{"id":5225,"date":"2023-11-30T16:49:25","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T09:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/compasstourist.com\/?p=5225"},"modified":"2023-12-11T14:20:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T07:20:23","slug":"should-i-travel-to-vietnam-during-tet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/compasstourist.com\/en\/should-i-travel-to-vietnam-during-tet\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I travel to Vietnam during Tet?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The whole country celebrates by gathering with loved ones to feast and make offerings to ring in the new year. If you\u2019re on a short holiday, travelling in Vietnam during T\u1ebft might not be ideal as the event does affect tourism. But, if you\u2019re travelling long term and aren\u2019t in a rush, celebrating Tet in the country is a great experience!<\/span><\/p>\n

T\u1ebft\u2026 what is it, when is it and where is it celebrated<\/span><\/h2>\n

T\u1ebft, shortened from T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n, is the most important holiday in Vietnam.\u00a0 It marks the arrival of spring, falling in the months of January and February.\u00a0 It is a time to forget about past troubles and hope for a better upcoming year.\u00a0 Since many people return home for the holiday, busy cities can become almost like ghost towns during the main day of celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

In short T\u1ebft is the Vietnamese welcoming of the new year celebrated throughout the country<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Traditionally it was a time to show respect for family and ancestors, past and present, and also to have a break between agricultural seasons. It\u2019s a very spiritual holiday, when people finish the current year\u2019s business and start the new year with good fortune and happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

This New Year ain\u2019t January 1st though\u2026<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

It changes every year and goes by the lunar calendar but is generally from mid-January to mid-February. This year (2024) it\u2019s on February 10th and the official national holiday runs for about a week afterwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, although T\u1ebft is officially the first day of the lunar year, the word <\/span>T\u1ebft<\/span><\/i> is also used to describe the whole celebratory period.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

How is T\u1ebft in Vietnam celebrated?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Across the country, the Vietnamese take a long break to celebrate the holiday. A typical Tet sees schools, businesses and hotels closed for at least a week but in some cases for a fortnight or even a whole month.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vietnamese travel to their home cities and villages to celebrate with loved ones and family. There, they will enjoy feasts in their homes which have been thoroughly cleaned in advance. Like a spring clean, essentially! Traditionally food specific to T\u1ebft is created, such as <\/span>b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng <\/span><\/i>(sticky rice cake),<\/span> gi\u00f2 l\u1ee5a<\/span><\/i> (Vietnamese sausage) and <\/span>d\u01b0a h\u00e0nh <\/span><\/i>(pickled onion). Eating is a major part of the Tet celebration, so foodies will love the festively-foodie atmosphere.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, homes are prepared with flowers traditionally associated with T\u1ebft in Vietnam, such as peach blossoms and yellow chrysanthemums. Many will purchase kumquat trees which flower a small, delicious fruit that looks and tastes like an orange.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nh\u1eefng<\/p>\n

Whilst the build up to T\u1ebft can be very manic, the days following are blissfully serene.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

When the holiday begins cities empty and families return to hometowns to spend time with relatives, friends and neighbours, feasting and celebrating together. The streets will be empty and in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that\u2019s really saying something. You can walk the city in peace though they have a very different feel without all of the beeping horns and scooter dodging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is it like to be in Vietnam for T\u1ebft holiday\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can in southern Vietnam two weeks before T\u1ebft if you have a lot of free time.\u00a0 Businesses are still open, markets are still very busy as everyone is doing their shopping, and flower markets are just opening.\u00a0 In Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City you can watch as the first festivities begin.\u00a0 People are already making the pilgrimage home and this has an impact on visiting the floating market of Cai Rang.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Hoi An and Hue you can see chrysanthemums everywhere. There are so many flowers for sale. It was during this time, one week before Tet, that you can begin to see many more Tet decorations, red envelopes, and flowers for sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then we can go to Hanoi for T\u1ebft. You can arrive by plane from Hue several days before T\u1ebft, giving you a few days to do some sightseeing before the city closes down. The four of you walk the streets of the Old Quarter, favourite sight being the shops lining the roads selling decorations for T\u1ebft. It feels like the few days right before Christmas when people are out buying last minute Christmas gifts. People are happy and smiling and Hanoi really feels alive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Khung<\/p>\n

Some interesting T\u1ebft traditions and customs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whilst Christmas and New Year may have moved away from their religious roots in the West, T\u1ebft has kept true to its history and the holiday period is filled with culture and tradition. There\u2019s a very obvious emphasis on tying up all loose ends from the previous year and starting the new year in the best way possible. It\u2019s quite a magical time filled with superstition, fortune and history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before T\u1ebft people clean their homes to get rid of bad luck, make sure they\u2019ve paid off all of their debts and resolve any outstanding arguments. People, especially children, will get new clothes to wear on the first day of the year and homes and streets are brightly decorated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kumquat trees and peach blossoms, both with important symbolic meaning in Vietnamese culture, are put in homes and businesses, again with the hope of bringing good wishes for the year to come. You\u2019ll see them all over the country either being displayed or being bought and sold from markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also see plenty of trays containing 5 fruits being taken to shrines and temples. The fruits vary regionally but all symbolise elements for a positive year. Many people wear red, similar to other Asian countries, as it\u2019s believed the colour brings good luck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"16<\/p>\n

One of our favourite aspects of T\u1ebft is Banh<\/i> chung<\/i>, or Tet cake<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A green leaf-wrapped square that you\u2019re sure to see being bought and sold everywhere. It\u2019s traditionally made together by the family and contains glutinous rice, mung beans and pork. To all you veggie travellers, Hanoi is a surprisingly good place for vegans and in many veggie restaurants or shops it\u2019s possible to buy a meat-free alternative which is absolutely delicious!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"G\u00f3i<\/p>\n

What to expect travelling in Vietnam during T\u1ebft<\/span><\/h2>\n

Travelling at this time of year will have a huge impact on your travels, so you need to plan accordingly. It\u2019s huge and happens across the whole country. Businesses will shut, attractions will close and everyone will be on the move either to their hometowns or on holiday. Whilst T\u1ebft is not necessarily a bad time of year to visit Vietnam, it\u2019s important to know what you\u2019re going up against.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transport during T\u1ebft<\/span><\/h3>\n

There will be a mass exodus of people leaving cities just before T\u1ebft so roads will be like clogged arteries. Short journeys can take all day and longer journeys should perhaps be avoided unless you like sleeping on the road. Routes coming away from big cities like HCMC or Hanoi will be particularly rammed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Vietnamese will use public transport so it means you\u2019ll need to book all transport tickets far in advance.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Buses, planes and trains will be booked long before the holiday so make sure you\u2019re organised and book your tickets early.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being so busy, <\/span>expect delays on all forms of transport and big price increases<\/b>. If you have a flight to catch then make an ample time to get to the airport because there will be traffic!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Once T\u1ebft arrives, transport will be available but limited. It won\u2019t be busy as most Vietnamese are tucked up at home with their families but expect high prices and unreliable times and schedules (if they\u2019re running at all). Contact companies before and don\u2019t be surprised if they make up the price in front of you.<\/span><\/p>\n

After T\u1ebft traffic is not so bad as people will return to the cities gradually rather than the whole country at once. Smaller transport companies will slowly get back to regular schedules. But it will take at least a week before it\u2019s completely back to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transport tips during T\u1ebft<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n