Celebrate New Beginnings in Vietnam This Tet Festival
BB Destinations, BB Travel Tips
Celebrate New Beginnings in Vietnam This Tet Festival
As winter gives way to spring, Vietnam bursts into colour, celebration, and heartfelt tradition. Tet Nguyen Dan — commonly known as Tet — is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important festival of the year. Streets glow in red and gold, homes are filled with the scent of incense and fresh blossoms, and families gather to welcome prosperity, happiness, and renewal.
For travellers, Tet offers a rare chance to experience Vietnam at its most vibrant and meaningful. From flower markets to festive feasts, here’s how to make the most of this unforgettable season.
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Things to do
#1 Wander through Hanoi’s Old Quarter
During Tet, Hanoi’s Old Quarter transforms into a lively mosaic of colour and culture. Red banners bearing calligraphy wishes hang above shopfronts, kumquat trees line the sidewalks, and peach blossoms — symbols of northern Vietnam’s spring — bloom in abundance.
In the days leading up to Tet, the streets buzz with shoppers preparing for the new year. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake in the evening, where locals gather for performances, fireworks, and community celebrations that light up the capital in festive cheer.
#2 Visit a Tet flower market
Flowers play a central role in Tet traditions, symbolising growth and good fortune. In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Flower Street becomes a pedestrian-only floral showcase, featuring elaborate displays, lantern installations, and themed decorations.
In Hanoi, the Quang Ba Flower Market offers a more local experience. Arrive before dawn to witness vendors unloading fresh blooms — from orchids to marigolds — as the city awakens in anticipation of the new year.
#3 Experience temple rituals and traditions
Tet is a deeply spiritual time. Families visit pagodas and temples to pray for prosperity, health, and harmony. Popular sites such as the Temple of Literature in Hanoi or Jade Emperor Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City are especially atmospheric during this period, with incense smoke curling through the air and offerings carefully laid at ornate altars.
Travellers are welcome to observe — just remember to dress modestly and be respectful of local customs.
What to eat
#1 Banh Chung & Banh Tet
No Tet celebration is complete without banh chung (in the north) or banh tet (in the south). These sticky rice cakes, filled with mung beans and pork, are wrapped in banana leaves and symbolise gratitude to ancestors and the earth.
Many restaurants offer seasonal Tet menus, giving visitors a chance to sample these festive staples without needing an invitation to a family home.
#2 Mut Tet & traditional sweets
During Tet, homes are stocked with mut tet — colourful candied fruits, seeds, and nuts served to guests alongside tea. From candied coconut strips to sugared lotus seeds, these sweet treats represent hospitality and abundance for the year ahead.
Places to visit
#1 Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets feel even more magical during Tet. Traditional houses are adorned with blossoms, silk lanterns glow warmly at dusk, and the riverside reflects the festive lights in shimmering hues.
The slower pace of this charming town makes it ideal for soaking in the spirit of renewal and reflection that defines the holiday.
#2 Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s southern metropolis celebrates Tet with equal enthusiasm. Nguyen Hue Walking Street becomes the epicentre of festivities, complete with flower displays, live performances, and countdown events. When night falls, fireworks illuminate the skyline, marking a joyful start to the lunar year.
Why Visit Vietnam During Tet?
Tet is more than a festival — it’s a heartfelt celebration of family, heritage, and hope for the future. While some businesses close during the first days of the new year, the cultural immersion and festive atmosphere more than make up for it.
If you’re seeking a meaningful way to begin the year, Vietnam during Tet offers colour, tradition, and warmth at every turn. It’s a celebration that welcomes not just a new year, but new beginnings.
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