Tet Nguyen Dan, usually shortened to Tet, is Vietnam's Lunar New Year and by far the country's biggest holiday, roughly comparable in cultural weight to Christmas and New Year combined in Western countries. It falls on a different date each year (based on the lunar calendar, generally landing sometime between late January and late February) and reshapes the city for around a week.
What actually happens
Many family-run businesses, small restaurants and street food stalls close for several days as owners travel to their hometowns or simply take the holiday off, which can catch first-time visitors off guard if they haven't planned around it. Larger hotels, malls and restaurants aimed at tourists generally stay open, though sometimes with reduced hours or a modified holiday menu.
Travel and hotel booking
Domestic flights and trains get very busy in the days immediately before and after Tet, as much of the country travels to be with family, so book any onward domestic travel well ahead if your trip overlaps with this period. Hotel prices in Ho Chi Minh City itself are a more mixed picture — sometimes busier with international visitors specifically timing a trip around Tet, sometimes quieter as usual business travel drops off.
What you'll see
In the lead-up to Tet, flower markets (particularly for kumquat trees and peach or apricot blossom branches, traditional decorations) pop up around the city, and streets are decorated with lanterns and lights. It's one of the most visually striking times to visit, if you plan around the practical disruption.
| Timing | Late January to late February, date varies yearly (lunar calendar) |
|---|---|
| Expect | Many small businesses closed for several days |
| Book ahead | Any domestic flights/trains overlapping the holiday |