Vietnamese New Year Holidays in Vietnam

A five-day paid public holiday

Vietnam’s Labor Code grants employees five days off with full pay for the Lunar New Year. The Prime Minister decides the specific dates each year. When a holiday falls on an employee’s weekly rest day, the law provides a compensatory day off on the next working day. Foreign employees working in Vietnam also receive an additional day for their own traditional New Year and one for their national day.[1]

The five statutory days do not necessarily equal the full break people take: weekends and the annual schedule can extend time away from work. Public offices follow the applicable holiday schedule, while private businesses set their own operating arrangements. Check specific opening hours before making plans.[1][2]

A new year and a family reunion

Tet marks the first day of the Lunar New Year and, in northern Vietnam, the beginning of spring. Vietnam’s national tourism authority traces the celebration to early settlements in the Red River Delta, where it marked a new cycle of wet-rice cultivation. Today it is associated with a hopeful fresh start and time with family and loved ones.[2]

Families gather and honor their ancestors, reflecting the importance of remembering one’s roots in Vietnamese tradition. A Government of Vietnam article describes families bringing offerings to worship elders and ancestors, as well as visiting relatives, neighbors and friends to exchange New Year’s greetings.[2][3]

Rituals, visits and seasonal food

Preparations begin before the holiday: people clean and decorate homes, buy flowers, cook special dishes and make visits to family graves. The tourism authority describes kumquat trees and peach blossoms as common decorations, alongside red envelopes of lucky money given by elders to younger relatives.[2]

Bánh chưng, a square sticky-rice cake, is a well-known Tet food; bánh tét is a cylindrical version. Recipes and holiday meals vary by region and family. The tourism authority describes bánh chưng and boiled chicken among northern dishes, and caramelized pork and bitter-melon soup among southern examples. Families also prepare meals and sweets to share with guests.[2]

The first day is commonly reserved for close family, with visits to friends and relatives following. In some Vietnamese families, the first person to enter the home in the new year is chosen in advance because the visit is believed to influence the year ahead. These customs are not universal, and practices differ among households and regions.[2]

What visitors may notice

Many people return to their hometowns for Tet, creating strong demand for bus, train and plane tickets and hotel rooms. The national tourism authority advises travelers to plan transport and accommodation early. Businesses and restaurants often close for at least the first few days while staff are with their families, so dining and shopping options may be limited; closures vary by business.[2]

Tet is also marked in public spaces. The tourism authority describes flower displays in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and notes that major cities may hold organized events. Visitors can enjoy quieter streets in some places, but should check local transport, attraction and business hours before setting out.[2]