The Tết holiday (Lunar New Year) will be from February 08th until 14th 2024, while the main days are 10th, 11th, and 12th. Different from what people think, the biggest cities like Hanoi, Danang, and Saigon are less crowded than normal. Most people come back to their hometowns to unite with their families during this time. During Mùng 1 and Mùng 2 Tết (the first and second day of the Lunar New Year), these cities become quite. Many shops, boutiques, and restaurants are closed.
Traveling in Vietnam during this period can be a wonderful experience.
Pre-Tet is busy, you may discover how the locals prepare the Tet. The Tet flower market typifies traditional Tet in Vietnam, visiting one is a must if you want to feel the spring atmosphere. People come to the market to buy flowers like peach blossoms and find some peace of mind before another busy year gets underway. If traveling in the countryside, you may have a chance to learn how to make a banh chung (Vietnamese square glutinous rice cake) or enjoy the end party at a local house.
During Tet, you have a good chance to enjoy the beauty of the cities and the tourist sites because they are much less crowded, with no traffic jams at all. Some foreigners say that Hanoi becomes so much more beautiful when people leave for the countryside. However, the atmosphere in the countryside is different. If you have a chance to visit a local family during the Tet, you may see a lot of people, not only the family themselves but also their relatives and their neighbors. Tet is a great occasion for them to visit each other and enjoy a party together.
On this occasion, you can participate in various traditional Tet celebrations, such as visiting temples and pagodas, giving lucky money (li xi) to children, and enjoying traditional Tet foods like banh chung (sticky rice cake) and banh tet. You also see the local people with their traditional costumes like áo dài (long dress) or another beautiful dress code.
However, there are also some challenges to consider:
- Crowds and High Prices: Tet is a peak travel period in Vietnam, and many people travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family. As a result, transportation and accommodation can be more expensive. The food is also more expensive than normal because the owner has to pay more for their staff during holiday time.
- Limited Services: Some restaurants, shops, and services may close or have limited operating hours during Tet. This can make it more challenging to find dining options or access certain amenities. Transportation Issues: Public transportation can be heavily booked, and traffic can be congested at the start and the end of the holiday, especially in major cities. It’s crucial to book your transportation and accommodations well in advance to secure your travel plans.
- “Xông đất” (step into the house): The Vietnamese believe that the first person who enters a house at the beginning of a lunar year will have a bearing on the family’s fortune throughout that year. So friendly and rich people are usually invited to get into a home on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
- “Chúc Tết” is not only saying “Happy New Year”, but also saying the good things to everyone that we meet during the Tet such a good health, success, or earning a lot of money… When the Lunar New Year arrives, people forget sorrows, and hatred, spare good words to one another. Besides, we shouldn’t say or do the bad thing.
Overall, traveling in Vietnam during Tet can be an enriching experience if you are prepared for the unique cultural aspects and potential inconveniences associated with the holiday. If you enjoy immersing yourself in local traditions, it can be a rewarding time to visit. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a hassle-free and more predictable travel experience where everything runs smoothly, it might be best to plan your trip to Vietnam for a different time of the year, avoiding the Tet holiday period.