Vietnam Festive Season
Joy of Detours to Vibrant Traditions
Find top destinations & activities in Vietnam for your holidays here!
Are you seeking a year-end holidays trip or opening for a 2025 journey? Vietnam welcomes you with a treasure of authentic and vibrant values of nature and culture! From North to South, cities to countrysides, you will unveil a colorful tapestry of detours to off-the-beaten-track spots with local communities.
Contact us for personalized recommendations, expert tips, and seamless booking services.
Worried about the weather?
Let's see weather in Vietnam this festive season
North Vietnam
Weather is crisp and no rain from November to early February, then it’s cooler and has some small rain in February and March. Temperature in the mountains is 3-4°C lower than areas in the plain.
Center Vietnam
Weather is comfortable with an average temperature of roughly 20-27°C, but the period from November to February is the rainy season in some regions including Hue and Hoi An, so carefully check the weather forecast before your trip. February and March promise you with various colorful festivals.
In highlands like Dak Lak, Kin Tum, Gia Lai,..., it’s less rain with the average daytime temperatures is roughly 18°C - 25°C and cool at night (10°C - 15°C)
South Vietnam
Warm lands all around the year with the desirable weather on average of 24-32°C from November to March. This is the dry season, so free to plan your trip.
*It’s noted that climate change makes it hard to predict the weather, so please tell us your time to Vietnam then we can give you more exact information.
Festive season in Vietnam
Where to go & What to know
Treat yourself to an unforgettable year-end trip or kick off the new year with joy by immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere and vibrant colors of Vietnam’s corners during this festive season, from North to South!
Ha Giang
A land of hidden treasures that is easier to reach than you might think, perfect for everyone - who are seeking untouched natural beauty and genuine cultural customs of ethnic groups through local paths
Mai Chau - Pu Luong
A low mountain area not far from Hanoi boasting rich values in nature and culture. Especially, don’t miss the vibrant and authentic Gầu Tào Festival, a highlight in the Blue H’mong New Year celebration. Then, enhance your journey with a motorbike, cycling trip, hot springs, and traditional handicrafts.
Cao Bang
Why not explore a UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark with the eyes of a true adventurer? Take it slow and you will savor the diverse hidden gems while delving into the traditional crafts for generations and become more lively in Tet holidays.
Ha Noi
Hanoi comes alive with festive energy, from the bustling city center to the outskirts, traditional craft villages hum with activity to create beautiful products for Tết. After that, this city will blossom into a line of spring festivals at lots of temples, pagodas, and village halls.
Phan Thiet
The perfect warm beach getaway for you to escape winter in the North! Bask in the soft sand and gentle sunshine while discovering the rustic charm of fishing villages and the remnants of an ancient civilization that time has almost forgotten.
Dak Lak
Join locals in a lively circle and dance around a warm fire to the rhythmic beats of gongs - this is joyful and heroic essence of Vietnam Highlands! You’ll be welcomed by abundant year-end and new-year traditional festivals. Don’t forget to soak into epic spiritual, cultural and historical stories of Vietnam.
Mekong Delta
The orchard of Vietnam, which takes you to the festive atmosphere the most! The highlight of the year-end days is Sa Dec Flower Village, with vibrant colors throughout roads and floating markets, creating postcard-worthy scenes. Beyond that is lots of culture and nature stories await you!
Mu Cang Chai
Immerse yourself in our small village, where you’ll connect authentically with local families who have been our friends for years. Experience their lively Tet preparations, from colorful clothing and fabrics to house repairs and traditional rituals.
We're here to answer all your concerns, let's talk to us!
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're looking for support, details about our services, or troubleshooting tips, you'll find it all here.
The first day of the Lunar calendar in Vietnam is January 29, 2025, and Vietnamese will enjoy a day-off from January 29 to February 5. Hotels, restaurants, and healthcare may be limited on January 29-31. Outside these days, most services will operate as usual. At DCT Responsible Travel, we’re here to support you online throughout your trip—even on Tết days! Planning ahead with us to get a unique chance to celebrate this special holiday alongside
Major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Phan Thiet are your best bets during Tet holidays that still offer services throughout these days. While there might be fewer dining and activity options during the main celebration days (January 29–30), most places will reopen before and after. A tip for you is double-check holiday schedules for specific places to avoid surprises.
Traveling to rural areas on Jan 28–31 requires planning. Many services may pause, so confirm with suppliers and arrange transport early. If you plan to head to the mountains, be ready to stay 2-3 days as transport back to major cities could be limited.
Yes, prices for most of the accommodation, transport, and tours typically rise by 20–30% during Tết, which also leads to the price of the whole package increasing. Tip: Discuss your plans with your tour operator or service providers early so you can budget accordingly and have a seamless experience.
Before Tet, you can join rare traditions like the Gau Tao Festival in Mai Chau, celebrated by the H’Mong people a month early. Click here to gain more experiences!
During Tet, await vibrant flower markets, fireworks, and festive fairs across cities. After that, from February to March, dive into spring festivals with the purpose of praying for peace, prosperity, good fortune, bountiful harvests and fishing, or successful careers. They happen in local temples, communal houses, pagodas around cities or agricultural customs in rural villages such as Hương Pagoda festival, Long Tong Festival, boat racing festivals, and more.
Each region offers unique cultural gems. Contact us for detailed information!
This is up to your choice, but most restaurants and shops close on January 29 – the first day of Tet, but many reopen the next day. So, remember to check opening hours in advance—most places post updates online or on their doors.
Tết is a feast for the senses! Don’t miss these traditional dishes! Each region of Vietnam—North, Central, and South—has its own distinct Tet delicacies, especially and can’t be lost is “bánh chưng”, “bánh tét”, which come in various versions in different regions.
Besides, a typical Vietnamese Tet feast includes an array of dishes that reflect family traditions and local flavors. Some must-try dishes are boiled chicken (gà luộc), braised pork belly (thịt kho), spring rolls (nem cuốn), pickled onions or vegetables (dưa hành muối), stewed pork in jelly (thịt đông), smoked or cured meats (lạp xưởng hoặc thịt gác bếp), sticky rice (xôi), fruit candies (mứt), etc.
Giving gifts or lì xì (red envelopes with money) is a heartfelt way to share good wishes for the new year for kids and elders, while friends or family appreciate small but meaningful gifts like sweets, tea, or wine.
Tết is all about spreading positivity! Greet locals with these phrases like: – “Chúc mừng năm mới” – Chook moong nahm moy (Happy New Year) – “Chúc bạn nhiều sức khỏe và thành công” – Chook bahn nyoo soo-kwuh vay tahnh kohng (Wishing you good health and success) – “Chúc bạn an khang thịnh vượng, vạn sự như ý” – Chook bahn ahn kahng tin voong, vahnt soo nyoo ee (Wishing you peace, prosperity and gain everything you want)
Yes! From January 25–28, local flower markets bloom with colors—peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and orchids are crowd favorites. Local markets also sell everything Vietnamese need for Tet, from traditional ingredients to vibrant decorations – just free to go around!
CUSTOMER FEEDBACKS
Such an amazing trip. Even I already visited many places in Vietnam, I enjoyed this trip with DCT's team more than other. The service is excellent (rare) and the choice of the accommodation along with the trip full of surprise is fantastic. I immersed myself in an authentic and traditional Vietnam. I come back refreshed.
Jean Michel Huet
Traveler
Apart from walking in North Vietnam amazing landscapes and jungle, my two nights trip in Lam Thuong with DCT included wonderful stay at Miss Nay homestay, delicious sashimis at M.Viet's, an unforgettable colorfoul Pai Tay festival (greatest soccer game ever) and the funniest lunch time at Mrs Ngot. Thanks to Chi Lam and her team, I had a weekend full of laughter and care. Cảm ơn mọi người rất nhiều!
Maria Vietnam
Traveler
Sapa was on my list for a visit for a longer time although I was in Vietnam for a couple of times and always missed to go there. DCT proposed a tour starting in Hanoi and going to Sapa with a sleeping bus at daytime what took about 7hrs to get there. Sapa itself is quite a touristic place but used as a starting point for tours it's a good option. DCT booked me a fine hotel and from there I was lucky to get very well organized daily private tours in cars and with local guides to remote villages and markets I could not imagine that they still exist. Vivid places with people from ethnic minorities in their local dresses, colorful and truly amazing. Rice terraces, teaplantations, workshops, homestays with "family connection", caves, waterfalls, panoramic views...DCT organized with a lot of skill and passion and made it an unforgettable experience. If you want to see the true Vietnam beside crowded places DCT is the right choice.
Enrico Fabiani
Photographer | Tour Leader
We had a fantastic trip to Mu Cang Chai with DCT Travel. Everything was perfectly organized, from the overnight bus from Hanoi to accommodation in a homestay with an incredibly kind family. On the first day, we went on a motorbike tour to the rice fields, and on the second day, we went trekking. Our guide, Nung, went above and beyond to take care of us and even showed us her home. All the other guides and drivers also contributed to making the trip an unforgettable experience. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Nicola Puchas
Traveler
A local tour operator that really listened to me! I had a specific itinerary in mind and they were more than happy to customize a package just for me, including transportation and guided tours. They gave me great advice and were always available on WhatsApp if I needed anything. Definitely recommend!
Rita Bradamanti
Traveler
Deep insights on traveling to Vietnam
Why choose DCT Responsible Travel?
With seasoned travel experts, always eager to explore new spots and local friends in the lands, our team will take you off the tourist radar, closer to nature, through hill tribes to breathtaking viewpoints. Grab your chances to fully and mindfully immerse in the steps of the wilderness.
Land soul is found in its people, so we’ll always connect you with local values, from culture, and people to life pace, starting with a warm welcome from our hospitable local friends. Let’s enjoy friendly talks with villagers, traditional crafts and joyful meals with yummy Indigenous food.
By venturing to less-traveled spots, we help to preserve natural resources and reduce overcrowding in popular spots. Additionally, local services are always prioritized such as local guides, homestays, meals, and cultural activities,… It’s a way to improve local income as well as cultural pride.
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