Short answer: When is Tet in Vietnam? The next Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, the first day of the Year of the Goat (Dinh Mui). The official public holiday for state employees runs for seven days, from Thursday 4 February to Wednesday 10 February 2027. For context, Tet 2026 in Vietnam fell on Tuesday 17 February 2026. Tet is Vietnam's biggest festival: streets fill with peach blossom and kumquat trees in the week before, families travel home, and many small shops close for the first three days. Visitors can have a wonderful time, as long as they book transport early and plan around closures.
This guide explains the Tet 2027 dates, what the festival means, what stays open, how busy trains, flights and hotels get, the customs guests should respect, and where to see the celebrations. Every date below was checked on 6 November 2026 against an official notice, the Hong Kong Observatory calendar or a named Vietnamese news report, as shown next to it. For the wider picture of planning a trip, start with our complete Vietnam travel guide.
When is Tet in Vietnam?
Tet in Vietnam falls on the first day of the first lunar month, which lands between late January and mid February. In 2027, that day is Saturday 6 February 2027. Because Tet follows the lunar calendar, the Gregorian date moves every year, so always check the specific year before you book.
We confirmed the 2027 date two ways. The Hong Kong Observatory's Gregorian and lunar conversion table for 2027 shows the first lunar month starting on 6 February 2027. Vietnam's own holiday notice, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs as Notice No. 11483/TB-BNV on 9 October 2026 and published by the Ha Tinh provincial government, maps 4 February 2027 to the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month and 10 February 2027 to the 5th day of the first lunar month, which places the first day of Tet on 6 February.
Tet 2027 date box (Checked: 6 Nov 2026)
| Event | Lunar date | Gregorian date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ong Cong Ong Tao (Kitchen Gods day) | 23rd day, 12th lunar month | Saturday 30 January 2027 | Hong Kong Observatory 2027 table |
| Official holiday begins (state employees) | 28th day, 12th lunar month | Thursday 4 February 2027 | Ministry of Home Affairs Notice 11483/TB-BNV |
| Tat nien (year end) and Giao thua (New Year's Eve) | 29th day, 12th lunar month (last day of the year) | Friday 5 February 2027, midnight into 6 February | Hong Kong Observatory 2027 table |
| Tet, first day of the Year of the Goat | 1st day, 1st lunar month | Saturday 6 February 2027 | Hong Kong Observatory and Ministry of Home Affairs mapping |
| Second and third days of Tet | 2nd and 3rd days, 1st lunar month | Sunday 7 and Monday 8 February 2027 | Hong Kong Observatory 2027 table |
| Official holiday ends | 5th day, 1st lunar month | Wednesday 10 February 2027 | Ministry of Home Affairs Notice 11483/TB-BNV |
| Hoi An lantern night after Tet | 14th day, 1st lunar month | Friday 19 February 2027 | Hong Kong Observatory 2027 table |
| First full moon of the year (Nguyen Tieu) | 15th day, 1st lunar month | Saturday 20 February 2027 | Hong Kong Observatory 2027 table |
Note that the twelfth lunar month of the outgoing year has only 29 days, so there is no "30th" of the month before Tet 2027. New Year's Eve is the night of Friday 5 February.
Tet dates for recent and coming years
| Year | Animal year | First day of Tet | Official holiday for state employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Horse (Binh Ngo) | Tuesday 17 February 2026 | 9 days, 14 to 22 February 2026 (Vietnam Government News) |
| 2027 | Goat (Dinh Mui) | Saturday 6 February 2027 | 7 days, 4 to 10 February 2027 (Ministry of Home Affairs) |
| 2028 | Monkey (Mau Than) | Wednesday 26 January 2028 (Hong Kong Observatory table) | Not yet announced |
A small caution on 2028: Vietnam keeps its own lunar calendar based on Vietnam's time zone, which very occasionally puts Tet a day apart from Chinese New Year. For 2026 and 2027 the dates match. For 2028, treat 26 January as the expected date until Vietnam announces its holiday schedule, usually in the autumn of the year before.
How long is the Tet holiday in 2027?
The official Tet 2027 holiday for civil servants and public employees is seven consecutive days, from Thursday 4 February to Wednesday 10 February 2027. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs notice, this is made of five statutory Tet days (two before Tet and three after) plus two compensatory days because the holiday overlaps a weekend. Offices reopen on Thursday 11 February 2027.
Private companies do not have to copy that schedule exactly. As reported by Lao Cai provincial newspaper, employers choose one of three patterns of five Tet days (one, two or three days before New Year, with the rest after), and the ministry encourages them to match the public sector break. In practice, many Vietnamese people take a week or more, which is why travel demand stretches well beyond the official dates.
The 2027 break is shorter than 2026, when state employees had nine days from 14 to 22 February 2026. If you remember Tet 2026 as unusually long, that is why.
What is Tet and how is it celebrated?
Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan (Tết Nguyên Đán), is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important celebration in the country. It marks the start of spring and a fresh start for every family. As the Wikipedia overview of Tet explains, the name combines the Sino Vietnamese words for "festival" and "first morning of the year".
For most Vietnamese families, Tet is less a party than a homecoming. People who work in big cities travel back to their home provinces, houses are cleaned and repaired, debts are settled where possible, and the family gathers around the ancestors' altar. Think of the feeling Nepali families have at Dashain, when everyone heads home to receive tika from elders: that is the closest comparison for a Nepali reader.
The three stages of Tet
| Stage | Vietnamese name | 2027 timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and farewell to the old year | Ong Cong Ong Tao, then Tat nien | 30 January to 5 February 2027 | Kitchen Gods are sent off, homes are cleaned, flower and kumquat markets boom, families share a year end meal |
| New Year's Eve | Giao thua | Night of 5 February 2027 | Offerings at home altars, official fireworks at midnight in many cities, people visit pagodas |
| The New Year | Nam moi (Mung 1, 2 and 3) | 6 to 8 February 2027 | First footing, lucky money for children, visits to relatives, friends and teachers, pagoda visits |
| Return to normal | After Mung 4 | From 9 February 2027 | Shops reopen gradually, offices reopen 11 February, spring festivals continue for weeks |
Ong Cong Ong Tao: the Kitchen Gods leave on 30 January 2027
The Tet season really begins a week early, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. In 2027 that is Saturday 30 January. On this day families make offerings to Ong Cong Ong Tao, the household and Kitchen Gods, who are believed to ride a carp to heaven to report on the family's year to the Jade Emperor, returning on New Year's Eve (see Ong Tao on Wikipedia). Many families release live carp into ponds, lakes and rivers as part of the send off, as Hanoi Times describes, so if you are in Hanoi around 30 January you may see people at lakesides with small bags of fish.
Giao thua: the midnight moment
Giao thua is the passage from the old year to the new at midnight. Families lay out an offering tray, light incense, and many people step outside to watch official fireworks or walk to a local pagoda. In 2026, Hanoi's midnight fireworks ran for 15 minutes from 12:00 am to 12:15 am on 17 February, at 33 locations across the city, while Ho Chi Minh City staged displays at 17 locations, according to VietNamNet's report from the countdown.
Food you will see at Tet
Tet has its own menu, and much of it is prepared days in advance so nobody has to cook or shop in the first days of the year.
- Banh chung: a square sticky rice cake filled with mung bean and pork, wrapped in leaves and boiled for hours. It is most popular in the north and is said to represent the earth.
- Banh tet: the cylindrical cousin of banh chung, more common in the south.
- Mam ngu qua: a tray of five fruits placed on the ancestors' altar. The fruits chosen vary by region.
- Mut Tet: candied fruits, seeds and coconut ribbons offered to guests with tea.
- Pickled vegetables and cold cuts: such as pickled onions and Vietnamese pork sausage, which keep well through the holiday.
If food is a big reason for your trip, our guide to Vietnamese dishes worth trying covers everyday favourites such as pho, bun cha and banh mi, which are easier to find once the first days of Tet are over.
Is it a good time to travel in Vietnam?
Tet is a good time to travel in Vietnam if you want to see the country at its most festive and you are happy to plan ahead. It is a poor time if you want quiet streets, cheap last minute deals, or every restaurant open. The best approach for most visitors is to arrive in the week before Tet, settle in one city for the first three days, and move around again from the fourth or fifth day.
Pros and cons of a Tet trip
| Why go at Tet | What to plan around |
|---|---|
| Streets decorated with red banners, lanterns, peach blossom and kumquat trees | Many family run shops, markets and street food stalls close for the first three days |
| Flower markets and flower streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the days before New Year | Trains, buses and domestic flights around the holiday sell out early |
| Official midnight fireworks in major cities | Hotels in popular spots fill up and room rates rise with demand |
| Big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City feel calmer once workers leave for their home towns | Fewer taxi and ride hailing drivers on the first days, so waits can be longer |
| Pleasant dry weather in the centre and south in February | The north can be cool and grey, so pack layers |
What is the weather like at Tet?
Tet 2027 falls in early February, which is a comfortable month for most of Vietnam. Our month by month guide to the best time to visit Vietnam rates February as an excellent month overall.
| Region | Key places | Typical early February weather | What to pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa | Mild to cool and mostly dry; cold spells can push Hanoi nights into single digits Celsius, and Sapa is colder | Light jacket and a warm layer, more for Sapa |
| Centre | Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An | Drying out and pleasant after the rainy season | Light clothes plus a thin layer for evenings |
| South | Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc | Dry and warm | Summer clothes, sun protection |
Who enjoys Tet most, and who should avoid it?
- Culture lovers and photographers: the week before Tet is the most visual time of the year, with flower markets, calligraphers writing New Year couplets and families carrying trees on motorbikes.
- Honeymooners and couples: lantern lit Hoi An and the decorated streets of Hanoi are romantic at Tet, but book hotels early and accept a slower pace for a few days.
- Families with children: children usually love the colour and the fireworks. Pick a hotel with its own restaurant so meals are easy while local eateries close.
- Budget travellers: Tet is the most expensive time of year to travel inside Vietnam. If saving money matters most, travel two or three weeks after Tet instead.
- Travellers on a tight schedule: if you only have a few days and want to cover several cities, avoid the days either side of New Year, when moving around is hardest.
What is open and closed during Tet?
During Tet, most large hotels, resorts, airports, major tourist attractions and chain businesses stay open, while government offices close for the official holiday and many small family businesses close for at least the first three days of the New Year. The closures are heaviest on the first day (6 February 2027) and ease from the fourth or fifth day. There is no single national rule for private businesses, so treat the table below as a guide, not a guarantee.
Before, during and after Tet 2027
| Place or service | Before Tet (30 Jan to 5 Feb 2027) | During Tet (6 to 8 Feb 2027) | After Tet (from 9 Feb 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government offices | Open until the holiday starts on 4 February | Closed (official holiday 4 to 10 February) | Reopen Thursday 11 February |
| Banks | Open but busy until the holiday | Most branches closed; ATMs operate | Branches reopen with the end of the holiday |
| Local markets | Extremely busy, extra Tet stalls and flower markets | Mostly closed or very quiet | Reopen gradually through the first week |
| Street food stalls and small family restaurants | Open, often busy | Many closed, especially on the first day | Most back by the end of the first week |
| Hotel restaurants and international chains | Open | Usually open | Open |
| Supermarkets and shopping malls | Open with long hours and crowds | Often shorter hours; some close on the first day | Normal hours return within a few days |
| Major sights, parks, pagodas and temples | Open | Usually open; pagodas very busy with local worshippers | Open, busy with domestic tourists |
| Museums | Open | Hours vary; check each museum before you go | Open |
| Taxis and ride hailing | Running, heavy demand | Running, fewer drivers and longer waits | Demand stays high as people return to cities |
| Trains, long distance buses, domestic flights | Running at peak capacity, often sold out | Running, quieter on the first day itself | Very busy as people return to work |
Practical tips for the closed days
- Withdraw enough Vietnamese dong for several days before 4 February 2027, in case nearby ATMs run low or your card has a problem while banks are closed.
- Choose accommodation with its own restaurant or breakfast, or stay in a central area where hotels and international chains cluster.
- Buy water, snacks and any medicine you need before New Year's Eve.
- Do not plan tailoring, laundry, SIM card registration or other errands for the first three days of Tet.
- If you need a visa, sort it out well before you travel, because Vietnam's public offices observe the official holiday. See our Vietnam visa page for current guidance.
How busy are transport and hotels?
Transport and hotels around Tet are the busiest of the whole year in Vietnam. Millions of people travel to their home provinces before New Year and back to the cities afterwards, and domestic tourism has grown on top of that. If your trip touches the Tet window, book trains, domestic flights and hotels as soon as your dates are fixed.
Tet travel by the numbers
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors served nationwide during the nine day Tet 2026 holiday | About 14 million, up 12% year on year | Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, via Vietnam Government News |
| Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City during Tet 2026 | About 4.32 million, average room occupancy 75% | Same report |
| Visitors to Hanoi during Tet 2026 | About 1.34 million, occupancy above 72% at four and five star hotels | Same report |
| International arrivals during Tet 2026 | Da Nang about 510,000; Hue about 238,200; Hanoi 217,000; Ho Chi Minh City about 170,000 | Same report |
| Tet 2027 train tickets on sale | From 8:00 am on 5 September 2026, about 300,000 tickets | VietnamPlus (Vietnam News Agency) |
| Tet 2027 train travel window | 23 January to 25 February 2027 | VietnamPlus |
| Booking limit for Tet 2027 trains | Up to 10 tickets each way per customer | VietnamPlus |
| First day of Tet 2026 train sales | More than 22,000 tickets sold in just over four hours, out of about 330,000 seats for the season | Saigon Giai Phong |
Checked: 6 Nov 2026, against the sources linked in the table. Figures for 2026 are past results, shown to give a sense of scale.
Do trains sell out during Tet?
Popular departures do. Seats on the main north to south line are in heaviest demand in the days just before New Year and for return journeys in the week after, and sleeper berths on those dates are the first to go. Tet 2027 train tickets went on sale on 5 September 2026, five months before New Year. For Tet 2026, more than 22,000 tickets were sold in just over four hours on the first day of sales, out of roughly 330,000 seats offered for the season, according to Saigon Giai Phong. Not every train sells out, but by the time most foreign visitors start planning in November or December, the most convenient dates can be hard to get.
If you have your heart set on a scenic train ride, such as the stretch between Hue and Da Nang, schedule it outside the busiest days. Departures on the first day of Tet itself can be quieter, because most travellers want to be home by then, but this is not guaranteed.
Domestic flights and buses
Domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City fill quickly in the two weeks before Tet and the week after. Airlines put Tet seats on sale months ahead: according to CafeF, the Vietnam Airlines group opened Tet 2027 sales on 25 August 2026 with nearly 3.7 million domestic and international seats, and Vietjet planned about 3.1 million seats for 22 January to 20 February 2027. Even with that extra capacity, the most convenient flights go first. Long distance buses are also crowded; if you take one, allow extra time for traffic leaving and entering the big cities.
Hotels and homestays
Hotels in the main tourist cities stay open through Tet, and the tourism authority's Tet 2026 figures show average room occupancy of 75% in Ho Chi Minh City, above 72% at four and five star hotels in Hanoi, and 75% to 80% in Lam Dong, the province around Da Lat. The pressure is strongest in beach and heritage towns that Vietnamese families visit on holiday, such as Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat and Phu Quoc. Smaller guesthouses and homestays run by local families may close for a few days so the owners can celebrate, so confirm directly that your booking will be serviced over Tet.
Booking checklist for a Tet trip
- Fix your dates first, then check them against the Tet 2027 calendar above.
- Book international flights and hotels together, as early as you can.
- Book any train or domestic flight inside Vietnam as soon as it is on sale. Avoid moving between cities from about 3 to 6 February and 9 to 11 February 2027 if you can.
- Plan to stay put in one city from New Year's Eve to the third day of Tet.
- Ask every hotel and tour provider whether they operate normally over Tet, and what changes.
- Keep a buffer day before any international departure, in case of delays.
What customs should visitors respect?
Visitors at Tet should respect a few simple customs: be positive and polite, avoid arguments and bad news, accept invitations warmly, dress neatly when visiting homes or pagodas, and be careful about being the first visitor to someone's house on New Year's Day. Vietnamese hosts are generous with foreign guests and forgiving of small mistakes, but knowing the basics helps you feel part of the occasion.
Key Tet customs explained
| Custom | What it is | What it means for a visitor |
|---|---|---|
| Li xi (lucky money) | New banknotes in red envelopes, given by elders to children (called mung tuoi in the north) | If you visit a family with children, bringing a few red envelopes with small new notes is a kind gesture. Hand them over with both hands. |
| Xong dat (first footing) | The first person to enter a home on New Year's Day is believed to shape the family's luck for the year, so hosts often choose a respected, cheerful person | Do not drop in on a Vietnamese home on the first day of Tet unless you have been invited for that time. |
| Ancestor altars | Every home altar is cleaned and filled with incense, fruit, flowers and food offerings for ancestors | Do not touch, move or photograph the offerings without asking. If invited, lighting a stick of incense is a respectful gesture. |
| Banh chung and banh tet | Square (north) and cylindrical (south) sticky rice cakes made for Tet | Accept a slice if offered; it is part of the welcome. |
| Peach blossom and hoa mai | Pink peach blossom (hoa dao) decorates homes in the north; yellow hoa mai blossom in the centre and south | Admire the branches, but never pick blossoms in public places or private gardens. |
| Kumquat trees | Potted kumquat trees, heavy with fruit, are popular in the north and centre and symbolise abundance | Do not pick the fruit, even if a tree is in a hotel lobby. |
| Ong Cong Ong Tao | Send off for the Kitchen Gods on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month (30 January 2027) | A good day to watch families making offerings and releasing carp at lakes and rivers. |
| Chuc Tet (New Year wishes) | Greetings for health, peace and prosperity | Learn "Chuc mung nam moi" (Happy New Year). Locals will love it. |
Do's and don'ts for Tet guests
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Say "Chuc mung nam moi" to hotel staff, drivers and hosts | Arguing, complaining loudly or showing anger, which many people see as bad luck at the start of the year |
| Bring a small gift such as fruit, tea or sweets if invited to a home | Visiting a family on the first day without an invitation (first footing) |
| Dress modestly and cover shoulders and knees at pagodas | Wearing all white to a family visit, as white is traditionally linked with mourning |
| Accept food and drink offered by hosts, even a small taste | Talking about death, illness or bad news |
| Tip staff who work over the holiday, if you are happy with the service | Sweeping or throwing rubbish out of a host's house during the first days, which is said to sweep luck away |
| Ask before photographing people, altars and offerings | Picking flowers, fruit or branches from Tet decorations |
For general etiquette that applies all year, such as temple dress, table manners and gestures, read our guide to do's and don'ts in Vietnam.
Useful Tet phrases
| Vietnamese (without accents) | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Chuc mung nam moi | Happy New Year | With anyone, any time during Tet |
| An khang thinh vuong | Security, good health and prosperity | A warm wish for hosts and older people |
| Van su nhu y | May everything go as you wish | Often paired with the greeting above |
| Cam on | Thank you | When receiving food, tea or a gift |
Are there fireworks for Tet in Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam's major cities hold official fireworks displays at midnight on New Year's Eve, and these are the main fireworks most visitors will see. Private use is tightly limited: under Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, which took effect on 11 January 2021, individuals may only use consumer fireworks that do not explode, bought from licensed sellers, while explosive firecrackers remain banned. The decree was amended by Decree 58/2026/ND-CP, issued on 13 February 2026, mainly so that Ministry of Public Security enterprises can also make and trade fireworks, as reported by Luat su Viet Nam. Checked: 6 Nov 2026.
What the fireworks law allows
| Who | What is allowed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals with full legal capacity | Consumer fireworks (the kind that produce light, colour and sound effects without an explosion) on occasions including Tet, holidays and weddings, bought only from organisations licensed to make or sell them | Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, Article 17 (English text); explained by Ha Tinh provincial government |
| Anyone | Explosive fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited; making, trading, storing or using them can lead to penalties or criminal liability | Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, Article 5; Ha Tinh provincial government |
| Cities and provinces | Official Lunar New Year displays for no longer than 15 minutes; high and low range displays in centrally run cities and the former Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City), low range elsewhere; each province's People's Committee decides | Decree 137/2020/ND-CP, Articles 11 and 12, as summarised by Vietnam Government News |
Two practical points for travellers. First, do not buy or carry fireworks from street sellers, and never try to bring fireworks in your luggage. Second, the official display locations are announced by each city in the weeks before Tet. In 2026, Hanoi used 33 locations and Ho Chi Minh City 17. When we checked on 6 November 2026, the 2027 locations had not yet been announced, so look for city announcements in January 2027.
Crowds gather from the evening onwards. In 2026, people were filling Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square beside Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi from around 9 pm, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City from about 7:30 pm. If you are travelling with small children or older parents, a hotel room or rooftop with a view is far more comfortable than standing in the crowd.
Where are the best places to see Tet celebrations?
The best places to see Tet in Vietnam are Hanoi for traditional flower markets and Old Quarter atmosphere, Ho Chi Minh City for the large Nguyen Hue Flower Street, Hue for royal Tet ceremonies at the Imperial City, and Hoi An for lanterns and a calmer old town. Da Nang is a good base if you want beaches and city fireworks together.
City guide to Tet celebrations
| City | Tet highlight | Best timing for 2027 | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Hang Luoc flower market in the Old Quarter; decorated streets; fireworks around Hoan Kiem Lake | 30 January to 5 February for markets; 5 February night for fireworks | Tradition, photography, cooler weather |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Nguyen Hue Flower Street; midnight fireworks | The days around New Year (the 2026 edition ran from two days before Tet to five days after) | Big city spectacle, warm weather |
| Hue | Royal Tet rituals at the Imperial City, including raising the Neu pole | The 2026 Neu pole was raised on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which would be 30 January in 2027 if the same custom is followed | History lovers |
| Hoi An | Lantern lit old town; first lantern night of the new year | Lantern night on 19 February 2027 | Couples, slower travel |
| Da Nang | City fireworks and a busy beach town at Tet | New Year's Eve and the days after | Families, beach plus city |
Hanoi: flower markets and the Old Quarter
Hanoi is the most traditional place to experience Tet. The Hang Luoc flower market, described by Nhan Dan as the oldest flower market in Hanoi with more than a century of history, opens once a year in the last week of the lunar year, from the 23rd to the end of the twelfth month. Sellers line Hang Luoc street with peach branches, kumquat trees and potted white apricot. In 2027 that window starts on Saturday 30 January.
Walk the Old Quarter in the evenings before Tet to see shops selling red decorations, calligraphy and gifts, then join the crowd near Hoan Kiem Lake for the midnight fireworks on 5 February. For more ideas once the city reopens, see our list of things to do in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City: Nguyen Hue Flower Street
Ho Chi Minh City's flower street on Nguyen Hue is one of the largest Tet displays in Vietnam. The 2026 event was its 23rd edition and, according to Tuoi Tre News, ran for eight days, from 7 pm on 15 February to 9 pm on 22 February 2026, with main installations staying up until March. The 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked, but the pattern suggests it will open a day or two before 6 February 2027.
Saigon is warmer than the north at Tet and empties noticeably as many residents return to their home provinces, which makes the centre pleasant to walk. Our guide to things to do in Ho Chi Minh City covers markets, museums and food for the days after Tet.
Hue: royal Tet at the Imperial City
Hue, the former imperial capital, recreates court traditions at Tet. On 10 February 2026 (the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month), the Hue Monuments Conservation Center staged the raising of the Neu pole at the Imperial City, a ritual to send off misfortune and welcome the new year, and locals and visitors watched it, as Hue Ngay Nay reported. The pole traditionally stays up until the seventh day of the first lunar month. Hue also recorded about 238,200 international arrivals during Tet 2026, so it is popular at this time of year.
Hoi An: lanterns and a gentler Tet
Hoi An's old town is decorated with silk lanterns all year, and at Tet it adds New Year decorations and festive crowds. The monthly lantern night falls on the 14th day of each lunar month, so the first one of the Year of the Goat is on Friday 19 February 2027. Our Hoi An lantern festival guide explains timings and tips for that night. Central Vietnam is drying out by February, which makes Hoi An a comfortable place to spend Tet at a slower pace.
Da Nang: beaches and fireworks
Da Nang received about 510,000 international visitors during Tet 2026, more than any other city in the government's report, and about 1.1 million visitors in total. In 2026, crowds gathered at 24/3 Square for the countdown. It works well for families who want a beach hotel with its own restaurants, plus easy trips to Hoi An once the first days of Tet have passed.
How should travellers from Nepal plan a Tet trip?
Travellers from Nepal should plan a Tet trip around three things: there are no non stop flights from Kathmandu to Vietnam, connecting hubs are also busy at Lunar New Year, and Tet 2027 sits close to Sonam Lhosar in Nepal. Booking early is even more important for a Nepali traveller than for someone flying in direct.
Getting there from Kathmandu
When we last checked, there were no non stop flights between Kathmandu and Vietnam, so every routing involves at least one connection. Typical connections are via Bangkok, Delhi or Kunming. When we researched routes for our Vietnam cost guide in September 2026, the fastest connections took roughly 8 to 10 hours including the stop, and many took longer. Check current schedules before you plan, because routes change.
Remember that 6 February 2027 is also Lunar New Year in China, Singapore, Malaysia and other places with large Chinese communities. Connecting through Kunming, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur at that time means sharing airports with holiday crowds, so allow generous connection times.
Nepali festivals and holidays near Tet 2027
| Date | Nepal | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 30 January 2027 | Martyrs' Day, 16 Magh (public holiday) | Ong Cong Ong Tao; Hang Luoc flower market season begins |
| Thursday 4 February 2027 | No public holiday listed | Official Tet holiday begins |
| Saturday 6 February 2027 | Saturday, the weekly day off | Tet, first day of the Year of the Goat |
| Sunday 7 February 2027 | Sonam Lhosar, 24 Magh (public holiday) | Second day of Tet |
| Wednesday 10 February 2027 | No public holiday listed | Official Tet holiday ends |
| Friday 19 February 2027 | National Democracy Day, 7 Falgun (public holiday) | Hoi An lantern night |
The Nepal dates come from the Government of Nepal's public holiday list for 2083 BS, published in the Nepal Gazette on 18 Falgun 2082 and posted on the Ministry of Home Affairs website (Checked: 6 Nov 2026). The same list puts Gyalpo Lhosar on 25 Falgun, which is Tuesday 9 March 2027, about a month after Tet. Families who celebrate Sonam Lhosar will usually want to be home on 7 February, so a Tet trip may suit them better a little later in February. Holiday lists can be revised, so check again closer to your dates.
Tips for Nepali travellers and the diaspora
- Visa: Nepali passport holders need a visa for Vietnam. Rules change, so check the Vietnam visa page linked above and apply well before Tet, when Vietnam's public offices close for the holiday.
- Money: Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Carry some cash in US dollars or dong as well as a card, and withdraw what you need before the holiday begins on 4 February 2027.
- Families: Nepali children will recognise the mood: Tet's family reunions and blessings from elders feel a lot like Dashain, and the lights and fireworks are a reminder of Tihar.
- Diaspora travellers: if you are a Nepali living in South Korea or Malaysia, where Lunar New Year is also a public holiday, flights out of your city will be busy around the same dates, so book early from there too.
- Weather: pack a warm layer for Hanoi and Sapa, but summer clothes for Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc.
If you would rather have hotels, transfers and guided days arranged around the Tet calendar, our Vietnam tour packages page shows how trips are put together; whichever way you travel, pick dates that avoid the busiest travel days.
Frequently asked questions
When is Tet in 2027?
Tet in 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, the first day of the Year of the Goat. New Year's Eve (Giao thua) is the night of Friday 5 February. The official Tet holiday for Vietnam's state employees runs from Thursday 4 February to Wednesday 10 February 2027, under a Ministry of Home Affairs notice issued in October 2026.
What is Tet in Vietnam?
Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important festival in Vietnam. It marks the start of spring on the first day of the lunar calendar. Families return home, clean their houses, honour ancestors at home altars, share special food such as banh chung, and give lucky money to children.
Is Vietnam closed during Tet?
Vietnam is not closed during Tet, but it slows down. Government offices close for the official holiday and many small shops, markets and street food stalls close for the first three days. Large hotels, airports, major sights, pagodas and many chain businesses stay open, and normal life returns gradually from the fourth or fifth day of Tet.
Is it a good time to visit Vietnam at Tet?
Visiting Vietnam at Tet is rewarding if you enjoy festivals and plan ahead. The week before Tet is colourful, with flower markets and decorated streets, and the weather is pleasant in the centre and south. The downsides are sold out transport, higher hotel demand and closed local eateries for a few days, so travellers wanting a quiet, cheaper trip should go later.
Do trains sell out during Tet?
Popular trains in Vietnam often sell out around Tet, especially sleeper berths on the days just before New Year. Tet 2027 tickets went on sale on 5 September 2026, covering travel from 23 January to 25 February 2027, and for Tet 2026 more than 22,000 tickets sold in just over four hours on the first day of sales. Book as early as possible and avoid travelling in the days just before and after New Year.
What do people do during Tet?
During Tet, Vietnamese people send off the Kitchen Gods a week before New Year, clean and decorate their homes, and share a year end meal. At midnight they make offerings and watch fireworks. In the first three days they visit family, friends and teachers, give lucky money to children, go to pagodas to pray for a good year, and wish everyone health and prosperity.
Are restaurants open during Tet?
Some restaurants in Vietnam stay open during Tet, but many family run eateries and street food stalls close, especially on the first day. Hotel restaurants, international chains and places in central tourist areas are the most likely to be open. Most local restaurants reopen during the first week, usually from the fourth or fifth day of Tet.
Are there fireworks for Tet?
Yes, Vietnam's big cities hold official fireworks at midnight on Tet New Year's Eve. Displays are capped at 15 minutes under Decree 137/2020/ND-CP and locations are announced by each city beforehand; in 2026 Hanoi used 33 locations. Individuals may only use non explosive consumer fireworks from licensed sellers, and explosive firecrackers are banned.
How long is the Tet holiday?
The official Tet holiday in Vietnam for 2027 is seven days, from 4 to 10 February 2027, for civil servants and public employees. Private employers choose one of three five day patterns and are encouraged to match it. In 2026 the official break was nine days. Many people take longer, so travel demand spreads over several weeks.
Tet kahile huncha, and does it clash with Lhosar?
Tet in Vietnam falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, which is 23 Magh 2083 BS, one day before Sonam Lhosar (24 Magh) in Nepal. Vietnam's official holiday runs from 4 to 10 February 2027. Flights from Kathmandu connect via other hubs, so book early, as Lunar New Year is busy across Asia.
What is Ong Cong Ong Tao and when is it in 2027?
Ong Cong Ong Tao is the Vietnamese send off for the household and Kitchen Gods, held on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, a week before Tet. In 2027 it falls on Saturday 30 January. Families make offerings, and many release live carp into lakes and rivers, because the gods are said to ride a carp to heaven.
Can foreign visitors give li xi at Tet?
Yes, foreign visitors in Vietnam can give li xi, the lucky money in red envelopes, and it is appreciated. If you are invited to a Vietnamese home at Tet, a few red envelopes with small, new banknotes for the children is a thoughtful gesture. Hand them over with both hands and add "Chuc mung nam moi".
