Top Vietnam Destinations to Visit on Lunar New Year
Meta Description: Tet holiday is just around the corner. Planning to have sweet Tet memories in Vietnam? Here are the top Vietnam destinations to visit on Lunar New Year.
The lunar new year holiday – Tet, in Vietnamese culture, is comparable to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year combined in one. It is the biggest holiday in the country. Planning to spend your trip to Vietnam in Tet? This guide will help you out. Here you can find top Vietnam destinations to visit on Lunar New Year.
What Is Tet?
Vietnamese New Year or Lunar New Year is known as Tet, or Tet Nguyen Dan. It is a celebration for spring and upcoming year, which starts from the beginning of the year according to the Chinese calendar.
On the Gregorian calendar, Tet normally falls between the end of January and the middle of February. As it is the biggest holiday in a year, Vietnamese people tend to return home and spend the holiday with their families and friends.
Even though Tet refers to the first 3 days of the lunar year, the prep works take one or two weeks before. People celebrate Tet to forget the past troubles and head to new hopes in the upcoming year.
What to expect in Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Busy Market Before Tet
Two weeks before Tet, the streets and local markets are even busier than usual. You will love to see people carrying kumquat trees, peach blossom trees, and flowers on the back of their motorbikes.
It is ideal to go out these days to enjoy the festivities, buy some Tet decorations to hang in your hotel room, and put some “lucky money” in red envelopes.
ABBA music everywhere
You may hear ABBA’s Happy New Year over and over again in many houses, hotels, restaurants, and shops during these days. Weird? We think it’s fun. The ambiance is then very retro, still quite holiday-feeling at the same time.
Quiet streets in 2 days of Tet
As most people come back to their hometown to spend the holidays, Hanoi becomes very quiet. Still, many restaurants remain open during Tet. After wandering through the quiet city, you can still find a good meal.
Top Vietnam Destinations to Visit on Lunar New Year
Hanoi
It is great to spend your time visiting Hanoi during Tet holiday. One week before Tet, Hanoi becomes very busy and festive. Streets look vibrant and markets are full of foods and produce.
You can walk around the Old Quarter, especially Hang Ma Street to enjoy the festive atmosphere in anticipation of Tet. You will also love to wander your feet around Hoan Kiem Lake and watch fireworks in New Year’s Eve.
In the two days of Tet, the whole city seems to sleep. But you will definitely like the comfortable weather and quiet atmosphere. It’s an ideal time to relax and pay yourself a retreat.
Sapa
Sapa is known for the mountainous landscapes and cultural diversity. If you feel like totally immersed into the local traditions in Tet, Sapa is then a perfect choice.
People in rural areas celebrate Tet in a different way. They have their own local foods during Tet and it’s amazing to try them.
The highlight of Tet in Sapa is always the market. They have markets for foods, local produce, and even for love. Young people come to the love market, make friends, play traditional games, and most importantly, look for their other half.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a beach heaven. If you fancy spending your Tet under the sun and calm beach, go to Nha Trang.
This city is also full of luxurious hotels, spas, and resorts. It is suitable for a retreat while still being able to enjoy the local celebration of Lunar New Year.
The urban atmosphere, white-sand beaches, greeny islands, adrenaline-rushing activities, you have them all in Nha Trang. Many restaurants open during Tet holiday here, so there should not be any worry about finding a place to eat.
Hue
Hue is the historic capital of Vietnam, which lays next to a majestic river – Song Huong. It is a small city, yet its complex history has earned a lot of reputation and recognition.
The area is most known for the Citadel, where you can learn a great deal about Vietnamese history and culture. The complex of tombs, pagodas, and palaces in Hue has been recognized and protected by UNESCO.
Hue is a perfect place to throw yourself in a vintage ambiance. There are so many cultural and historical stories here about the struggles and wars that Vietnamese people have been through.
Hoi An
Yellow houses in bougainvillea, vintage shops selling silk, lanterns, fantastic Banh Mi, there are a whole lot more things you can experience when visiting Hoi An.
Especially during Tet holiday, Hoi An will become more festive and colorful.
Hoi An is a riverside old town, it looks like a picture postcard of a Vietnamese country town. UNESCO has preserved the beauty of its unique mix in the architecture.
Visiting Hoi An, some highlights in your trip may include a cooking class, boat trip, floating market, food tour, spa, and beach activities.
Ho Chi Minh City
The city of motorbikes, the busiest city of Vietnam – Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City is another option for the list of Vietnam destinations to visit on Lunar New Year. This city has basically everything for you to learn about Vietnam. Museums, parks, local restaurants, beer streets, you will love them all.
During Tet Holiday, Ho Chi Minh City is still hot and humid. But most of the daytime will be sunny, which is perfect to go out and celebrate. People are excited to dress up these days and you will love seeing the crowds in colorful traditional clothes.
Above are the top 6 places to go during the Tet holiday in Vietnam. Spending your time here is a beautiful experience to learn and enjoy Vietnamese cultural highlights.
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