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Holidays in Vietnam offer experiences that can feel quite different from an ordinary visit. You might encounter bustling flower markets before Tet, streets lined with red flags on National Day or the sound of lion dance drums on a Mid-Autumn Festival evening. These occasions bring local culture closer through the ways people prepare, gather and spend time together.

Holidays can also affect opening hours, service prices and travel arrangements. Understanding the meaning of each occasion, along with what to prepare, will help you enjoy the celebrations while keeping your trip comfortable.

What Are the Main Holidays in Vietnam?

When planning your travel dates, it helps to distinguish official public holidays from cultural and religious festivals. An occasion may be widely celebrated without being a nationwide public holiday.

The main official public holidays to keep in mind include:

These holidays are established under the Labour Code and the additional provisions for Vietnam Culture Day. The dates in the table are the key dates to remember; the full holiday break may be longer because of weekends, substitute days off or adjusted working schedules. Check the official announcements for the year of your visit.

What Makes Vietnam’s Major Holidays Special?

New Year’s Day: Welcoming the Year in Vietnam’s Cities

Celebrated on January 1, New Year’s Day is familiar to many international visitors. In major cities, celebrations often center on public squares, pedestrian streets, hotels and entertainment venues. Countdown events, performances and fireworks depend on each locality’s plans for that year.

If you would like to join in, check where the event takes place and how you will return to your hotel afterward. Staying within walking distance can make the evening more comfortable, particularly when streets are crowded and arranging a ride takes longer.

Lunar New Year: A Closer Look at Family and Tradition

Among the holidays in Vietnam, Lunar New Year holds a special place in family life. Many people return to their hometowns, honor their ancestors, visit relatives and exchange wishes for the year ahead.

The festive atmosphere begins before New Year’s Eve: Homes are cleaned, flower markets fill with shoppers and traditional dishes are prepared for family gatherings. Visitors can experience this through a walk around a market, the sight of peach blossoms and yellow mai flowers, or the greeting “Chúc mừng năm mới,” meaning “Happy New Year.” Vietnam Tourism’s guide to Tet explains these customs in more detail.

If you are invited into someone’s home, ask beforehand about a suitable time to visit and take your cue from your host. A sincere interest, a simple New Year greeting and a respectful manner can help the visit feel relaxed and natural.

Hung Kings Commemoration Day: Remembering National Origins

Hung Kings Commemoration Day falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month and is rooted in the tradition of honoring the Hung Kings. The Hung Temple complex in Phu Tho is a prominent site for the occasion, with incense offerings and festival activities. You can learn more through Vietnam Tourism’s introduction.

For visitors interested in history, this is an opportunity to observe how communities preserve shared memories through ceremony. If you attend, dress respectfully, be prepared to walk and allow plenty of time, as the ceremonial areas can become crowded.

April 30 and May 1: Historical Commemoration and a Holiday Break

April 30 commemorates the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification, while May 1 is International Labour Day. Because the dates are consecutive, they are often referred to as a single holiday break, although each has its own significance.

International visitors can use this occasion to visit museums and historic sites and learn more about Vietnam’s history. Check published schedules for commemorative events rather than assuming the same activities take place every year.

This is also a time when many Vietnamese families travel for a holiday. If you are heading to a popular destination, booking accommodation and transport early can give you a wider choice of suitable options.

National Day on September 2: Red Flags Across Towns and Cities

National Day marks President Ho Chi Minh’s reading of the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. Around this occasion, national flags appear along streets and outside offices and homes, creating a distinctive atmosphere that you can notice even on a simple walk through the city.

If you would like to attend commemorative activities, check local announcements for event times, locations and traffic changes. On days with major events, an itinerary with fewer stops can help you stay flexible.

Vietnam Culture Day on November 24: A New Holiday to Note

From 2026, November 24 is designated as Vietnam Culture Day, with employees entitled to a paid day off. This provision forms part of the resolution on the development of Vietnamese culture, which took effect on July 1, 2026. Government information also provides for admission fees at public institutions to be waived or reduced, subject to decisions by the relevant authorities.

If your trip falls around this date, look out for programs at museums, historic sites and cultural venues in your destination. Check the specific conditions, as admission policies will not necessarily be the same everywhere.

Other Cultural Celebrations Travelers Should Know About

The Mid-Autumn Festival, held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is associated with lanterns, mooncakes and lion dances. For families with young children, an evening browsing traditional toys or sharing mooncakes can become a memorable part of the trip. The festive atmosphere often begins before the full-moon celebration itself.

Christmas is also celebrated at many churches, in neighborhoods and at shopping centers. However, neither the Mid-Autumn Festival nor Christmas is an official nationwide public holiday. When visiting a church or observing a ceremony, keep a respectful distance, speak quietly and ask permission before photographing participants.

Why Should Travelers Know About Holidays in Vietnam?

To Choose the Experience You Want

Someone interested in local customs may want to arrive before Tet to visit flower markets and see how people prepare for the new year. Travelers seeking a quiet retreat, meanwhile, may need to consider how a long holiday break affects a busy destination. Knowing the holiday calendar helps you choose dates that suit the way you want to enjoy your trip.

To Avoid Disruptions to Meals, Accommodation and Transport

Especially during Tet, some shops and family-run restaurants may close or change their hours. Hotels, restaurants and attractions each have their own operating schedules. Confirming meals, check-in arrangements and transport with your accommodation is more useful than relying solely on normal opening hours.

Ticket prices, room rates and transport costs may also vary with demand. When booking services, check the total price, any holiday surcharges and the conditions for changes or cancellations.

To Allow Enough Time for Important Connections

During peak periods, leave extra time for getting to the airport, collecting luggage and reaching your pickup point. If you need to board a cruise or join a tour at a fixed time soon after landing, a tight schedule can be difficult to manage when plans change. Spending a night at your destination before an important activity can sometimes make the whole trip more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Holidays in Vietnam

Final Thoughts

Holidays in Vietnam give visitors a deeper understanding of the country’s history, family life and the ways communities preserve their traditions. Knowing the meaning and pace of each occasion helps you choose suitable experiences while preparing for meals, accommodation and travel.

If your trip coincides with a holiday break, you can speak with Vietnam Skyservice (VSS) about fast track, airport transfers and SIM/eSIM options suited to your airport, arrival time and needs. Arranging the essentials beforehand leaves you more time to enjoy the celebrations and make the most of your trip.