The holidays of the year are always occasions for people to travel with their loved ones and family, take photos, and save memories together. Let’s review the article to see what traditional festivals and celebrations in Vietnam and which dates will be closed according to the state regulations below.
New Year
New Year’s Eve is celebrated on the first day of the year according to the solar calendar, that is, on January 1 every year.
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On this day, many parts of the world will hold fireworks on the 30th night and have a holiday at the beginning of the new year with family. In Vietnam, employees and officials will also have 1 day off at the beginning of the year to celebrate the new year.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays of the year in Vietnam which is held on the first 4 days of the year according to the lunar calendar.
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Before the holiday happen, family members usually stay together to to clean and decorate their home or meeting with their friends or relatives for a reunion dinner. And during the holiday, everyone will be reunited with their families to welcome a new year of peace, happiness and fortune. Also, it is also a time to look back on a year that has passed and wish to erase all bad luck and sadness in the old year.
Hung King’s death anniversary
Hung King’s death anniversary or Hung Temple Festival is a holiday of Vietnam. This is a traditional festival of Vietnamese people to commemorate the merits of building the country of Hung Kings. The traditional ceremony is held annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month at Hung Temple, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province and is celebrated and revered by Vietnamese people all over the world.
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On this day, the people of the country also have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities to show their gratitude to the Hung Kings who have built the country and the predecessors, heroes who have defended the country. Many special dishes, especially sticky rice cakes will be dedicate on the altar.
Dragon Boat Festival
The festival also known as Tet Doan Ngo, is held at the 5th day of the 5th lunar month every year. This is a traditional New Year’s Day in some East Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China.
Dishes dedicated on the holiday (Source: collected)
“Doan” means opening, “Ngo” is the period from 11 am to 13 pm. Furthermore, the festival is also known as the “day to kill insects” or launch of catching insects, eliminating pests and diseases that harm crops.
National Reunification Day & International Labor Day
April 30 every year is the Liberation Day of the South, reunification of the country is also known as Victory Day. Marking the event that ended the war in Vietnam and reunified the country in 1975. This is one of the most important holiday in Vietnam.
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International Labor Day 1 May is an annual celebration for the International workers movement and workers. This is a day to celebrate the victories achieved, demonstrating the solidarity of workers from different countries around the world. Praise for the labor force that has fought for peace and democracy.
Due to 2 consecutive holidays, you should be careful when booking a tour during this period because Vietnamese people often travel, so the price of hotel rooms and means of transportation will increase.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the traditional festivals of Vietnam, recognized as “Children’s Tet”, so on this occasion, people often see a lot of lanterns, star lanterns, drums, masks, and especially lion dancing almost everywhere in Vietnam.
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Also during this time, farmers finish harvesting the crop and start to organize festivals, in which the typical full moon festival. Therefore, on this holiday, the family will gather together, enjoy moon cakes and cups of tea as an expression of unity and reunion. One more interest thing happen on Mid-Autumn Festival is moon which will be saw at roundest and brightest time.
Independence day
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September 2 is the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square. Officially giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the predecessor of Vietnam today.
Important notes when traveling to Vietnam during holidays
Vietnamese holiday time only lasts 1-2 days. The most holiday time is the Lunar New Year and April 30 & May 1, can last from 3-5 days; during the holiday period, a lot of people will go on vacation, therefore:
- Fare of daily tour or package tour, car rental service, transportation tickets will be increase a lot.
- Some of the Vietnam visa services may be limited as the office close.
- Hotels in many famous tourist cities such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho, Phu Quoc, Vung Tau will be full…
So, please check the schedule carefully before coming visit during traditional festivals and celebrations in Vietnam.
