Are you planning your next vacation and wondering where to go? Look no further! Vietnam packages from India are your ticket to a world of vibrant culture, jaw-dropping landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
One of the most fascinating things to do in Vietnam is to immerse yourself in the country's rich tapestry of festivals. Yes, you heard it right! Festivals in Vietnam are not just events; they are the soul of the nation and a spectacle that should be on your list of places to visit in Vietnam.
From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil waters of Halong Bay, Vietnamese festivals offer a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and fun. These festivals captivate not just the locals but also travellers from around the world.
Dive into this blog to explore the colour, music, and flavours that make festivals in Vietnam a must experience phenomenon. So, if you're curious about how Vietnamese festivals can turn your holiday into a lifelong memory, read on!
vietnam tour packages 2025
Vietnam’s Cultural Festivals
1. Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) – A Fresh Start for Vietnam
Tet Nguyen Dan, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in Vietnam. It’s all about celebrating the start of spring, spending time with family, and hoping for a lucky, prosperous year. Families clean their homes, decorate with flowers like peach blossoms, and make special dishes like sticky rice cakes.
People also give lucky money to children in red envelopes. Expect lively dragon dances, fireworks, and tons of food. If you visit, be ready for big crowds, as Tet festivals in Vietnam are always packed with excitement and joy!
- When: Late January - Early February
- Where: Nationwide, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
2. Hung King Festival – Honoring Vietnam's First Kings
The Hung King Festival is a national festival in Vietnam that celebrates the country's origins. It honors the Hung Kings, who are believed to be the founders of the first Vietnamese kingdom, Văn Lang. On the 10th day of the festival, millions of people make a pilgrimage to the Hung Temple in Phú Thọ to offer prayers and incense.
It's a time to remember the past and unite as a nation. Fun activities like folk games and cultural performances make it even more exciting. If you’re in Vietnam for travel tips, be sure to visit the temple to experience this important Vietnamese festival. The festival is a way for everyone to remember their roots and celebrate unity.
- When: 1st - 10th day of the 3rd lunar month (April 7th in 2025)
- Where: Phú Thọ Province
3. Hue Festival – A Royal Celebration of Vietnam's Culture
Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is a treasure trove of traditional festivals in Vietnam. The Hue Festival is a major event that happens every two years, drawing people from all over the world. The festival celebrates the culture and history of the Nguyen Dynasty, featuring royal court music, folk dances, and international performances. A big highlight is the Nam Giao Offering Ritual, a sacred ceremony at the Nam Giao Esplanade.
If you're lucky enough to visit, you'll also enjoy the boat races on the Perfume River and the vibrant Ao Dai Fashion Show. Don’t miss out on the food festivals, where you can taste Hue’s famous dishes. Whether you’re visiting for cultural immersion or fun, Hue festivals offer a unique glimpse into Vietnam's royal past.
- When: Biennial (Next one in 2024)
- Where: Hue City
4. Reunification Day (April 30th) – Vietnam’s Victory Day
Reunification Day, also known as Victory Day or Liberation Day, is one of the most important national holidays in Vietnamese festivals. This day marks the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 when North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), leading to the reunification of the North and South. It’s a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by the Vietnamese people and celebrate the country’s unity and resilience.
The celebrations are filled with military parades, cultural performances, and fireworks displays. The streets are decorated with Vietnamese flags, and many people gather to share family meals and reflect on the historical significance of the day. By visiting Vietnam during this time you can witness the rich cultural atmosphere and engage with locals about the day's meaning. Be sure to book accommodations early and respect the local customs, as this is a solemn occasion for many.
- When: April 30th
- Where: Nationwide, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
5. Vietnam Independence Day (September 2nd): Ngày Quốc Khánh
Vietnam Independence Day, celebrated on September 2nd every year, marks a pivotal moment in the nation's history. This day commemorates Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence in 1945, which ended French colonial rule and Japan's occupation of Vietnam.
It’s a day to honour the struggle for freedom and celebrate the nation's unity. You'll see patriotic flags everywhere, fireworks light up the night sky, and cities host parades and cultural performances. Vietnamese families often gather for meals, reflecting on their heritage. If you visit during this time, plan ahead for accommodations, as the cities can be quite crowded!
The Lim Festival, held in Bac Ninh Province on the 12th and 13th days of the first lunar month, celebrates Quan Ho folk singing. This UNESCO-recognised tradition features beautiful duets between male and female singers, dressed in traditional costumes, performing love songs.
It’s not only a festival of music but also one of games like wrestling, martial arts, and even cockfighting! People gather in Lim Hill and the surrounding areas, offering prayers and honouring the ancestors. For a glimpse into Vietnam’s deep cultural roots, this vibrant festival is a must-see.
- When: 12th and 13th days of the first lunar month (typically February or March)
- Where: Bac Ninh Province, especially in Lim Hill, Lim Town, and villages along the Tiêu Tương River
Religious & Spiritual Festivals
7. Perfume Pagoda Festival – A Spiritual Boat Ride
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is one of the most spiritual festivals in Vietnam. It's a peaceful, beautiful celebration held in the mountains near Hanoi. Locals and tourists alike take boat rides along the Yen Stream, surrounded by lush greenery, to visit ancient temples in Vietnam.
People honour Buddha and seek blessings for the year ahead. It's a great experience for anyone seeking a blend of nature, culture, and tranquillity. This festival will show you how to enjoy the Vietnamese festivals in a calm and beautiful setting.
- When: February - March
- Where: Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi
Buddha's Birthday is an important spiritual event for Vietnamese Buddhists, celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. It marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This celebration brings people together for chanting ceremonies, lantern releases, and acts of kindness, like donating food and blood.
Temples across Vietnam are beautifully decorated, and you'll find many lanterns floating on rivers at places like Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi. Visitors can experience a peaceful atmosphere, while locals reflect on the Buddha's teachings of compassion, peace, and spiritual purity.
- When: 15th day of the fourth lunar month (usually April or May)
- Where: Celebrated at temples nationwide, notably in Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh, and Da Nang
Wandering Souls Day (also known as the Ghost Festival) is an important spiritual festival observed on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It focuses on honoring ancestors, remembering the deceased, and showing respect to the wandering spirits who may have no family to care for them.
The festival also emphasizes the value of filial piety by honoring parents and offering gratitude. Common traditions include making offerings at altars, burning votive paper, and releasing lanterns on rivers to guide spirits to peace. In places like Hoi An, you can see beautiful lanterns floating on the river as part of the festival’s unique atmosphere.
- When: 15th day of the seventh lunar month (typically late August or early September)
- Where: Nationwide, especially in cities like Hoi An and Hue
The Phu Giay Festival celebrates Mother Saint Lieu Hanh, one of Vietnam’s revered "four immortal deities" and an important figure in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess belief. Held annually from the 1st to the 10th day of the third lunar month, this festival includes colorful processions, rituals, and cultural activities.
One of the key highlights is the torch relay, symbolizing the light of faith, where thousands of torches are lit in honor of the deity. Visitors also enjoy traditional games, music performances, and the "Hoa Truong Hoi" Ceremony. The festival has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage for its cultural and spiritual significance.
- When: 1st to 10th day of the third lunar month
- Where: Phu Giay Temple, Kim Thai Commune, Vu Ban District, Nam Dinh Province (about 55 km from Hanoi)
11. Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival)
Tết Hàn Thực, or the Cold Food Festival, is celebrated on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month in Vietnam. Families prepare bánh trôi and bánh chay—traditional sticky rice cakes—as offerings to honor their ancestors. Though rooted in Chinese legend, the Vietnamese version focuses more on remembrance and family bonding than avoiding fire. While not a public holiday, this meaningful tradition strengthens cultural heritage and teaches values like respect, loyalty, and filial piety across generations.
- When: Tết Hàn Thực is celebrated on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month each year. In 2025, it falls on Monday, March 31st.
- Where: The festival is observed across Vietnam, especially in northern regions like Hanoi, where traditional customs and ancestor worship are more actively practiced.
Family & Seasonal Festivals
Want to take your family to experience the Vietnam festivals in 2025, then here are few of the festivals in Vietnam which you must visit:
The Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) is one of Vietnam’s most beloved and vibrant festivals, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Traditionally, it marks the autumn harvest and is an occasion for family reunions and cultural preservation. Often referred to as the Children’s Festival, Tết Trung Thu is a time for children to participate in lantern parades, lion dances, and enjoy mooncakes (Bánh Trung Thu). The full moon symbolizes family unity, and this festival offers a chance to express gratitude to ancestors and loved ones.
- When: 15th day of the eighth lunar month (In 2025, October 6th)
- Where: Nationwide, with significant celebrations in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An
13. Hoi An Lantern Festival
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a captivating monthly event held in the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of Hoi An. The festival transforms the town into a mesmerizing sight with thousands of colorful lanterns lighting up the streets and the Thu Bon River. Rooted in Buddhist customs, it signifies letting go of worries, inviting good fortune, and honoring ancestors.
- When: 14th day of every lunar month (Main celebrations from sunset until around 10:00 PM)
- Where: Hoi An's Ancient Town, especially along the Thu Bon River, Japanese Covered Bridge, Cau An Hoi Bridge, and Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu streets
Modern & Global Celebrations
Vietnamese festival is not only about the traditions, here are some of the modern and global celebrations which you can experience during your Vietnam trip:
Halloween in Vietnam is celebrated on October 31st in urban areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. While not a traditional Vietnamese holiday, it has gained popularity, especially among younger generations. Major events include costume parties, themed activities, and decorations in places like Hang Ma Street and Bui Vien Street. Though trick-or-treating is limited, expatriates and international schools host fun events. Halloween in Vietnam blends Western traditions with local culture, offering a unique festive experience.
- When: October 31st (celebrated annually)
- Where: Major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, with increasing celebrations in other locations such as Hue, Hoi An, and VinWonders amusement parks across the country.
