunite with family, to serene river pilgrimages, mountaintop Zen gatherings, and electrifying boat races, Vietnamese festivals (known locally as Le Hoi) offer travelers an unparalleled window into the soul of the nation.
Because the vast majority of traditional Vietnamese festivals follow the lunar calendar, therefore Gregorian calendar dates shift from year to year. Participating in these vibrant celebrations can turn a standard holiday into an unforgettable cultural immersion, but it also requires careful logistical planning regarding transport, accommodation, and cultural etiquette. Our guide covers the fifteen biggest and most iconic festivals across Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam, featuring verified upcoming dates for late 2026 and the full 2027 calendar year.
Traditional Vietnamese festivals often feature vibrant lion dance performances.
Vietnam traditional festivals and holidays calendar at a glance (2026 – 2027)
Our table below provides you a quick reference guide to Vietnam’s premier annual celebrations, showing traditional lunar timing, upcoming Gregorian dates for 2026 and 2027.
| Festival Name | Lunar Calendar Date | Next Upcoming Gregorian Date | Primary Location | Type & Atmosphere | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) | 1st to 3rd of 1st Month | February 6 to February 8, 2027 (Goat) | Nationwide | Major Public Holiday / Family Reunion | Flower markets, spiritual rituals, cultural immersion |
| Perfume Pagoda Festival | 6th of 1st Month to late 3rd Month | February 7 to May 2027 | Hanoi | Buddhist Pilgrimage / Karst Landscape | Scenic sampan boat rides, cave exploration |
| Lim Festival (Quan Ho Singing) | 12th to 13th of 1st Month | February 18 to February 19, 2027 | Bac Ninh | Folk Heritage / Traditional Courtship | UNESCO-inscribed folk music, traditional costumes |
| Yen Tu Spring Festival | 10th of 1st Month to end of 3rd Month | February 15 to April 2027 | Quang Ninh (Mount Yen Tu) | Zen Buddhist Pilgrimage / Mountain Ascent | Cloud hiking, ancient stupas, sacred bronze pagoda |
| Hung Kings Temple Festival | 10th of 3rd Month | April 16, 2027 | Phu Tho (Nghia Linh Mountain) | National Public Holiday / Ancestral Worship | Solemn state processions, folklore games |
| Hue Festival (Four Seasons) | All year around – Highlights: late August and September | Hue | Royal Court & Cultural Arts Spectacle | Imperial palace reenactments, traditional arts | |
| Reunification & Labor Days | April 30 to May 1, 2027 | Nationwide | National Public Holiday / Patriotic | City fireworks, beach vacations, domestic travel | |
| Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak) | 15th of 4th Month | May 20, 2027 | Nationwide (Major Pagodas) | Buddhist Religious Holiday / Serene | Lotus lantern releases, temple chanting, floral floats |
| Doan Ngo Festival (Pest-Killing) | 5th of 5th Month | June 9, 2027 | Nationwide | Traditional Folk Holiday / Culinary | Sticky rice wine tasting, seasonal fruit feasts |
| Danang Fireworks Festival (DIFF) | June to July 2027 (Weekends) | Da Nang (Han River) | Modern International Spectacle | World-class pyrotechnics, night illumination | |
| Vu Lan (Ghost & Parents Day) | 15th of 7th Month | August 27, 2026 / August 16, 2027 | Nationwide | Filial Piety & Buddhist Ancestor Worship | Floating river candle lanterns, vegetarian feasts |
| National Day (Independence Day) | September 2, 2026 / September 2, 2027 | Nationwide (Hanoi, HCM) | National Public Holiday / Patriotic | Citywide flags, parades, concerts, fireworks | |
| Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung Thu) | 15th of 8th Month | September 25, 2026 / September 15, 2027 | Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City | Family & Children’s Holiday / Magical | Lantern parades, lion dances, mooncakes |
| Kate Festival (Cham New Year) | 7th Month of Cham Calendar | late September to early October | Khanh Hoa & Lam Dong | Ancient Cham Hindu Heritage | Apsara dancing, sacred tower rituals, Saranai music |
| Ok Om Bok & Ngo Boat Race | 14th to 15th of 10th Month | November 23-24, 2026 / November 12-13, 2027 | Can Tho & Vinh Long | Khmer Moon Worship / River Regatta | High-speed 30-meter Ngo boat racing, sky lanterns |
| Vietnamese Women’s Day | October 20 | Nationwide | Holiday/affection | Giving flowers and gifts to women |
In the following section, we have categorized the holidays into major categories to make it easier to browse and select (you can click the table of contents for quick navigation):
- Category 1: Major National Public Holidays
- Category 2: Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimages and Folk Festivals
- Category 3: Family and Seasonal Folk Holidays
- Category 4: Distinctive Ethnic Minority and Regional Festivals
- Category 5: Widely celebrated international holidays in Vietnam
Additionally, addresses have been updated to reflect the government’s administrative merger plan scheduled in mid-2025.
Major national public holidays
1. Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)
Tet Nguyen Dan (frequently shortened to Tet) is the undisputed crown jewel of Vietnamese holidays. Signifying the arrival of spring and the renewal of life, Tet is a sacred seven-to-nine-day holiday where families gather from across the globe to honor their ancestors, settle old debts, clean their ancestral graves, and exchange hopes for health and prosperity in the coming year.
In the weeks leading up to Tet, Vietnamese cities erupt into vibrant open-air flower markets. Streets in northern Vietnam are filled with peach blossom branches and kumquat trees laden with golden fruit, while southern cities like Saigon shine under golden apricot blossoms. Families prepare traditional holiday foods, most notably Banh Chung (square sticky rice cakes filled with mung bean and pork, wrapped in green Dong leaves) in the north, and Banh Tet (cylindrical glutinous rice rolls) in the south.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): February 6 to February 8, 2027 (Year of the Goat)
- Where to Experience: Hanoi (flower markets in Quang Ba, serene Old Quarter on Tet Day 1), Hoi An (vibrant lantern-lined walking streets), Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Hue Flower Boulevard)
- Traveler Highlights: Releasing golden carp for the Kitchen Gods (Ong Cong Ong Tao) seven days before Tet, watching midnight fireworks, receiving red envelopes of lucky money (Li Xi), and admiring traditional Ao Dai fashion in ancient temples
The family gathers and prepares traditional dishes in Tet
2. Hung Kings Temple Festival (Gio To Hung Vuong)
Celebrated annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month, the Hung Kings Temple Festival is a solemn national public holiday dedicated to the legendary founding monarchs of the Vietnamese nation (the Van Lang Kingdom). Held at the sacred Hung Temple complex on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phu Tho Province, roughly 85 kilometers northwest of Hanoi, the event embodies the national proverb: “Wherever you go, remember the anniversary of the Ancestor on the tenth of the third month.”
The festival commences with a majestic state incense-offering ceremony attended by national leaders, followed by grand palanquin processions with bronze drums, ceremonial silk flags, and traditional offerings of square Banh Chung and round Banh Giay (symbolizing Earth and Heaven). Millions of Vietnamese pilgrims ascend the stone stairways of the mountain to pray for peace and national prosperity, while the lower courtyards host lively folk contests including bronze drum recitals, rice-cooking competitions, and cross-bow shooting.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): April 16, 2027
- Location: Hung Temple Historical Relic Area, Phu Tho Province
- Traveler Highlights: Grand ceremonial processions, traditional folk wrestling, water puppetry, and visiting the cradle of ancient Dong Son bronze drum culture
The Hung Kings’ Festival is solemnly celebrated.
3. Reunification Day (April 30) & International Labor Day (May 1)
Marking the reunification of the country in 1975, April 30 is a major national holiday celebrated in conjunction with International Labor Day on May 1. Because these dates often link with weekend schedules, they form a major four-to-five-day national holiday break where Vietnamese families travel extensively.
Major metropolitan centers like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City are adorned with red national flags, public concerts, military exhibitions, and dazzling fireworks displays over city harbors and rivers. Coastal resort destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc experience high domestic visitor traffic, making this an energetic time to experience urban celebrations.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): April 30 to May 1, 2027 (Friday & Saturday)
- Where to Experience: Ho Chi Minh City (Reunification Palace, Saigon River fireworks), Hanoi (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, Hoan Kiem Lake fireworks), coastal beach resorts
Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.
4. National Day (September 2)
On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, giving birth to the modern nation of Vietnam. Today, National Day is marked by patriotic fervor, military parades, cultural concerts, and fireworks across the country.
In Hanoi, thousands of citizens dressed in red gather at Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay tribute. In the evening, major public squares across Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City host outdoor musical galas, while city streets are illuminated by elaborate light installations.
- 2026 Date: September 2, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Upcoming 2027 Date: September 2, 2027 (Thursday)
- Where to Experience: Hanoi (Ba Dinh Square, Hoan Kiem Lake), Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Hue Walking Street)
Ba Dinh Square – Where President Ho Chi Minh read the first Declaration of Independence.
Sacred buddhist pilgrimages and folk festivals
5. Perfume Pagoda Festival
Spanning from the 6th day of the first lunar month through the end of the third lunar month (February to April), the Perfume Pagoda Festival is the longest and largest Buddhist pilgrimage festival in northern Vietnam. Situated along the forested limestone mountains of Huong Son commune, roughly 60 kilometers southwest of central Hanoi, the sacred complex encompasses dozens of pagodas, grottos, and shrines carved into the cliffs of Huong Son (Fragrance Mountain).
The pilgrimage begins with a tranquil, hour-long wooden rowboat journey along the scenic Yen Stream, gliding past verdant rice paddies and jagged karst peaks. Pilgrims then hike or take a modern cable car up to Huong Tich Cave (The Dragon’s Grotto), an immense natural cavern housing sacred stone altars where pilgrims pray to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara for fertility, health, and family blessings. It is a standard highlight for travelers exploring customized North Vietnam tours.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): February 7 to May 2027
- Location: Huong Son Commune, Hanoi
- Traveler Highlights: Picturesque boat ride on Yen Stream, cavernous limestone shrine of Huong Tich, early morning mist over karst mountains
Local pilgrims traveling to the Perfume Pagoda Festival in Hanoi.
6. Lim Festival – Quan Ho Folk Singing
Held on the 12th and 13th days of the first lunar month in Tien Du commune, Bac Ninh Province (just 30 kilometers east of central Hanoi), the Lim Festival is a celebration of Quan Ho folk singing, an ancient art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
During the festival, elegantly dressed male singers (Lien Anh) in traditional black tunics and turbans, and female singers (Lien Chi) in vibrant multi-layered silk dresses and wide-brimmed woven conical hats, engage in lyrical courtship singing contests. Performers sing unaccompanied call-and-response melodies across wooden dragon boats floating on scenic village ponds or beneath ancient banyan trees. The grounds of Lim Hill also feature traditional northern folk games including human chess, swinging contests on giant bamboo frames, and wrestling matches.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): February 18 to February 19, 2027 (Thursday & Friday)
- Location: Lim hill, Tien Du commune, Bac Ninh Province
- Traveler Highlights: Live UNESCO Quan Ho singing on dragon boats, authentic northern village folk costumes, bamboo swings
Quan Ho folk singers performing on a boat at Van Tuong Lake, Vietnam.
7. Yen Tu Spring Festival (Le Hoi Xuan Yen Tu)
Perched high on the mist-shrouded peaks of the Dong Trieu mountain range in Quang Ninh Province, Mount Yen Tu (1,068m) is revered as the cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, founded in the late 13th century by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong. The annual Yen Tu Spring Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of monks, pilgrims, and nature lovers seeking spiritual renewal.
The pilgrimage route ascends through ancient pine forests and bamboo groves, passing dozens of historical stone stupas and hermitages before reaching Dong Pagoda (Bronze Pagoda), a solid bronze shrine perched atop the cloud-swept mountain summit. Following the 2025 inscription of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the festival is one of northern Vietnam’s premier spiritual and hiking experiences.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): February 15 to April 2027
- Location: Mount Yen Tu, Quang Ninh Province
- Traveler Highlights: High-altitude Zen hiking, riding modern cable cars above mist-filled valleys, visiting the solid bronze summit pagoda
Yen Tu Pagoda surrounded by scenic mountains in Quang Ninh, Vietnam.
8. Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak)
Celebrated on the full moon of the fourth lunar month (15th day of the 4th lunar month), Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak) commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. Across Vietnam, Mahayana Buddhist pagodas are adorned with colorful Buddhist flags, fresh lotus blossoms, and illuminated lantern displays.
Monasteries and historic temples such as Quan Su Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh, and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Saigon host solemn bathing-of-the-Buddha rituals, dharma discourses, and evening candlelit vigils. In cities like Hue and Hoi An, thousands of devotees assemble on riverbanks to release biodegradable lotus flower lanterns into the water, creating rivers of shimmering golden light.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): May 20, 2027 (Thursday)
- Where to Experience: Hanoi, Ninh Binh (Bai Dinh Pagoda), Hue (Perfume River), Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City
- Traveler Highlights: Evening lantern floating ceremonies, vegetarian food stalls, temple incense blessings
Vesak Day at The One Pillar Pagoda highlights Vietnam’s rich spiritual traditions
9. Vu Lan Festival (Ullambana / Wandering Souls Day)
Observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Vu Lan is one of Vietnam’s most spiritually touching festivals, combining the Buddhist celebration of Ullambana with the traditional custom of honoring deceased ancestors and wandering souls. It is often referred to as Vietnamese Mother’s Day and the Ghost Festival.
Devotees visit pagodas wearing a pinned rose on their chest: a red rose if one’s mother is still living, or a white rose if she has passed away. Families prepare elaborate vegetarian feasts, pray for the peace of departed souls, and make offerings of symbolic paper garments. At dusk, thousands gather along riverfronts in Hoi An, Hue, and Saigon to release floating candlelit paper lanterns onto the water, guiding wandering spirits and sending prayers of filial love.
- 2026 Date: August 27, 2026
- Upcoming 2027 Date: August 16, 2027
- Where to Experience: Hoi An Ancient Town (Thu Bon River), Hue, Ho Chi Minh City (Cholon pagodas)
Family and Seasonal Folk Holidays
10. Mid-Autumn Festival
Occurring on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the autumn moon is at its fullest and brightest, the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) is Vietnam’s most joyous family festival, celebrated with special affection for children. Rooted in ancient agricultural traditions celebrating the successful harvest, the festival has evolved into an enchanting carnival of lights, music, and sweet confections.
In the weeks leading up to the full moon, bakery stalls across the country showcase Banh Trung Thu (Mooncakes), available in traditional baked (Banh Nuong) and soft snowskin (Banh Deo) varieties filled with lotus seeds, mung beans, salted egg yolks, or roasted meats. On festival evening, streets are filled with the energetic drumming of lion dance troupes leaping before shopfronts to bring good luck, while children march in parades carrying illuminated star lanterns and carp lanterns.
- 2026 Date: September 25, 2026 (Friday)
- Upcoming 2027 Date: September 15, 2027 (Wednesday)
- Where to Experience: Hanoi (Hang Ma Street toy market and Old Quarter), Hoi An (pedestrian quarter illuminated entirely by silk lanterns), Ho Chi Minh City (Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street in District 5)
- Traveler Highlights: Vibrant lion dances, mooncake tastings, paper carp lanterns, glowing riverboat rides on Hoi An tours
Children eat sweets and mooncakes on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, also known as the “breaking the feast.”
11. Tet Doan Ngo (Mid-Year Pest-Killing Festival)
Celebrated on the 5th day of the fifth lunar month (usually falling in June), Tet Doan Ngo (also known as the Double Fifth Festival or the “Insect-Killing Festival”) occurs at the summer solstice when the sun reaches its highest point. In ancient agrarian lore, this transition marked the peak emergence of agricultural pests and seasonal diseases.
To “kill the internal parasites” and purify the body, Vietnamese families wake early to consume Ruou Nep (fermented glutinous rice wine that has a sweet, mildly alcoholic taste), sour seasonal fruits (such as plums, lychees, and green mangos), and pyramid-shaped ash cakes made with sticky rice soaked in herbal ash water. While not an official public holiday, walking through local fresh markets in the morning offers a delightful, authentic look at household seasonal traditions.
- Next Upcoming Date (2027): June 9, 2027 (Wednesday)
- Where to Experience: Fresh morning markets across Hanoi, Northen mountain areas, Da Nang, and the Mekong Delta
Distinctive ethnic minority and regional festivals
12. Kate Festival of the Cham People (Le Hoi Kate)
Celebrated during the seventh month of the Cham calendar (typically falling in late September or October), the Kate Festival is the most important spiritual celebration of the Balamon (Hindu) Cham community in south-central Vietnam. Held at ancient red-brick Cham towers in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong Provinces, the festival honors Cham kings, ancestral deities, and the fertility goddess Po Nagar.
The festival begins with solemn costume-dressing ceremonies for sacred Shiva lingams inside temple sanctuaries. Outside in the courtyards, Cham women in flowing white and pastel headscarves perform graceful Apsara dances to the hypnotic melodies of the Saranai oboe and Ginang double-ended drums. It is a rare, living link to the ancient maritime Kingdom of Champa.
- Date: late September to early October (Calculated by Cham lunar calendar)
- Location: Po Klong Garai Towers and Po Rome Towers
- Traveler Highlights: Ancient Cham tower rituals, hypnotic Saranai horn music, colorful traditional Cham weaving exhibitions
The Kate Festival in Khanh Hoa is one of the largest festivals of the Cham community.
13. Ok Om Bok Festival and Ngo Boat Racing (Khmer Heritage)
Celebrated on the full moon of the tenth lunar month (November), Ok Om Bok is the major religious and harvest festival of the Khmer ethnic community in the Mekong Delta, centered in Can Tho and Vinh Long provinces. The festival honors the Moon God for providing bountiful crops, fresh water, and good health.
Families prepare offerings of Com Dep (freshly harvested green sticky rice flattened in wooden mortars) alongside coconuts, bananas, and sweet potatoes. The undisputed highlight of Ok Om Bok is the thrilling Dua Ghe Ngo (Ngo Boat Race), where dozens of massive 30-meter-long wooden dugout boats, each carved with sacred dragon or serpent eyes and crewed by fifty to sixty synchronized rowers, race down the Maspero River amid the cheers of hundreds of thousands of spectators. In the evening, villagers release glowing paper hot-air balloons (Den Gioi) and floating candle boats (Loi Protip) onto river waters.
- 2026 Date: November 23 to November 24, 2026 (Monday & Tuesday)
- Upcoming 2027 Date: November 12 to November 13, 2027 (Friday & Saturday)
- Location: Maspero River, Soc Trang City, and Khmer pagodas in Tra Vinh Province
- Traveler Highlights: High-octane 60-man Ngo boat racing, paper sky lantern releases, flattened green rice tastings
Ngo boat race at the Ok Om Bok festival
14. Hue Festival and Hue Craft Village Festival
Held in the historic former imperial capital of Hue, the Hue Festival is Vietnam’s premier biennial international cultural event, transforming the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments into a living stage of royal art, music, and international performance.
Under its modern “Four Seasons Festival” format, major events occur throughout the year, with the flagship summer carnival featuring grand reenactments of royal ceremonies inside the Forbidden Purple City, performances of Nha Nhac (UNESCO-inscribed Vietnamese Court Music), international street parades, dragon boat races on the Perfume River, and open-air banquets showcasing imperial gastronomy. In alternating years, the Hue Traditional Craft Village Festival highlights royal bronze casting, conical hat making, embroidery, and kite flying. It is a cornerstone of tailored Central Vietnam tours.
- Schedule: All year around – Highlights: late August and September
- Location: Hue Imperial Citadel, An Dinh Palace, and the Perfume River banks
- Traveler Highlights: Royal court music concerts, Ao Dai fashion galas, imperial culinary banquets
Hue Festival’s joyful spirit echoes through time at Hue Ancient Citadel.
15. Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF)
Staged annually along the banks of the Han River in Da Nang across five weekends in June and July, the Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) has grown into one of Asia’s most spectacular modern entertainment events. World-champion pyrotechnic teams from countries such as France, Italy, Australia, the UK, and Vietnam compete with synchronized music, laser projections, and artistic fireworks.
During festival weekends, Da Nang‘s iconic Dragon Bridge and riverfront promenades come alive with international street carnivals, water sports exhibitions, culinary fairs, and live pop concerts, making Da Nang an electrifying summer destination for international travelers.
- Schedule: Weekends from early June to mid-July
- Location: Han River Port and Tran Hung Dao Promenade, Da Nang City
- Traveler Highlights: World-class synchronized pyrotechnic shows, riverfront dining cruises, beach carnival atmosphere
Lux Factory POK 2.0’s performance at DIFF 2026 (Source: DIFF)
Widely celebrated international holidays in Vietnam
16. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Noel – December 24 & 25)
Although Vietnam is predominantly Buddhist and non-Christian, Christmas (locally called Le Giang Sinh or Noel) is celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm across the country. In Vietnamese cities, Christmas is celebrated as a major social, visual, and romantic festival where people of all religious backgrounds take to the illuminated streets to celebrate.
On Christmas Eve (December 24), city centers become pedestrian carnivals. Millions of locals and travelers gather outside historical neo-Gothic cathedrals including St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, the famous pink Tan Dinh Church and Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, and the monumental Phat Diem Stone Cathedral in Ninh Binh. Entire Catholic parish villages construct colossal nativity scenes spanning whole neighborhoods with artificial snow, elaborate neon lighting, and life-size figures. Upscale hotels, international restaurants, and rooftop bars offer lavish multi-course Christmas Eve dinners and holiday buffets.
- Dates: December 24 to December 25
- Where to Experience: Hanoi (St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hoan Kiem walking streets), Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Tan Dinh Pink Church), Ninh Binh (Phat Diem Stone Cathedral)
- Traveler Highlights: Midnight Mass church bells, breathtaking street illumination, fake snow parties, festive dining cruises
Everyone go out and celebrate in Christmas Eve
17. New year’s eve and countdown (December 31 & January 1)
While traditional Vietnamese life revolves around the Lunar New Year, the Western Solar New Year (Tet Duong Lich) on January 1 is an official national public holiday in Vietnam. December 31 is celebrated with massive outdoor Countdown Festivals and electronic dance music concerts hosted by global beverage brands in major city squares.
In Hanoi, hundreds of thousands of partygoers pack August Revolution Square outside the Hanoi Opera House and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Thu Thiem riverfront become vast open-air dance floors leading up to synchronized countdown fireworks over the Saigon River. For travelers seeking a luxurious evening, rooftop cocktail lounges and river dinner cruises provide panoramic views of the midnight fireworks.
- 2026 – 2027 Timing: Evening of December 31, 2026 into January 1
- Where to Experience: Hanoi (August Revolution Square, Hoan Kiem Lake), Ho Chi Minh City (Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Landmark 81, Saigon River), Da Nang (Dragon Bridge and Han River promenade)
- Traveler Highlights: World-class DJ countdown concerts, midnight riverfront fireworks, rooftop champagne galas
Hanoi presented an artistic light show on New Year’s Eve. (Source: VOV)
18. Valentine’s day (February 14)
Valentine’s Day on February 14 is widely celebrated by Vietnamese youth and couples. In traditional Vietnamese culture, expressing affection is deeply valued, and February 14 sees romantic flower stalls popping up along city boulevards selling imported roses, artisan chocolates, and handmade teddy bears.
Couples celebrate by booking romantic rooftop dinners overlooking city skylines, taking evening walks along Da Nang’s Love Bridge where lovers attach personalized padlocks, or riding wooden sampan boats in Hoi An Ancient Town to release floating candlelit paper lanterns into the Thu Bon River together.
- Date: February 14
- Where to Experience: Hoi An (romantic lantern river rides), Da Nang (Love Bridge on Han River), Hanoi (West Lake romantic sunsets)
19. Vietnamese women’s day (October 20) & International women’s day (March 8)
In Vietnam, women are celebrated twice each year: on International Women’s Day (March 8) and on Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20), commemorating the founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union in 1930. Both dates are major social occasions celebrated with sincere gratitude across society.
On these days, streets in every town and city are lined with vibrant temporary flower stands. Men present fresh bouquets of roses, lilies, and orchids to their mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and female colleagues. Restaurants and cafes are booked out for family dinners, and retail boutiques offer special celebratory promotions. Walking through urban flower markets during these dates provides a warm, delightful glimpse of Vietnamese family values.
- Dates: October 20 | March 8
- Where to Experience: Nationwide across all cities, flower markets, and local dining districts
Cultural etiquette during festivals and holidays in Vietnam
To ensure your presence is respectful and welcomed by local communities, follow these fundamental Vietnam travel tips when attending traditional festivals:
- Dress Modestly at Sacred Sites: When entering Buddhist pagodas, communal houses, or ancestral shrines during festivals, wear clothing that covers your shoulders, chest, and knees. Avoid tank tops, short shorts, or sheer fabrics.
- Step Over Door Thresholds: Never step directly on the raised wooden threshold of temple and pagoda doorways. In Vietnamese tradition, the threshold symbolizes the boundary of the sanctuary; step cleanly over it.
- Respect Prayer and Ritual Spaces: Avoid walking directly between praying devotees and altar statues. If you wish to take portraits of monks, elders, or festival performers, ask politely beforehand with a smile and a nod.
- Mind Personal Valuables in Crowds: Large festival gatherings (such as the Perfume Pagoda or Lim Festival) can draw tens of thousands of people into tight quarters. Keep your phone, wallet, and passport in a secure, zippered cross-body bag worn in front of you.
- Make Donations Properly: If you wish to make a merit donation at a festival temple, place folded banknotes into the designated locked wooden donation boxes (Hop Cong Duc) rather than scattering money on sacred statues.
Pro tips for visiting during Tet
- Book Transportation Months in Advance: Domestic flights, sleeper trains, and intercity buses between major cities are completely sold out weeks ahead as millions travel home. Book all regional transit three to four months early.
- Plan for Holiday Surcharges: Many private drivers, tour services, and restaurants apply a 20% to 30% holiday surcharge during the first three days of Tet to compensate staff working on the holiday.
- Carry Sufficient Cash in VND: ATMs are frequently drained of cash before the holiday weekend and bank branches are closed. Carry enough local cash for meals and shopping.
- Learn Basic Tet Greetings: Greet locals with a warm smile and say “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” (Happy New Year) or “An Khang Thinh Vuong” (Security, Good Health and Prosperity).
Plan Your Vietnam Festival Journey with Paradise Travel
Paradise Travel is a licensed international tour operator and premier destination management company based in Hanoi. Established in 2005, our company operates under International Tour Operator License No. 01-2161/2023/TCDL-GP LHQT and has received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2018, 2019, and 2024. Our veteran travel specialists design tailor-made private tours, holiday transfers, and culturally immersive festival journeys across Vietnam.
Whether you want to experience the tranquil charm of Hanoi during Lunar New Year, celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve on a luxury cruise, witness the grand royal ceremonies of the Hue Festival on a Central Vietnam tour, explore spring temple pilgrimages on a North Vietnam tour, or embark on a grand cross-country Vietnam discovery tour, our local team will build an itinerary around your preferred festival dates and travel style.
Get in touch with our team for personalized holiday planning, festival ticket arrangements, and a complimentary itinerary proposal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam Festivals & Holidays
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I reckon that you want to say “immerse yourself” instead of “emerge”. Anw, thanks a lot for your informative article ^^