While Vietnam follows a 12-month Gregorian calendar for daily life, many local festivals follow a lunar calendar, meaning their dates vary each year. Below is a list of public holidays and major festivals according to the Gregorian calendar.
January
1 Jan – New Year’s Day
2 Jan – New Year’s Holiday
26 Jan - 1 Feb – Lunar New Year Holidays
Tet (Vietnamese New Year) - Late January/Early February
The most important holiday in Vietnam, this multi-day celebration starts on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar and is a time of traditional ceremonies, special foods and paying respects to ancestors. Visitors will see streets, shops and homes decorated with trees, fruit, paper flowers, calligraphy and lanterns. Some businesses close and transport is usually crowded during this time, as many Vietnamese travel to be with their families. Tourist sites tend to be very busy, as well. Although we do our best to run our Vietnamese tours during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited.
April
6-7 April – Hung Kings Commemoration Day
30 April – Reunification Day
Reunification Day
Also known as Victory Day or Liberation Day, this public holiday marks the fall of southern Vietnam, the end of the Vietnam War and the resulting unification of Vietnam. Streets are dressed in Vietnamese flags as patriotic parades take place in major cities across the country. Music performances featuring victorious songs can be heard in public squares, while fireworks light up the sky in Ho Chi Minh City. Reunification Day immediately precedes Labour Day, giving many people a few days off work and school. Most businesses close during this time, though shops and tourist areas remain open.
May
1 May – Labour Day
2 May – Reunification Day Holiday
Buddha’s Birthday – typically May
Temples throughout Vietnam celebrate Buddha’s birthday with colourful street processions on the 15th day of the 4th lunar month each year. Cities are transformed into a feast for the senses, as pagodas are beautifully decorated and flower garlands and illuminated lanterns are floated on waterways.
September
2 September – National Day
4 September – National Day Holiday
National Day
National Day commemorates the Vietnam Declaration of Independence from France on 2 September 1945. A festival atmosphere can be felt across the country as flags are hung, bars and restaurants extend their hours and streets are closed to traffic for patriotic street parties. In Hanoi, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake become pedestrian-only and fill with performances and an array of vendors selling tasty street food. In Saigon, fireworks and a street party fill Nguyen Hue Street.
Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) - Late September/Early October
This popular festival belongs to the children, but is still fun for adults too. With ancient roots rich in myth and legend, travellers will delight in seeing kids performing lion dances and participating in street processions. It’s also customary to give and receive Banh Trung Thu, or boxes of mooncakes, during this time. Filled with lotus seeds, red beans and sometimes a yoke from a salted egg to represent the moon, don’t miss tasting this traditional festival food.
For a current list of public holidays in Vietnam go to www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/Vietnam/public-holidays.
Click to return to Vietnam FAQs
Our Vietnam Tours
10 Days
From
1445
Take a ten-day tour of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops to cruise the...
18 Days
From
2427
Travel into the heart of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of Vietnam and...
13 Days
From
2070
Experience Vietnamese customs and charms on a 13-day family adventure from Hanoi to Ho...
10 Days
From
1454
Travel through Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Highlights include meeting...
15 Days
From
2359
Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural...
15 Days
From
1841
Journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on this 15-day Vietnam adventure. Trek in the...
8 Days
From
1509
From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, discover the delights of one of South-East Asia's...
9 Days
From
1105
Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a South East Asian adventure that explores Cambodia...
15 Days
From
2648
Uncover the proud, spirited heart of Vietnam on this classic adventure. Tour Hanoi,...
18 Days
From
2493
Jump on this adventurous three-week journey to see the very best of Cambodia and...
13 Days
From
1850
Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....
15 Days
From
1267
Discover Vietnam and all its wonders on this exciting two-week tour. Uncover hidden...
11 Days
From
972
Head from old-world Hanoi to ancient Hue and on to pretty Hoi An via beachy Phan Rang, ...
11 Days
From
918
Delve into Vietnamese culture on this 11-day journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City....
9 Days
From
1705
Get the most out of your family getaway by cycling, kayaking, walking and cruising...
12 Days
From
1067
Travel from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City on a journey of discovery. Uncover the...
9 Days
From
975
Follow the Angkor trails on a trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Explore the...
12 Days
From
2210
Travel the breadth of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing tranquil...
11 Days
From
1560
Hike, bike and kayak across Vietnam on this active tour based out of Hanoi. Trek in...
15 Days
From
1186
From hectic Ho Chi Minh City to historic Hanoi, with Hoi An, Hue and Cat Ba Island in...
13 Days
From
3695
Uncover the dramatic histories of these two beautiful countries on a trip through the...
30 Days
From
5440
Travel into the heart and soul of South East Asia on this comprehensive tour of...
20 Days
From
2250
From bustling Ho Chi Minh City to historical Hanoi, the Best of Vietnam tour is an...
22 Days
From
1921
Bounce from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, through Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville Province and Siem...
10 Days
From
694
From Bangkok you'll hit the ancient streets and temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, get...
12 Days
From
1105
Travel to Cambodia on an Intrepid adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok. Explore...
26 Days
From
2355
Experience South East Asia on a trip through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Journey...
22 Days
From
2280
Explore South East Asia on a trip through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Travel from...
12 Days
From
1067
Dive headfirst from Ho Chi Minh City into Cambodia, visiting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap,...
10 Days
From
1530
Travel from historic Hanoi to modern Ho Chi Minh City with a group of solo travellerse....
23 Days
From
3177
Explore vibrant Vietnam, charismatic Cambodia and beguiling Bangkok on this awesome...
20 Days
From
4002
Get to know Vietnam and Cambodia, each with their own uniquely enchanting culture and...
13 Days
From
2822
See Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand from two wheels on this 13-day adventure from Ho Chi...
10 Days
From
1197
Experience the boundlessly welcoming and friendly nature of the ethnic hill tribe...
15 Days
From
3450
Combine the excitement of Vietnam with the friendly warmth of Cambodia for an exotic...
24 Days
From
1748
Take a trip with the lot – Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Tuy Hoa, Hoi An,...
35 Days
From
4575
Embark on an epic journey to explore the best of South East Asia. Venture out from...
13 Days
From
1850
Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....
8 Days
From
1400
Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Northern Vietnam. Take in...
34 Days
From
3960
Join us for the South East Asian trip of your dreams – a little bit of Bangkok, a pinch...
22 Days
From
4170
South East Asia Uncovered snakes its way through the delights of Thailand, Laos and...
15 Days
From
3855
Experience the sights, smells and tastes of Southeast Asia on a family tour through...
20 Days
From
3704
Travel from Hanoi down and over to Siem Reap, seeing the landmark attractions,...
27 Days
From
5415
Gear up for an energising and rewarding cycling tour that takes in the best of...
17 Days
From
4375
Journey through the highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam, experiencing local life,...
9 Days
From
1930
Experience the eclectic allure of China on this adventure from Hanoi to Kunming....
10 Days
From
1730
Travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An on this family cycling adventure through Vietnam....
18 Days
From
3075
From Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, explore Cambodia's fascinating history and impressive...
23 Days
From
6018
From Vietnam to Cambodia, discover incredible diversity, delectable cuisines, dramatic...
5 Days
From
438
Trek through Vietnam's mountainous region in the north-west to experience hiltribe...
2 Days
From
340
Cast away on a traditional-style boat and set sail through hundreds of limestone karsts...
2 Days
From
258
See local industry, beautiful islands and what life is like along the mighty Mekong...
20 Days
From
3890
Discover the spectacular southern reaches of China on this adventure through its most...
29 Days
From
5210
Discover the remote mountains of northwest Vietnam and southwest China on a trip from...
4 Days
From
558
See the contrasts of city and river life around Ho Chi Minh City on this exciting short...
18 Days
From
3180
Discover the remote mountains of northwest Vietnam and southwest China on a trip from...
