What is Tet?
Tết Nguyên Đán is Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the country's main family holiday. In the run-up, homes are cleaned and decorated, flowers and gifts are bought, special food is prepared, and many people travel back to their home towns and villages. The holiday itself centres on family, ancestors, visiting relatives, and wishes for good fortune in the new year.
In 2027, Tet’s first day falls on 6 February. The official holiday period for public employees runs from 2 to 10 February. Private employers set their own schedules, so check your company’s notice.
Why travellers should care about more than the official dates
The travel effect starts before the formal holiday: millions of people move around the country, so trains, buses, and flights fill up early. Small family cafés and shops may close earlier and reopen later than the statutory holiday period. Large hotels, convenience stores, and parts of the tourist economy often continue operating.
What to book early
- Intercity trains and buses.
- Domestic flights.
- Accommodation in popular destinations.
- Airport or station transfers if arrival falls on core holiday dates.
- A restaurant if a specific venue is important to you on the first day of Tet.
What to see
Before Tet, flower markets, decorations, holiday shopping, and public spaces in major cities are particularly interesting. During the holiday itself, the atmosphere becomes more family-focused. Do not expect the entire country to turn into a tourist festival; for Vietnamese families, this is first and foremost time at home and with relatives.
Etiquette
- Do not treat private family traditions as a tourist attraction without an invitation.
- If you are invited to someone's home, a small gift is appropriate.
- Red, flowers, and wishes of good fortune are important parts of the holiday's visual language.
- Expect some holiday surcharges and a smaller choice of open businesses.
Questions and answers
When is Tet in Vietnam?
The date changes every year according to the lunar calendar. The first day of Tet in 2027 falls on 6 February.
How many official holiday days are there for Tet?
The Labour Code provides five paid days for Lunar New Year. In 2027, the public employee holiday period runs from 2 to 10 February. Private employers announce their own schedules.
Does everything close during Tet?
No. Family businesses, banks, and some institutions may close for several days, while schedules vary significantly.
Is Tet a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes if you want the holiday atmosphere and are prepared to book transport early and work around changed opening hours.