In this year, Tet holiday falls February 8th . As a traveller, you might not need to get all the Vietnamese’ excitement and emotions, though there are certain things that you probably should know about. At least you should have an idea whether your upcoming holiday in Vietnam will coincide with this grandest event of the year. We create this guide as a special early gift for those visiting Vietnam during the New year, in the hope that upon leaving, many will say “I am glad…”.
1. Transportation:
This is a big concern that seems to occur to most holiday of travellers. Undoubtedly, it is quite difficult to plan your trip when air, trains and coach are mostly fully booked. Tet holiday is when domestic travel volume rockets, especially South-North route before Tet and North-South after Tet. Because during the year many northern people migrate to southern provinces where gather many industrial zones and businesses. Tet, just like Thanksgiving, is a time for family reunion and therefore, air and trains connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are sold out well in advance.
Vietnam Airlines will add hundreds of flights to serve increasing traffic during Tet. However, we strongly recommend that you book your air tickets as early in advance as possible. Expect some price hike on international routes, just like Christmas time, because many overseas Vietnamese return to the country to celebrate Tet. On domestic routes, price will not change much but tickets are hard to get, especially on Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa. The same rules for train tickets reservation: beware of popular route such as Hanoi – Sapa, Hanoi – Danang, Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang and vice versa.
2. Accommodation:
Hotels and hostels in Vietnam during Tet are abundant – there is no need to worry about overbooking. Tet holiday is not a leisure travelling time for most domestic so you will have many choices with regard to accommodation. Some hotels will have special nights or New Year celebration so check with them in advance to be part of the fun.
However, that most accommodation service will raise the price if you stay during Tet holiday
3. Sightseeing:
The bad news: many museums, mausoleums, indoors exhibition place and art houses will be closed for at least 4 days.
The good news: beach will be empty, cities will be vacant (on the actual date of Tet) – overall a great time for those who enjoy the tranquility.
You can turn both of these news to your advantage, however, by planning your itinerary accordingly: visit the museums and such just before or after Tet, and during Tet, relax yourself or with your loved ones in a walk around Hanoi Old Quarter or sunbathing in Mui Ne beach.
4. Food:
Most restaurants will be closed. Tet isn’t like other events in the year – there is a great variety of Vietnamese food that is not available elsewhere such as Chung cake (stuffed sticky rice cake ), boiled chicken, pickled onions. If you are invited to a Vietnamese family, that would be a great honor. Otherwise, a visit to wet markets selling new year stuffs, will surely be an amazing experience, whether you are in a big city or rural mountain province. Get your camera ready!
5. Shopping:
Like restaurants, many shops will be closed for the first few days of the lunar new year. Some market will still be open, with fewer vendors than you normally see, even in major trading points like Dong Xuan market or Ben Thanh. Many products will be sold at a very reasonable price because most sellers want to start a smooth sales year. Try not to haggle or if you do, do so politely or elseit will be considered to bring about bad luck for the whole new year.
