Once a year, Vietnam trades its famous motorbike roar for a rare hush. In 2027, that pause begins on Saturday, February 6, when the Year of the Goat arrives. Flower streets bloom, families head home by the millions, and visitors who plan well get to see the country at its most heartfelt. This Tet holiday travel guide covers the dates, what stays open, where to go and how to avoid the common mistakes.
1. Tet 2027 at a Glance
| Item | Tet 2027 detail |
| Kitchen Gods Day (Ông Táo) | Saturday, January 30, 2027 |
| Tet Eve (Giao Thừa) | Friday, February 5, 2027 |
| Tet Day 1 (Mùng 1), start of the Year of the Goat (Đinh Mùi) | Saturday, February 6, 2027 |
| Tet Day 2 and Day 3 | Sunday, February 7 and Monday, February 8, 2027 |
| Official public-sector holiday | Thursday, February 4 to Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (7 days) |
| Government offices reopen | Thursday, February 11, 2027 |
| Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month) | Saturday, February 20, 2027 |
2. When Is Tet 2027 in Vietnam?
Tet Nguyen Dan, usually shortened to Tet, is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Tet 2027 falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027. That is eleven days earlier than Tet 2026, which fell on February 17, and Tet 2028 will move back again to January 26.
The government approved a seven-day break for civil servants and public employees, running from February 4 to February 10, 2027. The five paid holiday days fall on February 4 to 8, and two compensatory rest days extend the break to February 10. Private employers are encouraged to follow the same schedule, but they can choose their own arrangement, so actual closing dates vary from one business to the next.
For travelers, the real Tet runs longer than the official holiday. Think of it in three phases:
- Before Tet (about January 28 to February 4, 2027): Markets, flower streets and shops are at their busiest. Families clean their homes and shop for gifts and food. This is the most colorful time for photography and street life.
- During Tet (February 5 to 10, 2027): The country goes quiet. Many family-run shops and restaurants close for at least the first three days of the new year, while large hotels, resorts and major attractions generally keep operating.
- After Tet (from about February 11, 2027): Offices reopen and services return to normal over several days. Many travelers find this the easiest and most affordable window to tour Vietnam.
3. Is Tet a Good Time to Travel to Vietnam?
Tet is a good time to visit Vietnam if you value atmosphere over convenience and plan ahead. It is a poor choice if you need every restaurant and attraction open on your exact schedule.
What works in your favor:
- Flower markets, decorated boulevards and temple visits that are at their best only at this time of year
- Quiet streets in Hanoi on the morning of Tet Day 1, when the Old Quarter looks completely different
- A warm welcome, with some travelers invited by guides or hosts to share a family meal
What to plan around:
- Most Vietnamese people travel to their hometowns right before Tet and return at the end of the holiday, so trains, flights and roads are heavily booked
- Prices for flights and hotels rise during the peak period
- Small restaurants, tailors and local workshops often close, even in popular destinations such as Hoi An
Best for: culture-focused travelers, photographers, families seeking a slower pace, and groups that book early. Less suited to: travelers who rely on spontaneous plans or on a packed sightseeing agenda.
4. What Is Open and Closed During Tet?
| Category | Typical situation during the Tet holiday (February 4 to 10, 2027) |
| Government offices | Closed; reopen February 11 |
| Banks | Most branches closed; ATMs operate (carry some cash) |
| Large hotels, resorts and chain businesses | Generally open, sometimes with reduced services or set Tet menus |
| Airports | Open, but very busy before and after the holiday |
| Major tourist attractions | Usually open, but check hours for Tet Day 1 to 3 |
| Small family restaurants and shops | Many closed for at least the first three days |
| Ride-hailing apps | Operate, but availability drops on Tet Eve and Day 1, with surge pricing |
Tourist centers such as Hanoi’s Old Quarter, central Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Nha Trang keep many restaurants and hotels running, but service is rarely at full capacity because staff return to their home provinces. Ask your hotel for a list of open restaurants and pre-book dinners for Tet Eve and Tet Day 1.
5. Transport, Prices and Booking Windows for Tet
The week before Tet is the busiest travel period of the year in Vietnam. Many people leave the big cities for their hometowns, and they return at the end of the holiday. Plan inter-city moves outside the peak days, which are the days before February 5 and around February 10 to 11, 2027.
Booking windows:
- International flights into Vietnam: book 3 to 4 months ahead. For a February 6 Tet, that means booking now.
- Domestic flights, especially Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hue routes: book about 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
- Hotels in beach and mountain destinations: during a recent Tet, national tourism data showed average occupancy of about 70%, while destinations such as Phu Quoc, Sa Pa and Phan Thiet reached peak rates of 90 to 95%. Reserve early in these places.
Prices: Tour operators reported Tet tour prices about 5% to 15% higher than regular rates for Tet 2026, mainly because of airfare, restaurant and hotel costs. Hotel and flight rates can rise much more on peak dates. Many operators build guide and transport surcharges directly into Tet-period rates, so always confirm what is included.
Note: Prices vary by route, date and supplier. Treat all figures as estimates and confirm with your tour operator before quoting clients.
6. Best Places to Spend Tet 2027
6.1. Hanoi
Hanoi offers the most traditional Tet in Vietnam. Pink peach blossoms fill the streets, flower markets such as the one on Hang Luoc Street are at their busiest in the days before Tet Eve on February 5, 2027, and crowds gather near Hoan Kiem Lake for the midnight fireworks. On the morning of Tet Day 1 (February 6), the Old Quarter falls almost silent, which makes it a rewarding time for an early walk. Hanoi suits travelers who want a classic, calm Vietnamese New Year.
6.2. Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City feels warmer, more festive and more modern. Nguyen Hue Flower Street, held every year and in its 23rd edition in 2026, is the centerpiece, with yellow apricot blossoms and large floral displays in District 1. More hotels and restaurants stay open here than in many other cities, so Ho Chi Minh City works well for visitors who want Tet atmosphere without a full shutdown. On Tet Eve, expect heavy crowds and traffic restrictions around the main events, so stay within walking distance of the area you plan to visit.
6.3. Hoi An
Hoi An is known for its lantern-lit old town, which looks especially atmospheric against the quiet streets of the holiday. The trade-off is that some local restaurants and tailors close, so Hoi An suits couples and slow travelers who are happy to adapt. Hue, the former imperial capital, offers a more ceremonial Tet. Locals in ao dai visit the Royal Citadel and temples, and restaurants serve Hue-style Tet dishes, which makes the city a good fit for culture seekers. Da Nang adds a lively option nearby, with Han River fireworks and the Dragon Bridge lit up at night.
6.4. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is the easiest choice for a smooth, resort-based Tet. Hotels provide full services throughout the holiday, but occupancy on the island is among the highest in the country, so booking early is essential. Families, honeymooners and comfort seekers will find it the least disruptive option. For a very different experience, the Mekong Delta offers quiet river towns, flower villages and family celebrations in a rural setting, best for travelers who want to see how Tet is celebrated away from the big cities.
If this is your first Tet in Vietnam, choose one base, either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and stay there for the peak days. Moving between cities during the holiday is the most common reason Tet trips go wrong.
7. Sample Tet 2027 Itineraries
Pre-Tet culture week (January 28 to February 3, 2027). This plan puts you in Vietnam while markets and decorations are at their peak and finishes before the pre-holiday exodus. Spend three nights in Hanoi visiting flower markets, the Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter. Then continue to Hoi An or Hue for three nights, with time for lantern-lit evenings and heritage sites. Book the domestic flight early, because routes between Hanoi and central Vietnam fill up quickly as Tet approaches.
Tet week, stay-put plan (February 4 to 9, 2027). This plan keeps transfers to a minimum during the busiest days. Spend three nights in a hub city, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, where hotels and many restaurants keep operating. Join the Tet Eve celebrations on February 5 and enjoy the quiet streets on the morning of February 6. Then finish with a resort stay in Phu Quoc or Nha Trang for the remaining nights. Pre-book dinners for Tet Eve and Tet Day 1, since the choice of open restaurants is smaller.
Post-Tet classic (from February 11, 2027). Government offices reopen on February 11, and most services return to normal over the following days. This is the easiest time for the classic north to south route: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. Attractions are quieter than in the weeks before Tet, and many travelers find this window the most relaxed and affordable.
Note: These are sample outlines. Flight times, hotel availability and attraction hours should be confirmed with a local operator for each departure.
8. Tet Food and Etiquette for Visitors
Food: Tet food is cooked in advance because families celebrate for several days. Banh chung (square sticky rice cake) is the signature dish in the north and banh tet (cylindrical) in the south. Mut, candied fruit, is served as a snack to every visitor.
Etiquette:
- Families complete house cleaning before Tet begins. Sweeping on the first days is traditionally avoided because it is said to sweep away good luck.
- Visiting is organized by tradition: Day 1 is for the father’s side of the family, Day 2 for the mother’s side and Day 3 for teachers.
- Lucky money is given in red envelopes, usually in crisp, new notes. If a host or guide invites you to a family meal, accepting the invitation is a warm gesture.
- Dress modestly at temples and pagodas.
9. Planning Tet 2027 Groups: A Checklist for Travel Agents and Tour Operators
Most Tet guides are written for individual travelers. Agents and operators handle a different set of problems: supplier availability, holiday surcharges and group logistics. Use this checklist when planning Tet 2027 programs in Vietnam:
- Fix the dates early. Decide whether the group travels before, during or after the February 4 to 10 window. Programs before February 1 or after February 11 are usually the easiest to operate.
- Confirm surcharges. Ask every supplier about guide, driver, hotel and restaurant surcharges for Tet Eve, Tet Day 1 and Tet Day 2 to 3, and whether they are already included in the quoted rate.
- Verify supplier closures. Check attractions, restaurants, workshops and cultural venues one by one for February 5 to 8. Replace closed items before the itinerary is finalized.
- Pre-book meals. Reserve set menus for Tet Eve and Tet Day 1 at hotels or restaurants that confirm in writing. Dietary needs, such as vegetarian, Jain and halal meals, should be arranged in advance because the choice of open restaurants is smaller.
- Secure transport first. Domestic flights, trains and private vehicles sell out ahead of the exodus. Avoid inter-city moves on the peak days around February 4 to 5 and February 10 to 11.
- Prepare cash and payments. Banks are mostly closed, so plan cash for tips and small purchases.
- Brief the group. Share a short note on Tet etiquette, quiet streets and limited shopping, so expectations match reality.
- Keep a backup plan. Have one alternative activity for each day in case a venue changes its hours.
10. Tet Holiday Travel FAQ
When is Tet 2027 in Vietnam?
Tet Day 1 is Saturday, February 6, 2027, and Tet Eve is Friday, February 5, 2027.
How long is the Tet holiday in 2027?
The official public-sector break is seven days, from February 4 to February 10, 2027. Many people take extra days off, and some businesses close for longer.
Is everything closed during Tet in Vietnam?
No. Large hotels, resorts, airports and many major attractions stay open. Government offices and most banks close, and many small family businesses close for at least the first three days.
Is Tet a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes, if you plan ahead and accept a slower pace. It suits culture-focused travelers and groups that book early.
How much more expensive is Tet travel?
Tour operators reported tour prices about 5% to 15% higher than regular rates for Tet 2026. Flights and peak-date hotel rooms can rise by more.
When should I book flights for Tet 2027?
Book international flights 3 to 4 months ahead and domestic flights about 6 to 8 weeks ahead. For Tet 2027, that means booking international flights now.
Where is the best place for first-time visitors during Tet?
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the easiest bases because more services stay open. Phu Quoc and Nha Trang suit travelers who want a resort stay.
Is Tet the same as Chinese New Year?
Both celebrate the Lunar New Year, and in 2027 both fall on February 6. Vietnamese Tet has its own food, customs and zodiac animals, such as the Cat instead of the Rabbit.
Plan Your Tet 2027 Program with Viet Dan Travel
Tet is a season where early planning decides the quality of the trip. Viet Dan Travel supports international travel agents, tour operators and MICE planners with Tet-aware itineraries, supplier confirmations and ground operations across Vietnam, from our offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and our representative office in Mysore, India. Send us your group size and preferred travel window, and our team will propose a Tet 2027 program with confirmed suppliers and clear surcharge details.
