Should You Travel Vietnam During Tet?

Traveling to Vietnam during Tet invites a different kind of question. Not one of schedules or checklists, but of rhythm and intention. Some travelers remember it as a quietly beautiful time, rich in atmosphere and meaning. Others arrive unsure of what will remain open, what will pause, and how the country will feel during its most important celebration.

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is not shaped for spectacle. It is a moment when the country turns inward. Families gather. Familiar routines soften. Streets breathe a little more slowly. For visitors, this shift can feel unfamiliar at first, yet it offers a rare opportunity to observe Vietnam in a state of reflection, warmth, and renewal.

This guide is written from a local perspective, with an understanding of how Tet truly unfolds beyond headlines and assumptions. Here, you will discover what changes during the holiday, what remains quietly consistent, and how different travel styles align with this season. With thoughtful preparation and the right expectations, Tet reveals itself not as an obstacle, but as an invitation to experience Vietnam with greater depth and awareness.

What Is Tet in Vietnam?

Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan, marks Vietnam’s Lunar New Year and holds a significance far beyond a public holiday. For Vietnamese people, Tet is a moment of return and renewal. It is when family bonds are reaffirmed, the past is acknowledged with gratitude, and the year ahead is welcomed with quiet optimism. If there is a single time when the emotional heart of Vietnam becomes most visible, it is Tet.

As the holiday approaches, subtle changes begin to unfold. Flower markets appear along sidewalks. Homes are carefully refreshed. Familiar dishes are prepared with patience and intention, often following recipes passed down through generations. There is a sense of anticipation in the air, felt equally in the energy of the cities and the stillness of the countryside. For visitors, this period offers a glimpse into a living tradition shaped by memory, ritual, and care.

What Tet holiday means to Vietnamese people

At its core, Tet is about coming home. Across the country, people travel back to their hometowns to be with parents, grandparents, and extended family. It is a time to honour ancestors, to express respect, and to begin the new year with wishes for health, harmony, and prosperity.

Daily routines soften. Work gives way to visits, shared meals, and moments of reflection. Families gather at temples, incense drifts through courtyards, and quiet conversations replace the usual pace of daily life. For travelers, Tet is not something to observe from a distance. It is an intimate moment in which the country turns inward, offering a rare view into its values and emotional rhythms.

When Tet takes place and how long it lasts

Tet follows the lunar calendar, with dates that shift each year, usually falling between late January and mid February. While the official public holiday spans several days, the spirit of Tet extends well beyond that window.

The days leading up to Tet are lively and full of preparation. Travel increases, markets are busy, and anticipation builds. Once Tet begins, the atmosphere changes. Cities grow quieter, particularly during the first days, as families remain close to home. Gradually, life resumes its familiar rhythm, carrying with it the lingering sense of a new beginning. Understanding this natural flow helps travelers move through Tet with ease.

Why Tet is not a typical tourist festival

Tet is not designed for display. It is not marked by constant public events or performances. Instead, celebrations unfold within homes, among families, and in moments of shared tradition. Some local businesses pause, and social life shifts away from public spaces.

Yet it is precisely this inward focus that gives Tet its depth. Decorations are placed with intention rather than spectacle. Rituals are practiced for meaning, not attention. For travelers who appreciate authenticity and are comfortable with a gentler pace, Tet reveals a side of Vietnam that is both understated and profoundly moving, offering insight that few other moments of the year can provide.

The Short Answer: Is Tet a Good Time to Travel to Vietnam?

Yes. Tet can be a remarkably rewarding time to travel to Vietnam, particularly for those drawn to culture, atmosphere, and moments that feel quietly meaningful.

During Tet, the country reveals a different side of itself. Daily routines soften. Public spaces feel lighter. Attention shifts away from movement and toward presence. Rather than pursuing a list of attractions, travelers are invited to observe, to listen, and to experience Vietnam as it enters a season of renewal.

The cities remain welcoming, though they feel gentler. Streets are adorned with seasonal flowers and subtle decorations, and there is a shared sense of optimism that lingers in the air. While some local businesses pause briefly, established hotels, resorts, and essential services continue to operate with care and consistency, allowing international visitors to move through the holiday with ease.

Tet suits travelers who appreciate atmosphere over pace. Moments unfold naturally, whether wandering past a flower market in the early morning or hearing temple bells carry softly through the city. With thoughtful planning and an openness to a slower rhythm, Tet becomes less about adjustment and more about discovery.

What Really Changes in Vietnam During Tet Holiday

A softer rhythm across the country

During Tet, Vietnam moves with a noticeably gentler rhythm. In cities known for their energy, mornings feel quieter and streets less hurried, particularly in the first days of the holiday. Many people remain at home, choosing presence over routine, allowing the pace of daily life to ease naturally.

For visitors, this shift brings a different quality to familiar places. Landmarks feel less crowded. Neighbourhoods reveal a more intimate character. The change is not about absence or closure, but about intention. Tet invites a pause, creating space for reflection as the year turns anew.

Celebrations that unfold at home

Tet is marked less by public display and more by private gatherings. Families come together around shared meals, visits, and long held traditions. As social life turns inward, some small local shops and eateries close temporarily, particularly those run by families observing the holiday.

At the same time, the cultural details become more visible. Homes are adorned with seasonal flowers. Incense drifts gently through temples and courtyards. These quiet rituals offer travelers a closer look at the values that shape Vietnamese life.

A shift in movement, not in access

In the days leading up to Tet, travel across the country becomes busier as people return to their hometowns. Airports and stations fill with anticipation. Once Tet begins, the atmosphere changes. Cities feel lighter, and popular areas grow calmer.

While schedules may adjust and prices rise modestly during peak days, Vietnam remains accessible to those who plan ahead. For travelers staying at well established hotels or resorts, services continue with care and consistency, often enhanced by thoughtful seasonal touches. Movement slows, but the country remains open, offering a more considered way to experience its landscapes and cities.

Pros and Cons of Traveling Vietnam During Tet

Travelers often describe Tet as a journey shaped less by destinations and more by mindset. Those who arrive with clear expectations tend to remember the experience as quietly rewarding. Those who do not may find the rhythm unfamiliar. The distinction lies not in Tet itself, but in how one chooses to experience it.

The rewards of traveling during Tet

Tet offers a perspective on Vietnam that feels rare and unfiltered. Rather than curated experiences, visitors encounter moments shaped by tradition and everyday life.

• Streets are adorned with seasonal flowers and symbolic decorations, placed with intention rather than spectacle
• Temples feel serene and contemplative, inviting unhurried visits
• Daily life unfolds privately, allowing travelers to observe how families truly celebrate

As the holiday begins, cities grow lighter and less congested. Movement slows, creating space to explore at a gentler pace.

• Fewer vehicles on the roads
• Landmarks feel more open and unhurried
• Walking becomes a pleasure rather than a necessity

For many travelers, comfort is defined by where they stay. International hotels and established resorts continue to operate with consistency during Tet, offering attentive service and thoughtful seasonal touches. In these settings, Tet feels calm and well supported rather than restrictive.

The considerations to keep in mind

Tet also asks travelers to adjust familiar expectations. Social life turns inward, and some conveniences temporarily soften.

• Small, family run restaurants and shops may close for several days
• Nightlife and street food scenes become quieter
• Spontaneous dining and shopping require more planning

In the days leading up to Tet, travel demand increases noticeably.

• Flights and intercity transport fill quickly
• Prices for accommodation and travel may rise during peak days
• Last minute arrangements can feel limited

The holiday also reshapes how time is spent. Tet is less suited to tightly packed itineraries.

• Some tours pause during the first days
• Attractions may operate on reduced hours
• The experience leans toward atmosphere rather than activity

A traveler’s perspective

From shared traveler reflections, Tet is not a time that rewards urgency. It favours awareness, preparation, and a willingness to move at a different pace. Those drawn to culture, calm surroundings, and meaningful observation often find Tet deeply memorable. Those seeking constant motion or late night energy may prefer another season.

Understanding this balance is what transforms Tet from a potential challenge into a considered and rewarding journey.

City by City: What to Expect During Tet in Vietnam

Tet reshapes each destination in its own way. While some places grow noticeably quieter, others retain a sense of ease and continuity that suits international travelers. The cities below are often recommended for a Tet journey, not for what they offer in activity, but for how they feel during this reflective season.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon remains one of the most approachable cities during Tet, particularly for first-time visitors. Rather than falling silent, the city adopts a lighter, more composed mood. Boulevards are adorned with seasonal flowers, and public spaces feel less hurried, allowing the city’s character to emerge at a gentler pace.

International dining, cafés, and shopping malls continue to welcome guests, while transportation and essential services operate with reassuring consistency. Streets become easier to navigate on foot, inviting unplanned walks and quiet observation.

For those choosing Saigon as their Tet base, the experience is shaped significantly by where one stays. Hôtel des Arts Saigon, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel in the heart of District 3, offers a refined retreat during the holiday. Its elegant interiors, inspired by French colonial heritage, provide a calm counterpoint to the city beyond. With attentive service and a discreet sense of occasion, the hotel allows guests to experience Tet from a place of comfort, privacy, and quiet indulgence, where the rhythm of the season can be appreciated without compromise.

Hanoi

In Hanoi, Tet unfolds with a distinctly traditional character. The Old Quarter grows quieter, and the city’s cultural spaces feel more intimate.

Flower markets and temples take on a serene presence, while many local businesses pause for the holiday. Hanoi during Tet feels less like a destination to move through and more like a place to observe. It appeals most to travelers drawn to culture, photography, and the poetry of everyday life, rather than nightlife or constant motion.

Hoi An

Hoi An is often described as especially atmospheric during Tet. Lanterns glow softly against historic facades, and the town’s compact layout encourages slow exploration.

While some days are quieter, many visitor-focused cafés and restaurants reopen shortly after Tet begins. Hotels frequently introduce small seasonal gestures, adding warmth to the stay. Hoi An suits travelers who value visual beauty, unhurried walks, and a sense of timelessness.

Phu Quoc

For those seeking ease and relaxation, Phu Quoc remains a reassuring choice during Tet. Beach resorts operate smoothly throughout the holiday, with dining and entertainment largely contained within the resort environment.

Crowds are lighter than during peak international seasons, and the island’s rhythm remains calm and restorative. Families and couples often favour Phu Quoc for its simplicity and consistency during a time when the mainland moves more slowly.

Da Nang

Da Nang offers a balanced experience between urban comfort and coastal calm. The city is modern, well organised, and easy to navigate, even during Tet.

Beach areas remain active, and major attractions resume quickly after the holiday. With its reliable infrastructure and measured pace, Da Nang feels practical yet relaxed, appealing to travelers who seek comfort without the intensity of larger cities.

Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Vietnam During Tet

Plan ahead, earlier than usual

• Domestic travel demand during Tet typically rises 30–40% compared to regular weeks
• Flights and trains on key routes often sell out 2–4 weeks in advance
• Hotel rates in major cities and beach destinations may increase 20–50% during peak Tet days
• Early planning offers not only better availability, but a calmer start to the journey

Choose hotels that offer continuity and care

• Many small, family run properties operate with reduced staff during Tet
• International and five-star hotels maintain full service standards throughout the holiday
• Seasoned travelers often note that a reliable hotel provides reassurance when daily routines soften
• A well established hotel becomes a quiet anchor for dining, assistance, and local guidance

Think ahead when it comes to dining

• Around 60–70% of local eateries may close for one to three days during Tet
• Hotel restaurants, international dining venues, and shopping mall food courts remain open
• Travelers who plan key meals in advance tend to experience the holiday with far greater ease

Expect fewer activities, and allow the atmosphere to lead

• Many local tours pause during the first two days of Tet
• Museums and attractions may operate on adjusted holiday hours
• Traffic eases noticeably in major cities
• Tet lends itself to walking, quiet observation, and unhurried moments rather than full schedules

Time your arrival with intention

• The days before Tet bring colour, markets, and a sense of anticipation
• The first one to two days of Tet are the quietest, with limited services
• After Tet, daily life resumes while the festive atmosphere lingers
• Many travelers find the post-Tet period offers the most balanced experience

Observe with respect, and let the season unfold

• Tet is a family centred celebration, not a public performance
• Dressing neatly at temples and cultural spaces is appreciated
• Quiet observation often feels more meaningful than interaction
• Travelers who embrace the gentler rhythm consistently report a more rewarding experience

Who Should Travel to Vietnam During Tet and Who Should Not

Tet speaks most clearly to travelers who are drawn to atmosphere rather than urgency. Those who find pleasure in quiet streets, unhurried walks, and moments of observation often discover a deeper connection to Vietnam during this season. It is particularly well suited to travelers who appreciate cultural nuance, couples seeking a more contemplative escape, and guests who choose accommodations where comfort and care remain constant throughout the holiday.

For travelers accustomed to full schedules, spontaneous dining, and late night activity, Tet may feel unfamiliar at first. The rhythm shifts, and some conveniences soften. Yet even for these visitors, Tet can still offer a rewarding experience when approached with intention. Choosing the right destination, allowing space for rest, and leaning into comfort rather than activity can transform the holiday into something quietly restorative.

Ultimately, Tet is less about fitting more into a journey and more about experiencing Vietnam with presence. For those open to a different pace, it can become one of the most memorable moments to discover the country.