Vietnam’s holidays are official days designated by the government where most businesses, schools and public offices are closed. These holidays commemorate significant historical events, honor ancestors and celebrate the changing of seasons or lunar calendar milestones. For the Vietnamese, these are not just days off but meaningful times to reunite with family, pay respect to heritage and indulge in traditional customs.
Vietnamese Traditional New Year – TẾT – is the most important holiday in Vietnam
Below are the most important public holidays recognized nationwide:
First day of the Lunar New Year for 2026, 2027 and 2028:
Among all, Tết is undoubtedly the most significant and widely celebrated. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and symbolizes new beginnings.
Key customs include:
Economic and Social Impacts:
While holidays are a time of joy, they also present practical challenges:
Under Vietnamese labor law, employees are entitled to paid days off on national holidays. Key points include:
New Year and Full-Moon holidays in Vietnam
Vietnam’s diverse ethnic makeup leads to various regional celebrations:
With globalization and a youthful population, new trends are shaping how Vietnamese people celebrate holidays:
Holidays offer both opportunities and challenges for the tourism industry:
Pros:
Cons:
Tips for travelers:
Vietnam’s national holidays are more than calendar events; they are windows into the heart of the nation’s heritage, values and community spirit. From the profound reverence of Tết to the patriotic pride of National Day, these celebrations showcase the richness of Vietnamese culture. Whether you’re observing from afar or joining the festivities on the ground, understanding these holidays is a step closer to appreciating the soul of Vietnam.
✅ Bonus Tip: If you’re doing business in Vietnam, always check the holiday calendar in advance. Planning around these dates can save you from unexpected delays or missed opportunities.
Vietnam is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for Western travelers looking for an immersive holiday experience. From its stunning landscapes to its rich cultural traditions, Vietnam tours offer a blend of adventure and cultural discovery that few countries can match. For those planning a trip, understanding the unique culture in Vietnam and the festive spirit during holidays will enrich any travel experience.
Hung Kings’ Temple Festival
When you travel to Vietnam during its holidays, you enter a world of vibrant colors, ancient customs and lively celebrations. Unlike typical Western holidays, Vietnamese festivals are deeply rooted in traditions that have been passed down through generations. The most significant holiday is Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which usually falls between late January and early February. During this time, families gather to honor ancestors, enjoy traditional foods and welcome the new year with hope and blessings.
Other holidays like the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day showcase Vietnam’s rich cultural tapestry with lantern parades, mooncakes and ceremonial rituals. Western travelers can witness and even participate in these unique festivities, creating memories that go beyond typical sightseeing.
One of the greatest advantages of visiting Vietnam during its holidays is the opportunity to see the country in its most authentic light. The streets come alive with colorful festivals, street markets and cultural shows that attract international visitors and locals alike. These vibrant scenes offer fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to connect with Vietnamese people on a deeper level.
Holiday markets are brimming with local crafts, seasonal food and traditional decorations which make for unique souvenirs. Traveling during this time means you experience the country beyond just famous landmarks. You get a real sense of the seasons in Vietnam as festivals align with seasonal changes, reflecting the rhythms of rural and urban life.
Additionally, participating in Vietnam family tours during holidays can be particularly rewarding. These tours often include home visits and cultural workshops that allow travelers to share meals and stories with Vietnamese families. This adds a personal touch that typical tours might miss.
Nha Trang Beach in a holiday
However, traveling during holidays in Vietnam comes with some challenges. Prices for flights and accommodations tend to be higher due to increased demand. Hotels and planes can become fully booked quickly so planning ahead is essential, especially if you are using services like Vietnam car rental to explore more remote areas.
Another factor to consider is that some attractions and restaurants may close or have reduced hours during major holidays such as Tết. While this may be inconvenient, it is a reflection of the country’s respect for family time and traditional customs. Being flexible with your Vietnam itinerary and embracing these moments of quiet can also add to the authenticity of your trip.
Language barriers and cultural differences may become more pronounced during festival times as locals focus on their celebrations. But with some preparation, learning basic Vietnamese greetings and customs can ease interactions and enhance your experience.
For Western travelers planning a holiday trip to Vietnam, early booking is crucial. Secure your flights and hotels months in advance especially if you plan to visit during peak holidays. Using a reliable Vietnam travel service gives you the freedom to explore popular holiday destinations and hidden gems at your own pace.
When creating your Vietnam tour itinerary, include major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where festivities are grand and vibrant. Smaller towns like Hoi An offer charming lantern festivals that are magical during holidays. Participating in a journey in Vietnam can help you gain insider access to local traditions and authentic holiday meals.
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4 Days/ 3 Nights from $3855
9 Days/ 8 Nights from $9446
16 Days/ 15 Nights from $2,3727
12 Days/ 11 Nights from $2,2078
13 Days/ 12 Nights from $9559
12 Days/ 11 Nights from $1,39810
Basic information about Vietnam travelers may need before making a Vietnam holiday
Country name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam – CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM
Capital: Hanoi 
Flag: The flag is red with a five-pointed gold star in the center
Currency: Vietnam ĐỒNG (VND) is paper currency of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000
Population as of 2024: ~ 100 million
Exchange rate as of Dec. 2024: 1 US$ ~ 25,500 VND
Time zone: GMT + 7
Vietnam is on the eastern coast of mainland of Southeast Asia, it shares the border with China to the North, Laos to the West and Cambodia to the Southwest
Vietnam is located in the sub-tropical area lying between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Vietnam has 2 climate sections: The North and The Central + the South
In the north, winter/ dry season is from November to March, it is cool and sometimes the temperature can fall to 5°c or even below zero in mountainous areas. This is the best time to visit Northern Vietnam
The summer/ rainy season extends from mid-April to mid-October; the city of Hanoi has a mean annual rainfall of 170 cm, and in the mountains, annual rainfall sometimes exceeds 400 cm. During summer, the average temperature in Hanoi is about 28°c – 34°c
The south is more tropical; temperatures in the Central (Da Nang) and the South (Ho Chi Minh City) vary only from 20 – 35°c throughout the year.
There are 54 groups in Vietnam in which Viet group (or Kinh) is nearly 90% of the population
The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese (Chữ Quốc Ngữ).
Main daily means of transportations of Vietnamese people are motorbikes. Cars are also popular in recent years.
Vietnam has a long railways system across the country which was first built in the early 1900s by the French. Vietnam has about 20 airports and there are many flights traveling between North – Central – South
Passport/ visa (if required), Travel insurance, Vaccination, Credit/debit card and some cash, Flight tickets, etc.
You must have a valid passport and must be valid for at least six months since the time you enter Vietnam. Be sure your passport has at least one blank visa page
Vietnam visa exemption: Passport holders from these European countries can visit Vietnam under 15 days without visa: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom
If you are required a visa to Vietnam or above mentioned country travelers visit Vietnam from 15 days up, please read our visa and visa on arrival to Vietnam page
Vietnam is an elongated country with plenty of attractions from North to South. It depends on your plan to decide how many days for your trip. If you intend to visit only one region (the North, the Central or the South), 4 or 7 days are enough while to discover all three regions in Vietnam, we recommend you spend at least 8 days for your trip. If you travel for 13 days or more, you will have a chance to visit Laos and Cambodia as well.
Check out our Vietnam tour itinerary samples for your information
Vietnamese currency is Vietnam Đồng (đ). In Vietnam, only Vietnam Dong (VND) is accepted in any purchasing transactions. At some places like hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores, etc., travelers can use $USD, $AU, Euro or British pound sterling to pay for the goods and services.
Tourists can exchange money at some banks in Vietnam which are easily found at airports and main cities.
Check with your departure immigration gate for the amount one person can bring first then you need to report to the arrival immigration in Vietnam if you bring over US $5000 (per person).
You should not prepare VND before your Vietnam trip since the exchange rate in your country may not be favorable. It is advisable to have your money exchanged at arrival airport or bank in Vietnam for a better rate.
Tourists can check daily exchange rates here. Normally, buying rates shall be applied by banks
– We used 220V, 50Hz and 2 & 3 – pin electricity sockets in Vietnam. Most hotels provide electric outlets which accept many plug shapes. Universal travel adaptors are needed if you travel with many devices.
– Wifi connection is relatively good in hotels, coffee shops and restaurants in Vietnam. Take advantage of free wifi to contact your family and friends through Skype, Viber or Whatsapp.
– Before traveling to mountainous areas, we highly recommend you prepare a SIM Card 3G or 4G service. Our guests can check with us then we will prepare a free SIM Card
With over 3000 KMs coastal line and over 4000 years of history, Vietnam is well-known for its history, culture, beaches, rivers, well-preserved nature landscapes, Buddhist pagodas as well as bustling cities. These are top 5 Vietnam travel destinations travelers should not miss in their tours to Vietnam:
The UNESCO world heritage site is famous for its beauty and mysterious allure. Halong Bay is a place that invites travelers and adventures with thousands of islets, islands raising from calm water. Located in northern Vietnam, 180 KMs from Hanoi, Halong Bay is a destination you should not miss. You will be able to visit Halong Bay during your trip to Vietnam and see this beauty for yourself. Remember to selfie with the Fighting Cocks Island when you are on a Halong Bay Cruise.
Capital of the country, Hanoi is an old, antique and unique city. With more than 1000 years of history, Hanoi is famous for friendly people, amazing street foods, French colonial buildings, Old Quarter Area, many museums, walking streets, etc. Taking a Hanoi city tour, a selfie with Restored Sword Lake is recommended.
30 KMs from Da Nang beach city, Hoi An is a lovely little town. The Ancient Town of Hoi An is a living museum and is recognized as one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites, attracting a lot of tourists every year.
Visiting Hoi An, you can take a walking or cycling tour to discover the ancient town with Covered Bridge, Ancient Houses, nearby vegetable or fishing villages.
Nha Trang is nearly 500KM from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can get there by daily trains or 1-hour flights from Ho Chi Minh City. There are 2-hours daily flights from Hanoi to the city, too.
Nha Trang is famous for many long, sandy and fresh beaches. Travelers can choose a budget hotel in town or luxury beach resort to enjoy their vacation in Nha Trang. There are many interesting activities for travel to choose: surfing, snorkeling, bicycle tours, spa treatments, meditation, yoga, etc.
Considered as rice basket of Vietnam, Mekong delta covers a large agriculture land area in the South of the country with a complex river system.
Travelers can visit Mekong Delta in a 1-day trip or up to over 5 days to discover the delta
Visit to the Mekong Delta to see amazing local people activities: children riding on the backs of water buffalo or cycling to school through country lanes clad in white ao dai (long dresses); farmers stopping in a sea of emerald; market vendors grinning behind stacks of fruit; bright yellow incense sticks drying at the roadside…
Vietnam is considered “kitchen of the world” for its delicious dishes. Joining a cooking class – which are available in many cities – and enjoy your products would be an unforgettable experience
Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) are the realms of exotic local cuisine. Be sure not to miss Pho, Bun Cha and Nem, the most famous Vietnamese traditional dishes. Taking a walking tour around Saigon and Hanoi walking streets is amazing to enjoy the atmosphere as well.
If you are going to spend your holidays in Vietnam during late January and February, do not miss the chance to welcome Vietnamese New Year with a local family. Tết is the most important time of Vietnamese and you will be houseowners’ very important guest at that time.
Spend your holiday time on sunny beaches in Vietnam is also a smart choice. Vietnam has top world rank beaches namely Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc… which are fresh and sunny all year round
With many well-preserved parks, Vietnam is also a choice for camping trips. Cuc Phuong, Cat Ba National Parks in the North, Tra Su, Nam Cat Tien in the South or Da Lat city in Central Highland are options
The main school holiday in Vietnam is during the summer and lasts around 2 to 2.5 months, typically from late May or early June to late-August, giving students a substantial break before returning to school in September.
In Vietnam, the school year typically runs from early September to late May, with the official start marked by “Ngày Khai Giảng” – the School Opening Ceremony – held nationwide on September 5. This day is a formal and festive event, with speeches, performances and student participation to welcome the new academic year.
It is noted that airfares and train fares are more expensive during public holidays. Moreover, keep in mind that tickets will be sold out very quickly one month before 30 April/ 01 May and Tet holidays. Therefore, let Paradise Travel help you buy Vietnam domestic air and train tickets at reasonable prices.
During Tet holiday, most services such as tourist sites, restaurants, stores and tour operators will be closed in first three days in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, beaches in Vietnam are normally empty this time, which is ideal for you to enjoy tranquil atmosphere. We recommend some destinations you can travel during Tet:
During other national holidays, avoid famous beach destinations – Ha Long, Sam Son, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau. These places will be crowded with domestic tourists.
Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam. No matter how busy modern life is, we still spend time preparing and decorating for this festive season. People often spend time indoor with families and most stores, shopping malls, museums, and restaurants will be closed.
North of Vietnam and Hanoi are getting warmer during Tet holiday with sunlight appears sometimes. The average temperature in Hanoi and Halong Bay is around 15 to 20 °C with low humidity, while it is still cool in highland travel areas of Sapa and Ha Giang. There is not much rain this season and is among the best time of the year to visit this area. It is still a bit cold sometimes in some parts of Northern Vietnam so travelers should prepare warm clothes.
Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Central area, and to the South with Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta are much warmer with the average temperature around 26 – 30 °C, a good time to visit or relax on the beach.
Generally speaking, the prices for a Vietnam tour during the first three days of Tet holiday can be 20-30% more expensive than usual.
During the first three days of Tet, we advise that you stay in one place and avoid travelling within the country.
Don’t wait until the last minute to work on your visa since immigration offices are very busy before Tet holiday. Contact us and we will help you to prepare letter of visa on arrival to Vietnam free of charge.
Tet is not a peak season for domestic travelling, so you don’t need to worry about shortages of hotel rooms during Tet. We can help you to book a 3, 4 or 5-star hotel. Some hotels will organize New Year celebration, so book in advance to join the fun.
Vietnam’s climate is varied, which means that the best time to travel to the country in terms of the weather will depend on where precisely you want to go and what you want to do. Broadly speaking, though, Vietnam’s weather patterns can be split into north and south, with two monsoons affecting the climate.
The winter monsoon that runs from October to March typically makes the north of the country cool and damp, while the south is dry and warm. From April or May to October, the summer monsoon generally leads to the whole nation becoming quite humid and hot – except for around the mountains.
Western’s holidays are not official holidays in Vietnam but they are getting more well-known by Vietnamese people. On Christmas and New Year Eve, many hotels will decorate their exterior and interior as well as serving holiday buffet dinner to customers. On New Year Eve, there will be count down parties and celebrations in major cities such as Hanoi, HCMC, Nha Trang,… On Easter and Thanksgiving, decorations might applied to some hotels but there will not be any holiday dinner served at the hotel.
