Tet, the most significant holiday in Vietnamese culture, is steeped in tradition. And while the holiday brings an atmosphere of vibrant festivities and cultural richness, it is a difficult time to travel through Vietnam even on an organised holiday.
Also known as the Lunar New Year, Tet marks the arrival of spring based on the lunar calendar. Officially, the holiday lasts for three days, but festivities extend up to a week or more, with unofficial celebrations starting even earlier as families prepare for the occasion.
It is a time when Vietnamese people honour their ancestors, reconnect with family and look forward to a prosperous year ahead. It is an important family tradition and most Vietnamese travel to their home to celebrate with their relatives. As a result, travel services are fully booked during this time and many businesses close to allow their staff to return home.
So what does that mean for leisure travellers wanting to explore Vietnam during this time? Our aim in this blog is to provide a balanced perspective by highlighting the challenges of travelling in Vietnam during Tet. Based on EXO’s decades of travel planning experience, we share our insight on what to expect and tips for a smooth, enjoyable Vietnam holiday.
Limited transportation options: During Tet, Vietnam transforms as millions of locals travel to reunite with their families. This mass movement significantly impacts transportation, making flights, trains and transfers scarce and more costly.
Booking well in advance is essential. Yet, even with meticulous planning, travellers should brace for delays due to the sheer volume of air traffic and the stretched capacity of ground transportation.
Closed businesses and attractions: The spirit of Tet touches every corner of Vietnamese life, leading to the closure of most businesses and attractions, including museums, restaurants and local markets. For visitors, this limits options for dining and sightseeing.
Higher prices: Comparable to the Christmas and New Year period in western countries, Tet sees a surge in prices for guides, services and accommodations due to increased demand and the holiday premium.
Suggestions for Tet travel:
For those with fixed travel dates that coincide with Tet, they can still enjoy a memorable Vietnam holiday with some smart advanced planning.
- Focus on two to three destinations: By embracing slow travel, guests will avoid the crowds and possible delays that are common during Tet.
- Book hotels with restaurants: While most restaurants close down during Tet, hotel dining venues usually stay open – although sometimes with more limited menus. By booking a hotel with a restaurant, there is no need to worry about finding a place to eat during Tet
- Book early: Avoid last minute price hikes and capacity issues by booking well in advance
- Be patient: Service can be slow during Tet, due to limited staff. Understanding the situation in advance will help avoid frustration when things are delayed.
- Embrace the Tet spirit: In the weeks leading up to Tet, the festive spirit is everywhere as the streets fill up with flowers and couples, friends and families gather for photos at iconic sites
When is Tet in 2025, 2026, 2027:
Of course the best way to avoid the challenges of travelling during Tet is to choose an alternative time of year to visit Vietnam.
When searching for the date online, remember to consider that the local travel surge begins at least two weeks before the holiday and continues for around one week after.
For 2025, Tet falls on 29 January so we recommend avoiding visiting Vietnam 15 Jan – 5 February. In 2026, the date is 17 February meaning that most of February will be affected. And in 2027, Tet is 7 February so late January through mid-February are best avoided.
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