To be honest, I only found out after booking my flight that I would be traveling through Vietnam during TET, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. I usually escape the Dutch winter in January or February, which happens to be exactly the period when TET can take place. At first, I wondered whether traveling during Vietnam’s biggest holiday was such a good idea. Would everything be closed? Would transport be difficult? In reality, TET became one of the most interesting parts of my trip. Vietnam was full of flowers, flags, family celebrations and traditions that I would otherwise never have experienced.

So, should you travel during TET in Vietnam? For me the answer is Yes, but there are a few things you should know before booking your trip.

What is TET?

TET Nguyen Dan, usually shortened to TET, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the most important celebration in Vietnam. One of my guides described it as Christmas and New Year combined, which gives you a good idea of how important this holiday is for Vietnamese families. TET marks the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar and usually falls between late January and mid-February. Families travel home to celebrate together, honor their ancestors and welcome the new year. The celebrations are not limited to one day. You will notice preparations, decorations and festivities well before Lunar New Year itself.

TET traditions in Vietnam

One of the things I loved about traveling during TET was seeing the traditions everywhere around me, rather than experiencing them as something organized especially for tourists. Homes are cleaned before the new year and decorated with flowers and trees. Peach blossoms are popular in northern Vietnam, while you will see more yellow apricot blossoms in the south. Kumquat trees are another familiar sight. Along the roads I saw thousands of Vietnamese flags, even in small towns and villages. Family is at the heart of TET. People travel across the country to celebrate together and pay respect to their ancestors. I also learned that people may visit their teachers to show appreciation for their knowledge.

I loved that tradition, especially because my sister is a teacher.

Food is, of course, another important part of the celebrations. Traditional dishes include bánh chưng, a square sticky rice cake often filled with mung beans and pork. Red envelopes with lucky money are given especially to children and older family members. You may also see families burning paper offerings for their ancestors. Then there are the more visible celebrations: fireworks, lion dances and performances. I saw them during several days of my trip, not just on New Year’s Eve.

Pros of traveling during TET

You experience Vietnamese culture up close

The biggest advantage is the cultural experience. You are visiting Vietnam during its most important celebration, and you can feel that almost everywhere. Local markets are particularly interesting in the days before TET, when families are buying food, flowers, decorations and gifts. You are not watching something organized for tourists. You are simply seeing daily life during a very special time of year.

Vietnam becomes incredibly colorful

Streets are filled with flowers, lanterns, flags and decorated trees. Around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, I saw couples and families dressed beautifully for photos and selfies. Some of the photo shoots looked seriously professional. The whole area had such a festive atmosphere that simply walking around became part of the experience.

You see TET beyond the big cities

I also noticed the celebrations outside the major cities. While traveling through Phong Nha, houses had been cleaned and Vietnamese flags were placed outside along the roads. That was one of the things I liked most. TET wasn’t something I only encountered in Hanoi or other tourist areas. You could see it throughout the country.

Cons of traveling during TET

Transport gets busy

This is probably the main disadvantage. Many Vietnamese travel home to their families, so buses, trains and domestic flights can become very busy around TET. I booked my transport months in advance through 12Go Asia and would recommend doing the same if your itinerary includes important travel days around Lunar New Year. Especially with flights and popular train routes, I wouldn’t rely on finding tickets at the last minute.

Traveling during TET? Book your main transport in advance. It takes away a lot of unnecessary stress during the busiest travel period of the year.

Some businesses close

Restaurants, shops and other businesses may close for several days so families can celebrate together. I was in Hue around Lunar New Year and certainly noticed that some restaurants were closed. But it was nowhere near as difficult as I had expected. Hotels were operating and there were still restaurants and massage places open for tourists. My Easy Rider from Hue to Hoi An even took me on New Year’s Day. I had booked him early, so that was definitely something I was happy to have arranged beforehand.

You may pay a little more

Prices can also be higher during the holiday period. Some hotels, transportation companies and restaurants charge a TET surcharge. At Nhà Hàng Chan in Hue, for example, I was charged 15% extra on my restaurant bill. It wasn’t a big issue, but it is useful to know that these extra holiday charges can occur.

My tips for traveling during TET

The main thing is to plan your important travel days in advance. Book long-distance buses, trains and flights early, and don’t leave your entire itinerary to chance during the busiest TET days. At the same time, leave some room to enjoy what is happening around you. Visit local markets before TET, walk through the decorated streets and enjoy the festivities when you come across them. Also keep in mind that this is first and foremost an important family holiday, not a tourist festival. Be respectful around family celebrations, temples and ceremonies and simply enjoy being able to witness such an important part of Vietnamese culture.

TET dates

TET follows the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year. If you are planning a Vietnam trip in January or February, it is worth checking the dates before booking your itinerary.

2026: February 17
2027: February 6
2028: January 26
2029: February 13
2030: February 2

Remember that Lunar New Year’s Day is only the official date. Preparations and celebrations start earlier and can continue afterward, so take the surrounding days into account when planning transport.

Would I travel during TET in Vietnam again?

Definitely. Yes, you need to book transport earlier. Some restaurants and shops will be closed and you may occasionally pay a holiday surcharge. But none of those things caused serious problems during my trip. Instead, I got to see Vietnam during its most important celebration. From the beautifully dressed families around Hoan Kiem Lake and the flags outside houses in Phong Nha to fireworks, lion dances and New Year’s Day in Hue, TET added something special to my journey. I discovered TET by accident when I booked my flight. Knowing what I know now, I would happily travel during TET again.

Planning a Vietnam trip? Check my practical Vietnam travel tips before you go.