Vietnamese New Year (Tet) 2026| Traditions, Dates & Travel Tips

Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet Festival, is the most important festival of the year in Vietnam. Its name, Tet, is an abbreviation for Tet Nguyen Dan, which is Vietnamese for the feast of the first morning of the first day of their calendar.

Rooted in ancient agricultural traditions, it marks the arrival of spring. Influenced by Chinese customs, Tet dates back over a thousand years, blending ancestor worship, festive feasts, and symbolic rituals for renewal and prosperity.

In 2026, Tet falls on February 17. It is the Year of the Horse. Snake is the seventh sign in the Vietnamese Zodiac.

When Is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year?

Also called Tet, Vietnamese New Year is celebrated on the same date as the Chinese New Year, following the lunar calendar. It typically falls between late January and mid-February on the Gregorian calendar. The exact date varies each year, as it is determined by the lunar cycle.

Here are the dates for the next coming Vietnamese New Year celebrations, as well as the Lunar Zodiac Animals associated with them.

• 2025: January 29 – Year of the Snake
• 2026: February 17 – Year of the Horse
• 2027: February 6 – Year of the Goat
• 2028: January 26 – Year of the Monkey
• 2029: February 13 – Year of the Rooster
• 2030: February 3 – Year of the Dog

More about the celebration schedule for Tet Vietnam >>>

How Do the Vietnamese Celebrate Tet?

Tet celebrations can last from 3 days and continue for up to one week. The festival is split into the days before New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

1. Pre-Tet Preparations (Tất Niên) – Getting Ready for the New Year

• Home Cleaning

Before Tet, families give their homes a deep clean—not just to tidy up, but to sweep away bad luck and make space for good fortune. Before Tet, their family shrines are well-cleaned and new offerings and decorations are placed there.

• Shopping for Good Luck

The streets are buzzing with activity as people rush to buy new clothes, traditional foods, and lucky decorations like peach blossoms and kumquat trees.

If you'd like to indulge in atmospheric festive shopping, visit Chợ Tết (Tet Markets) in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

• Decorate the House for Good luck

The Tet decoration always comes with a peach blossom tree or a kumquat tree—these are must-haves in northern Vietnam, while yellow Mai flowers are the go-to choice in the central and southern regions. Every bloom and fruit symbolizes prosperity and a fresh start! Vietnamese Chinese also put up Tet couplets (Câu Đối Tết) for luck and prosperity.

2. Tet Eve (Giao Thừa) – A Family Feast and Honoring Ancestors

• Honoring Ancestors

Families clean the ancestral altar, prepare offerings like Bánh Chưng, fruits, and wine, and light incense to invite their ancestors home for the New Year. It's a quiet, respectful moment to thank the past and ask for blessings in the year ahead.

• Family Reunion Dinner

On Tet Eve, families gather for a big meal to celebrate and say goodbye to the old year. The room is filled with laughter, love, and the hope of a fresh start.

3. New Year's Day (Mùng 1 Tết) – A Day of New Beginnings

• Red Envelopes (Lì Xì)

On New Year's Day, children eagerly receive red envelopes filled with money from older relatives. It's a wish for good luck and happiness in the year to come.

• Firecrackers and Lion Dances

The streets come alive with the sound of firecrackers and the sight of lion dances. People gather to watch these performances, which are believed to chase away evil spirits and invite good fortune.

• The First Visitor

Families invite someone they respect to be the first visitor of the year. This person is said to bring luck and prosperity for the entire year.

What is the Traditional Food for Tet Festival?

You can take part in the Tet festival by trying traditional Vietnamese food! Tet is a time of indulgence with an array of delicacies served in every family, from pork, chicken, and sticky rice to candied fruit. The following three delicious dishes are the most popular ones eaten by Vietnamese people during Tet as part of their celebration.

• Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét (Sticky Rice Cakes): Only eaten in Vietnam during Tet, Bánh Chưng is square, symbolizing the Earth, while Bánh Tét is cylindrical, representing the universe. Made with sticky rice, pork, and beans, they are traditionally offered on ancestor altars.
• Gio or Chag (Ham or Sausage): They are commonly served with sticky rice during Tet. You could find it two ways: Gio (boiled) or Cha (fried).
• Xôi Gấc (Red Sticky Rice): Xoi is a Vietnamese classic enjoyed during many festivals, often served as a staple in ancestor worship meals. The red color symbolizes good luck and happiness, wishing for a prosperous new year.
• Dưa Hành (Pickled Onions): This tangy side dish balances the richness of the main foods, symbolizing freshness and renewal.

• Thịt Kho Tàu (Braised Pork): The golden color symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Often cooked with eggs, which symbolize completeness.

Is It a Good Time to Travel to Vietnam During Tet?

Traveling to Vietnam during Tết offers an incredible cultural experience. Families can bond by making traditional rice cakes and enjoying the excitement of dragon dances and parades, immersing kids in the unique Tết atmosphere. Couples can explore vibrant festival markets or make wishes under the fireworks, cherishing their time together.

However, careful planning is essential as you could encounter challenges, such as the closure of attractions. Below, we highlight must-do activities, and practical solutions backed by real-life examples to help you navigate Tet.

Best Places to Celebrate Tet in Vietnam

1. Hanoi: Immerse Yourself in the Festive Atmosphere

At Hoan Kiem Lake, explore colorful flower markets and join the crowd for midnight fireworks on Tet Eve. You can also visit the Temple of Literature for a traditional prayer ceremony to experience local customs.

2. Ho Chi Minh City: Experience the Buzz of Urban Celebrations

Nguyen Hue Flower Street is filled with vibrant displays. For New Year's Eve, enjoy live performances, light shows, and fireworks at the Countdown Celebration.

3. Hoi An: A Glimpse into Vietnam's Traditional Lantern Festival

Walk through the lantern-lit streets of the Ancient Town, and catch traditional Tet performances showcasing local culture.

4. Sapa & Phu Quoc Island: For a Quiet, Relaxing Holiday

Away from the festive crowds, enjoy hiking through the stunning terraced rice fields and visit the ethnic minority markets for a unique cultural experience in Sapa. For a relaxing Tet, head to Phu Quoc Island, where you can simply lie on the beach and soak up the sun.

Challenges You Might Face During Tet (and How to Survive Them)

1. Closures: Many businesses shut down for 3-5 days.

Solution: Stay in the big travel hubs, such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi as international hotels and popular tourist areas usually operate.

2. Crowded Travel Hubs: Trains, buses, and flights sell out fast.

Solution: Book your tickets at least 1-2 months in advance and avoid traveling on Tet Eve and the last two days of the holiday.

3. Crowds at Popular Tourist Spots and Temples

Solution: Consider exploring natural attractions or remote islands like Sapa and Phu Quoc for a quieter experience. Visiting early in the morning is also a good way to avoid the crowds.

4. Price Surges: Hotels and transport costs may increase by 30%-50%.

Solution:

• Book at least 3 months in advance to lock in lower prices.
• Try not to bargain during this special period as it is considered to bring about bad luck for the whole year. If you absolutely have to, try to be especially polite.

Is the Vietnamese New Year the Same as the Chinese?

Vietnamese New Year (Tet) shares roots with the Chinese New Year, you could find them sharing the same traditions as below.

• Family reunion dinners on New Year's Eve are important in both traditions.
• Preparations include house cleaning, home decorations, and ancestor worship.
• Elders give red envelopes (Lì xì in Vietnam) to children for good luck.
• Wearing new clothes and avoiding unlucky words are common practices.

You can find their unique features in the table listed based on their own cultures.

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Asia Highlights Can Arrange a Tet Tour

We can help you arrange a Vietnam tour during Tet, as our knowledgeable guides will know exactly where is and isn't open, and can ensure you still visit everything you want to with a little bit of extra planning!

Because the weather in Vietnam is amazing during the time when Tet generally falls, Tet is a wonderful time to explore the best of Vietnam with our 9-Day tour! Send a free inquiry for a unique Vietnam expereince.