15 Best Experiences to Celebrate the New Year in Vietnam

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 New Year in Vietnam. Let’s explore the top things to do for New Year in Vietnam. 

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

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

The locals usually dress in yellow and red signifying prosperity and success for New Year celebrations in Vietnam. If you become one of them, you can dress up in these colors too. Moreover, you must not miss out on trying delicious traditional Vietnamese cuisine items like Thit Ga (steamed chicken), Giio Cha (Vietnamese sausages), Xiao (sticky rice), and more. 

• Timing: All-day celebration
• Key Highlight: Traditional rituals and food
• Duration: Multiple days

3. Enjoy a Cruise Ride at Ha Long Bay

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. Watch a Show at the Hilton Hanoi Opera

At the Hilton Hanoi Opera, you can grab your hands on unlimited foods and drinks, especially beer for the celebration of New Year in Vietnam. As you get to enjoy the delicious traditional Vietnamese food, make sure to relish it all. The dinner and opera show is definitely the highlight of the event. 

• Timing: Evening shows
• Key Highlight: Traditional Vietnamese performances
• Duration: 2-3 hours

5. Relax at Da Nang

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

6. Hoi An Lantern Festival

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 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

Read More: Best Spots for Kayaking in Vietnam

7. Witness the Vibrant Nha Trang Beach Party

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 light up the skies of Nha Trang as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. 

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

Read More: Exploring Top 25 Things to Do in Nha Trang

8. Get the Authentic Homestay Experience 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

Read More: Trekking in Vietnam To Unleash The Adventure

9. Cruise Along the Mekong Delta

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

10. Go for a Coconut Basket 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

11. Go for a Hike at Cat Ba Islands

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

12. Visit 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 Vietnam for 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

13. Take a Trip to the Theme Parks

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

14. Dine at Jackson’s Steakhouse

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

15. Take a Trip to Phu Quoc Islands

The parties for New Year in Vietnam 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

Conclusion

There are too many things to do in Vietnam during the New Year. Visiting Vietnam in the New Year is probably one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’re visiting alone or with your family, make sure that you book the best Vietnam New Year travel packages. 

The influence of Western traditions and local culture can be seen in the beauty of celebrations here. So, you must ensure that you absorb the beauty of every place. Ring in the New Year in Vietnam the right way with a fun and one-of-a-kind trip.