Tet Festival Vietnam 2026: Dates, Schedule & Travel Tips for Indian Backpackers
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
If you are searching for the tet festival vietnam date for 2026, here it is: Feb 16 to Feb 21. Tet (Tết Nguyên Đán) is the Vietnamese New Year, shutting the country down for about a week every January or February. Here are the exact 2026 dates, what closes, what stays open, and how to plan either way.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| When is Tet 2026? | Feb 16 (Year of the Horse) to Feb 21 (official 7-day holiday) | , |
| When was Tet 2025? | Jan 28 to Feb 2 (Year of the Snake) | , |
| When was Tet 2024? | Feb 8 to Feb 14 (Year of the Dragon) | , |
| When was Tet 2023? | Jan 20 to Jan 26 (Year of the Cat/Rabbit) | , |
| Is Tet a good time to visit Vietnam? | Only if you book 2+ months ahead and accept closures; otherwise avoid | , |
Tet 2026 Dates and the Lunar Calendar Pattern
Tet follows the Vietnamese lunar calendar, which is why it drifts between mid-January and mid-February each year. The actual holiday window (when government offices, banks, and most shops close) is usually 7 days, but the surrounding “ghost month” effects on transport and prices run for 2 to 3 weeks. Here are the recent and upcoming dates so you can see the pattern:
| Year | Tet Dates (Official Holiday) | Zodiac | Lunar New Year’s Eve |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jan 20 to Jan 26 | Cat | Jan 21 |
| 2024 | Feb 8 to Feb 14 | Dragon | Feb 9 |
| 2025 | Jan 28 to Feb 2 | Snake | Jan 29 |
| 2026 | Feb 16 to Feb 21 | Horse | Feb 17 |
| 2027 | Feb 5 to Feb 11 | Goat | Feb 6 |
If you’re planning a trip from India for January or February, the practical question is not “when is Tet this year” but “does Tet fall during the dates I’m planning.” For 2026 trips, Tet hits Feb 16. For 2027 trips, it shifts back to Feb 5.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-January | Cool & dry (north: 15-20°C, south: 25-30°C) | Medium (Tet pre-booking season) | Rising | Book now if you want to be in country for Tet |
| Late January | Same as above | High if Tet falls here (2023, 2025) | Peak (₹₹₹) | Avoid unless you want the festival |
| Early February | Same as above | Low (post-Tet recovery) | Moderate (₹₹) | Best window if Tet fell in late January |
| Mid-February | Same as above | High if Tet falls here (2024, 2026) | Peak (₹₹₹) | Avoid unless you want the festival |
| Late February | Same as above | Low (post-Tet recovery) | Moderate (₹₹) | Booked-out hostels reopen, prices drop |
The weather across all of these months is genuinely good for travel. This is dry season in most of Vietnam. North Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang) gets cool, sometimes 10°C at night in late January. Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue) is comfortable, around 20-25°C. South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) is warm and dry, 28-32°C. Rain is rare. The variable across these months is not weather, it is the Tet calendar.
Tet Pros and Cons
Pros:
- You will see flower markets, calligraphy streets, and the actual Tết atmosphere in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Hoi An and HCMC both light up with lanterns and decorations 3-4 days before the new year
- Some travellers report the country feels friendlier as families reunite and food is shared
- Domestic tourism spikes mean flight and bus tickets within Vietnam are easy to book (everyone goes the same direction at once)
- Photographic opportunity: bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) making in family courtyards, kumquat trees on every motorbike
Cons:
- Almost everything closes for 3-5 days: shops, restaurants (except a handful that cater to tourists in District 1 HCMC and the Old Quarter Hanoi), museums, and government offices. For a full list of what Indian tourists should and shouldn’t do in Vietnam, see our scams and culture guide.
- Banks and ATMs in smaller cities run out of cash because nobody refills them during the holiday
- Buses and trains stop or run on skeleton schedules 2 days before and 2 days after Tet
- Hostels in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and Hoi An book out 3-4 weeks in advance; prices double from ₹737 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.64) to ₹1,473 (~400,000 VND or ~$15.28) or more for a dorm bed (see our best hostels in Vietnam guide for Tet-proof picks)
- Flights from India are at peak pricing because the entire Vietnamese diaspora abroad is flying home
- You cannot rent a motorbike; most rental shops close for the week
- Many Vietnamese veg restaurants run on family-only operating hours; finding food can be a 2-hour hunt
- Domestic flights inside Vietnam (Hanoi to Da Nang, HCMC to Hanoi) sell out and prices spike to 3-4x normal
The ground-level reality: if you arrive in Hanoi on Feb 15, 2026 thinking you’ll wander around and figure it out, you’ll find half the shops shuttered, the Old Quarter eerily quiet, and your hostel receptionist telling you the bus to Sapa is fully booked until Feb 22. Travellers who do Tet well book everything 2 months ahead, accept that they’ll eat at the same 3-4 tourist-zone restaurants for a week, and treat it as a cultural immersion, not a transport-and-sightseeing trip.
What Closes, What Stays Open
This is the single most useful table for Tet planning:
| Category | Status During Tet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostels | Open but booked out weeks ahead | Dorm prices 2-3x normal in tourist zones |
| Convenience stores (Circle K, Family Mart, 7-Eleven) | Open with reduced hours | Stock runs low on beer and water by Day 2 |
| Indian restaurants (Hanoi, HCMC) | Mostly open | Hoi An and Da Nang have few |
| Museums | Closed | Government-run museums close; some private ones stay open |
| Banks | Closed | ATMs refill infrequently; carry enough cash for 5-7 days |
| Buses (intercity) | Stopped or skeleton 2 days before / after | Sleeper buses to Sapa, Da Lat, Nha Trang run on Tet-specific schedule |
| Trains (Hanoi-Sapa, Hanoi-HCMC) | Booked solid 2-3 weeks ahead | Price spikes, no extra capacity |
| Domestic flights | Operate but full and expensive | HCMC to Hanoi one-way can hit ₹12,890 (~3,500,000 VND or ~$133.71) |
| Motorbike rentals | Closed | Tourist-area rentals do not operate Tet week |
| Street food vendors | Hit or miss | Many go home to their hometowns |
| Hospitals | Open (24/7) | Travel insurance is genuinely useful this week |
What to Pack Specifically for Tet Season
Tet falls in winter in North Vietnam, which catches Indian travellers off guard. Bring:
- A light jacket or fleece for Hanoi evenings (10-15°C at night in late January)
- A scarf or beanie for Sapa, Ha Giang, and northern mountainous areas (can drop to 5°C)
- Layers for central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hue: warm afternoons, cool evenings around 18°C)
- Summer clothes for southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc: still 30°C+)
- Cash in VND for 5-7 days; ATMs refill slowly during the holiday
- A printed copy of your hostel booking and onward transport tickets; mobile signal drops in some rural areas as staff go home
- A backup eSIM if your physical SIM fails during peak usage days (Get Nomad eSIM)
The Indian traveller-specific note: if you are vegetarian, pack snacks. Indian restaurants in tourist zones stay open, but the smaller veg spots close for family reunions. Most Indian restaurants in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and HCMC’s District 1 stay open through Tet, but call ahead to confirm. Hoi An and Da Nang have few Indian restaurants, and most close for the holiday.
Season Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak (Tet Week) | Shoulder (2-3 Weeks Either Side) | Low (Rest of Dry Season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight India to Vietnam (round trip) | ₹32,000 (~$331.94) | ₹22,000 (~$228.21) | ₹18,000 (~$186.71) |
| Dorm Bed (Hanoi/HCMC tourist zone) | ₹1,473 (~400,000 VND or ~$15.28) | ₹921 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) | ₹663 (~180,000 VND or ~$6.88) |
| Private Room (mid-range) | ₹4,420 (~1,200,000 VND or ~$45.84) | ₹2,946 (~800,000 VND or ~$30.56) | ₹1,842 (~500,000 VND or ~$19.10) |
| Intercity Bus (Hanoi to Sapa) | ₹1,842 (~500,000 VND or ~$19.10) | ₹1,289 (~350,000 VND or ~$13.37) | ₹921 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) |
| Domestic Flight (HCMC to Hanoi) | ₹12,890 (~3,500,000 VND or ~$133.71) | ₹7,366 (~2,000,000 VND or ~$76.41) | ₹4,420 (~1,200,000 VND or ~$45.84) |
| Indian Thali (Hanoi/HCMC) | ₹442 (~120,000 VND or ~$4.58) | ₹331 (~90,000 VND or ~$3.44) | ₹295 (~80,000 VND or ~$3.06) |
| Beer (bia hơi, local draught) | ₹92 (~25,000 VND or ~$0.96) | ₹55 (~15,000 VND or ~$0.57) | ₹37 (~10,000 VND or ~$0.38) |
The Tet week price spike is the steepest in Southeast Asia. It is genuinely 2-3x normal for accommodation and 1.5-2x for everything else. If you are budget-constrained, the week before Tet (roughly Jan 25 to Feb 8 in 2026) and the week after (Feb 22 to Mar 1) are good alternatives: the country is back to normal, prices have settled, and the weather is still dry.
Getting Around During Tet
Most backpackers enter Vietnam through Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport or HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport. Both airports stay open throughout Tet, but expect huge crowds as the Vietnamese diaspora flies home for the holiday. Immigration lines can run 2+ hours during peak days (typically 2 days before Tet and the day of Tet itself).
| Route | Operator | Tet Status | Booking Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Hanoi | Air Asia, VietJet | Operates full schedule, prices spike 3-4x | 6+ weeks ahead |
| Bangkok to HCMC | VietJet, Thai VietJet | Operates full schedule, prices spike 3-4x | 6+ weeks ahead |
| Hanoi to Da Nang | Vietnam Airlines, VietJet | Operates full schedule, sold out days ahead | 3+ weeks ahead |
| Hanoi to Sapa (bus) | Sapa Express, Green Lion Bus | Stops 2 days before / after Tet | 2+ weeks ahead |
| HCMC to Hanoi (overnight train) | SE3, SE7 | Operates, fully booked 3 weeks ahead | 3+ weeks ahead |
| Hoi An to Hue (bus) | The Sinh Tourist, FUTA | Stops 2 days before Tet | 1+ week ahead |
| Da Nang to Hoi An (taxi) | Local taxis, Grab | Operates but surge pricing | Same day OK |
If your India-Vietnam flight lands on Feb 14 or Feb 15, 2026 (1-2 days before Tet), expect immigration delays and plan for a 3-hour buffer to reach your hostel.
What If You Want to Avoid Tet Entirely?
The easiest answer: don’t travel in Vietnam during the week before, during, or after Tet. If you are flexible by even 10 days, you skip the worst of it. For a full overview of Southeast Asia planning, see our SEA Backpacking Hub. Travellers aiming for January or February travel in Vietnam should target:
- Jan 1 to Jan 18 (most years, no Tet effect)
- Feb 23 to Feb 28 (most years, post-Tet recovery)
- The entire month of March (the last regional Tet celebrations wind down by late February, and prices settle within 5 days of the official holiday ending)
If you are locked into a specific Indian school break or work window that overlaps Tet, you have two choices: embrace it (book 2+ months ahead, accept closures, treat it as cultural immersion) or pivot to a different country. Cambodia and Laos in January-February do not have a major shutdown, and transport runs normally. See our best time to visit Laos and best time to visit Cambodia guides for alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tet a good time to visit Vietnam? Only if you specifically want to experience the Vietnamese New Year, and you book accommodation and transport 2-3 months ahead. For most backpackers aiming to see the country’s highlights, Tet week is the worst week to be there because half of Vietnam is closed and prices triple.
When is Tet 2026? Feb 16, 2026 (Year of the Horse). The official 7-day holiday runs Feb 16 to Feb 21. Pre-Tet transport shutdowns begin Feb 14, and prices return to normal by Feb 23-24.
Do I need to book Vietnam hostels in advance for Tet? Yes. Hostels in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and Hoi An sell out 3-4 weeks ahead for Tet week. Dorm beds that normally cost ₹737 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.64) go for ₹1,473 (~400,000 VND or ~$15.28) or more, and some only have private rooms left. Book by mid-January for Feb 2026 travel.
What happens to buses and trains during Tet? Intercity buses to Sapa, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and other tourist routes stop 2 days before Tet and resume 2 days after. Trains (especially the overnight Hanoi-HCMC) run but are fully booked weeks in advance. If you have to travel during Tet, fly domestic, and book the flight 3-4 weeks ahead.
Will I be able to find Indian food during Tet? In Hanoi’s Old Quarter and HCMC’s District 1, yes. Most Indian restaurants stay open through Tet because they cater to foreign tourists. In smaller cities like Hoi An, Da Lat, or Nha Trang, Indian restaurants either close or operate on reduced hours. Carry instant noodles as backup if you are staying outside major tourist zones.
Is Vietnam safe during Tet for Indian travellers? Yes, safe. Petty crime drops because streets are quiet, and families are home with their belongings. The main risks are logistical: getting stranded if you don’t book transport ahead, running out of cash because ATMs are not refilled, and not being able to find food in smaller towns. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is recommended regardless (Get SafetyWing travel insurance).
How much should I budget extra for Tet week? Realistically, 50-80% more than your normal Vietnam budget. A normal 7-day Vietnam backpacker trip runs ₹18,000-₹22,000 (~$186.71-$228.21) all-in (excluding international flights). During Tet week, the same trip costs ₹28,000-₹35,000 (~$290.45-$363.06) because of dorm/transport/food price spikes. If that is out of budget, postpone by 10 days.
