Travelling in Vietnam during Tết: What to Expect

Travelling in Vietnam during Tết (Lunar New Year) means experiencing empty city streets, closed family shops, and fully booked transport. It is not a standard sightseeing holiday, but a major cultural shift. Most museums, temples, and local restaurants close for at least three to five days. If you seek active sightseeing, this is a difficult time to visit. However, if you want to see quiet cities like Hà Nội and TP. Hồ Chí Minh without traffic, it offers a rare perspective.

Major tourist attractions like the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội usually close for the first three days of the lunar calendar. This includes the Reunification Palace in TP. Hồ Chí Minh. Local wet markets close entirely, but modern supermarkets often reopen on the second or third day of the new year. In beach destinations like Mũi Né or Phú Quốc, international resorts and western-style restaurants remain open. However, local street food stalls will be hard to find in smaller towns.

Transport is the biggest challenge when travelling in Vietnam during Tết. Trains, buses, and domestic flights book out weeks in advance as millions of Vietnamese travel home. Ticket prices rise, sometimes doubling the usual rate. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab operate with fewer active drivers, leading to higher fares and longer wait times. If you must travel between cities, secure your transport tickets at least two months early or ask a Trip2VN specialist for assistance.

Food and service costs increase during the holiday. Many open restaurants apply a holiday surcharge of 15% to 30% to cover higher staff wages. Hotel rates in popular spots like Hội An, Đà Nẵng, or Đà Lạt may rise. Rooms start from $50 (approximate) per night for basic mid-range hotels. To manage your budget, confirm prices before ordering food. Planning your meals in advance at hotel restaurants is a safe way to avoid closed local venues.