🎆 Travelling in Vietnam During Tet Holiday (2026 Guide)

Leanne Gayle
Oct 23
3 min read

Thinking of visiting Vietnam in early 2026? You might be landing right in the middle of Tet – the Lunar New Year, the most important celebration of the year.

It’s a magical (and slightly chaotic) time to experience local culture – streets lined with red lanterns, families reuniting, temples packed with offerings, and fireworks bursting over lakes and rivers.

But it also means busy travel days, closed shops, and sold-out tickets if you don’t plan ahead.

At Few Days Halong, we’ve helped hundreds of travellers glide through the Tet rush smoothly. Here’s your essential guide to doing the same 👇

Planning a Vietnam trip in early 2026? You might just land in time for Tet – the Lunar New Year, the biggest and most colourful celebration of the year.

It’s a week when the whole country transforms – red lanterns swinging over every street, families reuniting from all corners of the world, and fireworks exploding across lakes and rivers.

It’s stunning. But it’s also busy. Tickets vanish, shops shut, and prices climb fast if you don’t plan ahead.

At Few Days Ha Long, we’ve guided hundreds of travellers smoothly through Tet chaos – here’s exactly how to enjoy it like a local 👇

🧧 What Is Tet Holiday?

Tet (short for Tết Nguyên Đán) marks the Lunar New Year – a blend of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and a giant family reunion.

2026 Tet Dates: 16 – 23 February (public holiday period)
Peak travel window: 12 – 25 February (as locals travel home before and after)

During this time, cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City go quiet while smaller towns burst with celebration.

🚗 How Travel Is Affected

Category	What Happens	Few Days Tip
Transport	Flights and trains sell out; fares rise 30–50%.	Book 3 weeks ahead for north-south routes.
Shops & Restaurants	Many close 3–5 days.	Stay near Old Quarter (Hanoi), Hoi An Ancient Town, or District 1 (Saigon) – they stay open.
Tours	Some operators pause for first 2–3 days.	We still run Ha Long, Ninh Binh, and Sapa trips with on-call local teams.
Banks & Services	Closed up to a week.	Withdraw cash early and carry small notes for temples and taxis.

🏮 Where to Go During Tet

🌸 Hanoi

Temples glow with incense, the Old Quarter buzzes with lanterns and peach blossoms. Fireworks over Hoàn Kiếm Lake on New Year’s Eve are spectacular.

👉 Check some Hanoi tours

🌅 Ha Long Bay

Cruises sail through calm, misty scenery – fewer crowds, dramatic photos.

👉 Get cruise prices here: Ha Long Bay Cruises 2026

🎐 Hoi An

The Lantern Festival overlaps with Tet; expect magical evenings and open shops by Day 3.

🧭 Hue

Flower markets and cultural shows around the citadel make Hue a brilliant base for photographers.

🌴 Ho Chi Minh City

Lively before Tet with dragon dances and fireworks, quiet for a few days after. Perfect for Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels day trips once festivities settle.

Start planning your itinerary now 👉 Custom Itinerary

✈️ Travel Tips for a Smooth Tet Trip

✅ Book transport and hotels early

✅ Carry cash – ATMs run dry

✅ Avoid tight connections – delays are common

✅ Say yes to offers of bánh chưng (sticky rice cake) and rice wine 😉

✅ Expect warm hellos and lots of selfie requests!

🎆 What’s Open (And What’s Not)

Day	Date	What’s Open	What’s Closed
New Year’s Eve	15 Feb	Fireworks, markets	Some restaurants
Tet Day 1–2	16–17 Feb	Temples, street food	Banks, offices, some tours
Tet Day 3–5	18–20 Feb	Tourist spots reopen	A few shops
After Day 5	From 21 Feb	Everything normal	—

📷 Few Days Insider Tip

Around Tet, Ha Long and Ninh Binh locals decorate boats and homes with red banners and kumquat trees for luck.If someone hands you tea or sticky cake – take it. It’s good manners and good fortune.