During Tet (Lunar New Year), the biggest Vietnamese traditional festival of the year, there are many things to do in Hoi An Vietnam for visitors. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will provide visitors all information.
You may also like: Da Nang during Tet (Lunar New Year)
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Better to Know about Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)
– Starting date: 1st day of the 1st lunar month (late January-February)
– Ending date: three most important days are from 1st to 3rd days of the first lunar month, while the official Tet holiday is from 5 to 7 days (or even longer).
– Origin: Tet’s origins are rooted in the ancient wet rice civilizations of the Red River Delta, where it began as a celebration of the spring harvest and the start of a new agricultural cycle. While later influenced by Chinese lunar traditions during centuries of occupation, the holiday is uniquely Vietnamese, as seen in the legend of Banh chung (sticky rice cake) which dates back to the era of the Hung Kings. Today, it serves as the most sacred time of the year for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and letting go of the past to welcome a fresh start.
– Cultural significances:
Family reunion: It is considered the most vital time for people to travel back to their birthplaces, as the holiday serves as a sacred bridge that reunites living family members from across the country.
Ancestor veneration: Families meticulously clean their household altars and present elaborate food offerings to invite the spirits of deceased relatives to join the celebrations, ensuring the lineage remains connected.
The fresh start Philosophy: Individuals strive to settle all financial debts and resolve personal grievances before the new year begins to ensure that no negative energy or “bad luck” carries over into the future.
Lucky money: Red envelopes containing crisp new banknotes are exchanged between generations to spread prosperity, with specific wishes for health for the elderly and success for the young.
Symbolic floral decorations: Households are adorned with specific blossoms—pink peach branches in the north and yellow apricot flowers in the south—to attract wealth and symbolize the resilient spirit of spring.
The first visitor: Great importance is placed on the very first person to enter a home after midnight, as their personality and zodiac sign are believed to determine the family’s fortune for the next twelve months.
The Kitchen Gods ritual: One week before the main holiday, families perform a ceremony to send the guardian spirits of the home to heaven on the backs of golden carp to report on the family’s behavior.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Hoi An Weather During Tet (Lunar New Year)
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Hoi An Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
What to Do in Hoi An During Tet (Lunar New Year)?
The first day of Tet is January 29 in 2025, February 17 in 2026, February 6 in 2027; January 26 in 2028, February 13 in 2029, and February 3 in 2030.
Most important days of Tet include the last day of the lunar year (lunar new year eve) and 3 first days then.
For example, if Tet takes place on 14th February, most important days are 13rd, 14th, 15th, and 16th February.
Before Lunar New Year
Before Tet (Lunar New Year), we highly recommend visitors going to the Hoi An Flower Street, . Read more information & details
Cam Ha Kumquat Festival
Visit local markets such as Hoi An Central Market or Con Market when it’s most vibrant and most colorful during the year. Visitors will see a diversity of flowers, cakes, candies, decorative items, and much more, alongside with joyful, high-speed rush to prepare for their most important holiday. On the day of the Kitchen God ceremony (23rd day of the 12th lunar month), have the chance to see thousands of vibrant golden carp and ritualistic paper offerings filling every corner. It is the best time to witness the transition from daily life to spiritual preparation, as locals gathered in a festive rush purchase “divine transport” to send their household deities on their annual journey to heaven.
Markets before Tet are always crowded, therefore visitors should be aware of pickpockets.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Lunar New Year Eve (Giao Thua)
Visitors can expect to see a public countdown party in the Lunar New Year’s eve. It often takes place on the square of Hoi An Central Park.
Update: In Lunar New Year’s eve 2025 (28th Feb), the fireworks was launched at these spots: Bach Dang Walking Street (west bank), administrative center of Lien Chieu district (168 Nguyen Sinh Sac Street), center of Hoa Vang district.
In Lunar New Year’s eve 2026 (16th Feb), the fireworks was launched at these spots:
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
In Lunar New Year
In 2026, the official Tet holiday in Vietnam is from 14th to 22nd February 2026 (9 days). This is list of events:
Things to do in and around Hoi An throughout Tet (Lunar New Year):
+ sightsee historical places in Hoi An Old Town (UNESCO world heritage site): Japanese Bridge, Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall, Quan Cong Temple,… (old houses, museums will be closed until the end of the official Tet holiday)
Local businesses like restaurants, shops, cafes,… will close in the afternoon of the last day of the year and at least 3 more days then. We advise checking the opening days of the place in advance to save time (the best way is calling directly). Restaurants inside hotels or shopping malls or tourist areas, often open.
+ traditional festivals: Cau Bong Festival at Tra Que Vegetable Village on 6th and 7th day of the first lunar month, festival of Kim Bong Carpentry Village on the 10th and 11st day, boat race on the 12nd day, Lantern Festival in Hoi An’s Old Town on the 14th day, Nguyen Tieu Festival from the 10th to 16th day,…
+ Ba Na Hills, Golden Hands Bridge, Marble Mountains, Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra Mountain, Big Lady Buddha, My Khe Beach, Museum of Cham Sculpture, Da Nang Museum, Son Tra Night Market, Hai Van Pass, Mikazuki Water Park, Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park,…. (Vietnamese people will come to temples for praying during Tet, so all of them definitely open).
+ Nearby attractions:
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Travel Advices for Visitors Coming During Tet
– Book everything 3–4 months in advance: this is the most critical tip. Millions of Vietnamese travel home or take vacations. Flights, trains, and popular hotels in Da Nang (especially beachfront resorts) sell out months ahead. Don’t rely on last-minute bookings.
– Expect a “service surcharge” (20% – 50%): most restaurants and cafes that stay open during the 9-day holiday will add a “Tet Surcharge” to your bill. This helps them pay staff double or triple wages to work during the holiday. Don’t be surprised if prices for a bowl of Mi Quang or a taxi ride are higher than what you read online.
– Cash is king (ATMs run out): banks close for about a week, and ATMs often run out of cash due to high demand. Withdraw enough Vietnamese Dong (VND) for your entire Tet week before the holiday begins (ideally by February 14, 2026).
– Big attractions stay open, small shops close
+ open: Sun World Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains, and Son Tra Peninsula (Linh Ung Pagoda) generally remain open throughout Tet.
+ closed: Local family-run restaurants, street food stalls, and local markets (like Han Market or Con Market) usually close from Tet Eve to the 3rd day of the New Year.
– Avoid “the first visit”: Vietnamese believe the first person to enter a house in the New Year determines the family’s luck. Never enter a local home or a small shop on the morning of the 1st Day of Tet (February 17, 2026) unless you have been specifically invited by the owner.
– Dress in bright colors (avoid all-black/white): in Vietnamese culture, black and white are associated with funerals. To be respectful and blend into the festive mood, wear bright colors like red or yellow, which symbolize luck and prosperity.
– Watch the Dragon bridge fire show: during Tet, the city often schedules extra performances for the Dragon Bridge. Usually, it’s at 9:00 PM on weekends, but during the Tet week, it may happen nightly. It will be extremely crowded, so arrive at least 45 minutes early to get a spot.
– Don’t bargain aggressively: the first sales of the year are considered an omen for the merchant’s business. Bargaining too hard or walking away without buying after a long negotiation is considered “bad luck” for the shopkeeper. If you enter a shop, try to be polite and buy something small if you’ve taken up their time.
– Learn a simple greeting: a little effort goes a long way. Use these two phrases to instantly win over locals:
+ Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year!)
+ Vạn Sự Như Ý! (May everything go as you wish!)
Pro Tip: If you see children or staff at your hotel, giving a small “Lucky Money” red envelope (Li Xi) with a 20,000 or 50,000 VND note is a great way to participate in the tradition.
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Other Festivals & Cultural Events in Hoi An
Besides Tet (Lunar New Year), visitors can visit these festivals in Hoi An:
+ monthly festivals:
+ yearly festivals: First Full Moon Festival (Tet Nguyen Tieu), Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), Dragon Boat Festival (Tet Doan Ngo), Hung Kings Festival, Lunar New Year (Tet Festival, Tet Nguyen Dan), Hungry Ghost Festival, An Bang Beach Food & Music Festival, Cold Food Festival (Tet Han Thuc), Hoi An International Food Festival, Corn Festival, Long Chu Festival, the Buddha’s Birthday (Le Phat Dan), Vu Lan Festival, Balloon Festival, Cau Bong Festival, Cau Ngu Festival,…
HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers in Da Nang Vietnam. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Photos, Videos about Hoi An During Tet (Lunar New Year)
Here are photos, videos about Hoi An in Lunar New Year:
