Holiday Ideas in January: Tet Festival, Vietnam

The Tet Festival is the most important festival in the Vietnamese calendar and offers a wonderful opportunity to observe Vietnamese culture and life.

Tet, (short for Tet Nguyen Dan, which means "the first morning of the first day of the new year") marks the end of the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring. It is the most important festival in the Vietnamese calendar when families gather together for a huge celebration. People take to the streets and set off fireworks to repel any evil spirits before the New Year begins.

This festival offers a wonderful opportunity to observe and learn about the various rituals associated with Tet, offering an insight into Vietnamese culture and life. Hanoi, Hue and Saigon are the best places to be during Tet – you will see colourful flower markets and a flurry of activity. It’s worth noting, however, that it gets very busy and many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions will close during the key days of the festivities.

Our Vietnam specialists will always let you know if Tet falls during the dates you wish to travel. Travelling at this time means you may need to be a bit flexible and the odd excursion might be slightly different. However, clients are always telling us about their wonderful experiences of joining in celebrations with local families and witnessing Vietnam in its most joyous and vibrant guise.

Further information relating to Tet Festival, Vietnam

Vietnam

Book a holiday to Vietnam, which was where Audley first began creating tailor-made trips. Highlights include a journey from Hanoi to Saigon, the limestone islands of Halong Bay, hill tribes of the Tonkinese Alps, a boat trip on the Mekong Delta and the Vietnamese themselves, who are charming and friendly.

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