Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, is the most important and celebrated holiday in Vietnam. It marks the arrival of spring according to the lunar calendar and is a time of family, renewal and gratitude. Tet is a time when families come together, homes are decorated, and everyone welcomes the new year.
During Tet, Vietnam largely shuts down, with businesses and government institutions closed. This also affects Local Vietnam, as our team takes time to be with family, which means our accessibility is temporarily limited.
Local Vietnam during the Tet Holiday
During the Tet holiday (25th January to 2nd February), Local Vietnam will be making some adjustments to its operations. Here is what you can expect:
- Full Support for Travellers: Travellers who have booked with us during the Tet period will continue to receive full support. Our team is ready to assist where needed.
- New Enquiries: All new enquiries received during the Tet holiday will be processed in the first week after the holiday. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
- Priority to Urgent Travel: Due to the current high volume of requests and the Tet holiday, response times to requests may be slightly longer than usual. We aim to respond to everyone in the week following the holiday, with priority given to travel proposals that take place at short notice.
Traveling during Vietnamese New Year
If you choose to travel during Vietnamese New Year (Tet), there are a few important aspects to consider:
- Tours: Many tours pause on the day of Vietnamese New Year itself or throughout the holiday period.
- Accommodation: Prices may be higher and accommodations may fill up faster than usual.
- Transportation: Public transportation and flights are often fully booked, so plan well in advance. ATMs: These can run out as people withdraw cash for ‘lucky money’, and are refilled less frequently during the holidays.
- Restaurants: Many restaurants close their doors; some for just a few days, while others remain closed for the entire holiday.
What is Vietnamese New Year?
Vietnamese New Year, or Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnam, similar to Christmas in other parts of the world. It is a time for family, rest and the celebration of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Tet brings a period of renewal, with rituals that wash away the bad luck of the past year and welcome good fortune for the new year.
During Tet, Vietnam transforms. Cities are decorated with lanterns, flowers and red envelopes, known as ‘lucky money’. It is a time of joy, but also of reflection and connection with family. For visitors, Tet offers a unique opportunity to experience Vietnam’s rich culture and traditions first-hand. However, due to the nationwide celebrations, daily life, including travel and services, may be temporarily affected.
Read our full guide about traveling during Vietnamese New Year, with all the tips you need.
