Celebrate New Year in Vietnam: Tet Festival and Highlights 2026

New Year in Vietnam isn’t like what you may have seen around you — it’s different, vibrant, and extravagant. The festive events are at an all-time high, with fireworks, great food, exclusive places to visit, and so much more, making it a perfect destination when exploring Christmas and New Year Trip Packages .

You can party like there’s no tomorrow and each activity will surprise you. So, do you wish to experience the beauty of Vietnam during the New Year? All you need to do is book one of the best Vietnam tour packages and dive into exciting celebrations in the country.

From restaurant hopping to partying by the beaches, make sure that you leave no stone unturned while enjoying Vietnam New Year. Let’s explore the top things to do for New Year in Vietnam.

Western New Year vs. Lunar New Year in Vietnam

Western New Year (January 1st)

Western New Year in Vietnam is fun, lively, and modern. Cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang light up with countdown concerts, fireworks, street parties, and rooftop celebrations.

It feels similar to global New Year culture, music, nightlife, gatherings with friends, and public festivities, but on a smaller scale compared to Tet. Most locals treat it as a casual holiday, not a major cultural event.

Lunar New Year in Vietnam – Tet Nguyen Dan (Late January or February)

Tet is Vietnam’s biggest and most important festival. It’s equivalent to Christmas + New Year + Diwali combined. Streets are decorated with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and lanterns.

Families clean their homes, prepare traditional food, visit temples, and return to their hometowns. Many shops close for a few days, but the cultural richness is incredible, dragon dances, rituals, lucky money (li xi), traditional outfits, and ceremonies for ancestors.

Top Things to Do for New Year in Vietnam

There’s nothing better than a New Year Party in Vietnam. You’d feel as if your vacation was a huge success. But many people ponder about where to celebrate New Year in Vietnam.

Here are the best things to do for New Year in Vietnam:

1. Take Part in Countdown Parties

Countdown parties are like great festive events in Vietnam, and they are held across different locations. A number of restaurants and bars such as Furama, Pullman, Holiday Beach, and more host these events for friends and family. You can interact with the locals, make friends, and enjoy the local cuisine for New Year in Vietnam.

If you don’t want to be in any of the parties, you can just visit 29/3 Square or 2/9t Street to take a break and celebrate New Year in Vietnam in peace. Numerous countdown concerts are also held allowing people the perfect opportunity to go crazy.

• Timing: Evening to Midnight
• Key Highlight: Fireworks and live performances
• Duration: 4-6 hours

2. Experience the Tet Festival in Vietnam

The best way to enjoy New Year in Vietnam is to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can join the Tet Festival in Vietnam (Lunar New Year in Vietnam) held at Tao Dan Park, where the atmosphere comes alive with traditional performances and community celebrations. You can also chat with locals to find out the best time and spot to witness Tet Nguyen Dan festivities or the vibrant parade.

At the Vietnamese Tet Festival, you’ll get to enjoy lion dance performances, bell ringing, drums, and gongs, each symbolizing luck and positivity for the coming year.

Most locals dress in shades of yellow and red, representing prosperity and success during the Vietnam New Year celebration. You can join in by wearing these colours too. And of course, don’t miss the delicious traditional Vietnamese food dishes like Thit Ga (steamed chicken), Gio Cha (Vietnamese sausage), Xoi (sticky rice), and more.

• Date for Lunar New Year in Vietnam 2026: Tue, 17 Feb, 2026
• Key Highlight: Traditional rituals and food
• Duration: Multiple days

3. Enjoy a Cruise Ride at Ha Long Bay

An excellent place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay invites numerous cruise rides throughout the year. Hop on to one of those overnight cruises where you can watch the fireworks of Vietnam. The tall cliffs with surrounding emerald green waters are the perfect place to start your new year in Vietnam.

The cruises hold numerous live music performances that go well with the perfect atmosphere and are one of the major Vietnam New Year activities. The best part of the New Year Eve’s cruise ride on Ha Long Bay is the sunrise. During the early hours of the day, you can watch the beautiful sunrise and hold lovable memories that you’ll hold dear for the years to come.

• Timing: Morning to late afternoon
• Key Highlight: Scenic limestone karsts and caves
• Duration: Overnight

4. Relax at Da Nang

Da Nang takes the spot of being the best place to celebrate New Year in Vietnam, especially for people who just want to relax. You can take part in the live music performances that are held along the waterfront. One of the major New Year attractions at Da Nang is the unique fireworks show at the Dragon Bridge.

Da Nang holds a treasure trove for everyone who wishes to explore the place a little more during Christmas and New Year in Vietnam. The local specialties at Da Nang are especially something you wouldn’t want to miss out on. If you want to be by yourself, you can just rest by the beach or visit some of the major historical attractions.

• Timing: Anytime
• Key Highlight: Tranquil beaches and Marble Mountains
• Duration: Flexible

5. Hoi An Lantern Festival

Although the Hoi An Lantern Festival is a sort of monthly event, the beauty of it is beyond words during the festive season. For a magical and fairytale-like experience of your lifetime, you must visit Hoi An to witness the golden lanterns lighting up the sky. It is indeed one of the best things to do in Vietnam for New Year.

You can take part in the Hoi An Lantern Festival and release these bright lanterns into the night sky. The lanterns light up the skies and illuminate the street during New Year in Vietnam. To witness the beauty more, you can take a boat and float across the Thu Bon River.

Furthermore, during the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you can take part in numerous traditional games. Releasing the lanterns during New Year's Eve in Vietnam is said to be a wish of welcoming good luck in the coming year.

• Timing: Evening to midnight
• Key Highlight: Floating lanterns and cultural performances
• Duration: 3-5 hours

6. Witness the Vibrant Nha Trang Beach Party

Let loose your adventurous side as you take part in the Nha Trang Beach party. Known for its vibrant and complete party-freak lifestyle, there's just too much to experience at Nha Trang. Throughout the festive season, from Christmas to New Year in Vietnam, different beach parties are held across Nha Trang that you can be a part of.

Multiple stages are installed across Nha Trang, hosting live shows, band performances, and DJs. There are beach clubs and resorts along the coastline organizing numerous events. Several fire shows are also held by the shoreline.

Special foam parties are held by the beach which is quite adventurous. Behold the sight of the beautiful fireworks that light up the skies of Nha Trang as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve in Vietnam.

• Timing: Evening to late night
• Key Highlight: Beachside celebrations and music
• Duration: 4-6 hours

7. Get the Authentic Homestay Experience at Sapa

Now take a break amidst the nature of Vietnam as you relax at the homestays in Sapa. In the early morning hours of Vietnam New Year, you can go trekking along the trails of Sapa, watching the beautiful terraced rice fields growing along the side. Your local guide can help you indulge in the traditions and culture of the people at Sapa.

Sapa houses the beautiful landscapes of the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, making up for the breathtaking views. Finish your hike with a heightened knowledge of the local customs of Vietnam. Staying in a homestay means you get to enjoy the local culture of preparing rice wine, festival meals, and playing traditional games with your loved ones.

• Timing: Day and night
• Key Highlight: Local culture and scenic rice terraces
• Duration: 1-2 days

8. Cruise Along the Mekong Delta

Welcome your Vietnamese New Year with peace as you float across the silent Mekong Delta. Hailed as one of the most quiet adventure activities in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta cruise allows you to experience the life around you in peace. As you experience the daily wonders and rhythms of nature, you’d be surprised to find out this delightful experience.

Floating alongside the Mekong Delta, you’d also get to witness the very famous floating markets in Vietnam. The Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the most popular floating markets here. It has boats carrying vibrant fruits, vegetables, and different products. Every shop has its unique offerings and has samples hoisted for the visitors to see and make their purchases.

• Timing: Morning to early afternoon
• Key Highlight: Traditional floating markets and scenic canals
• Duration: 4-6 hours

9. Go for a Coconut Basket Ride in Hoi An

After a great party on New Year’s Eve, you’d definitely want to relax the other day. But wouldn’t it be fun to add a bit of adventure to it? That’s right, you can get it all in Hoi An. Put on your comfortable clothes and head out for a fun boat ride in Hoi An.

The coconut basket ride is indeed one of the most fun and unique experiences of the New Year in Vietnam. You’d have to visit the interior villages a bit, such as the Bay Mau Coconut Forest or Cam Thanh Coconut Village to enjoy the coconut basket ride.

These forests have round coconut boats also known as Thung Chai or basket boats. They are known for a wide range of activities such as fishing with traditional nets or even crab catching.

• Timing: Morning or late afternoon
• Key Highlight: Unique ride through coconut forests
• Duration: 1-2 hours

10. Go for a Hike at Cat Ba Islands

Kickstart your new year in Vietnam with a fun activity as you hike through the Cat Ba Islands. Cat Ba Islands is very popular among adventure seekers and tourists. There are several hiking trails that you can explore and eventually witness the natural beauty that Vietnam has to offer.

Once you’re done hiking to the top, you can participate in some other activities too. Well, for these activities you’ll have to come down to the islands’ beach wherein you can go snorkeling, kayaking, swimming and more. Make sure to complete it all before the evening so that during the night you can just lie down by the beach and praise the beauty.

• Timing: Early morning or late afternoon
• Key Highlight: Stunning views of Lan Ha Bay and diverse wildlife
• Duration: 3-6 hours

11. Visit Ba Na Hills

What can be a more fun way for Vietnam New Year Celebration than to visit an amusement park? That’s what you’ll get to explore once you visit the very prominent Ba Na Hills.

Ba Na Hills is the home to an abundant source of entertainment wherein you can explore numerous adventure-thrilling rides and entertainment. You can book your Ba Na Hills tour, one of the top destinations in Vietnamese New Year and witness all the grandeur at once.

Drive to the top of Ba Na Hills known as the Sun World. Here, you can indulge in a wide range of activities and then witness one of the most romantic spots in Vietnam, the Golden Bridge. At Sun World, you will get a view of numerous Buddha sculptures and statues.

There’s a nearby stone village that has a wide range of architectural relics from the French colonial era. However, it is going to be crowded due to New Year celebrations so you will have to generally wait longer than usual.

• Timing: Morning to evening
• Key Highlight: Golden Bridge and panoramic mountain views
• Duration: 4-6 hours

12. Take a Trip to the Theme Parks

New Year is indeed one of the best times to visit the theme parks. This will be the perfect visit if you have kids around with you. Vietnam is home to numerous theme parks such as Dam Sen, VinPearl, and more. If you’re visiting these theme parks during New Year in Vietnam, you can enjoy various recreational activities.

During the New Year, these theme parks host discounts and offers that ensure that you can enjoy a wide range of activities and great foods at affordable rates. In fact, during New Year and Tet, these theme parks also host many parades and performances for the people. You can also visit this place during the Tet holiday in Vietnam.

• Timing: Morning to evening
• Key Highlight: Thrilling rides and family-friendly attractions
• Duration: 6-8 hours

13. Dine at Jackson’s Steakhouse

Your New Year in Vietnam is incomplete if you haven’t tried the very juicy and delicious steaks at Jackson’s Steakhouse. If you’re a big-time foodie, you’re going to love your time at Jackson’s Steakhouse. They’re renowned for selling one of the best steaks in Vietnam.

As one of the most popular restaurants in Vietnam, Jackson’s Steakhouse prepares a special three-course meal for New Year celebrations. Your treat in Vietnam is something you’ll remember forever. They offer vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delights with some fresh brews which will leave your tummy tickling for long.

During New Year, the place is going to be very crowded. Therefore, one of the best things to do would be to book your table in advance so that you don’t miss out on it.

• Timing: Evening
• Key Highlight: Premium steaks and fine dining experience
• Duration: 1-2 hours

14. Take a Trip to Phu Quoc Islands

Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam and a complete tropical paradise. It’s the perfect destination for celebrating New Year in Vietnam. There is a wide range of luxury resorts located around the beach wherein you can enjoy delicious dinners, parties, and more.

The parties for Vietnam New Year are specially hosted during the evening with sunset cocktails and more. Furthermore, you can also enjoy some international buffets featuring cuisine from across the world and some local varieties.

• As the night proceeds, these resorts also hold cultural performances and live bands for a cozy midnight welcome. As the clock strikes midnight, you can release the floating lanterns and visit the beach for fireworks.
• Timing: Flexible
• Key Highlight: Pristine beaches and vibrant night markets
• Duration: 1-3 days

Why Choose WanderOn for Your Vietnam New Year Celebration

WanderOn brings a warm, festive charm to Vietnam’s New Year season, offering trips that feel personalised and meaningful rather than generic.

• Season-ready itineraries: Our plans are designed around Vietnam’s unique New Year vibe, whether it’s the lively Western New Year parties or the deeply cultural Tet celebrations.
• A wide range of experiences: From lantern-lit streets and bustling night markets to riverside fireworks, historic towns, beaches, and traditional Tet preparations, our trips showcase the very best of Vietnam during New Year.
• Ideal for group travellers: Whether you’re a solo explorer or someone who loves meeting new people, our friendly travel groups make it easy to bond, celebrate, and share unforgettable moments.
• Experiences at the centre: Instead of rushing through attractions, our itineraries focus on immersive moments, think food walks, cultural rituals, local festive traditions, and colourful New Year festivities across Vietnam.
• Upfront and simple pricing: Every trip clearly mentions its inclusions, options, and duration so you can plan your holiday without any confusion.
• Festive highlights included: From New Year countdown events and fireworks to Tet markets, cultural performances, and local traditions, we ensure your Vietnam New Year celebration feels truly special.
• Comfort all the way: Handpicked stays, easy transport, and supportive trip leaders make your journey smooth and stress-free.
• Options for every budget: Whether you’re looking for an affordable celebration or a premium festive getaway, we have a trip that fits your travel style.
• Support at every step: Our team guides you in choosing the perfect year-end or Tet itinerary, ensuring your New Year in Vietnam becomes a memorable, joyful, and culturally rich experience.

Final Countdown

As the final seconds of the year tick away, Vietnam transforms into a vibrant mix of tradition, celebration, and pure excitement. Whether you’re standing by the riverside watching fireworks burst over the skyline, strolling through lantern-lit streets, or soaking in the festive chaos of Tet markets, New Year in Vietnam feels nothing less than magical.

It’s a moment where ancient customs meet modern celebrations, where families gather, streets glow, and the air buzzes with hope. So if you’re dreaming of a New Year that blends culture, colour, and unforgettable memories, Vietnam is exactly where you need to be. Here’s to new beginnings the Vietnamese way!