New Year's Day
1 January 2018 | Nationwide
The first day of the Gregorian calendar is celebrated in various countries around the world. Although each country marks the occasion with its own traditions and customs, it is common for people to gather with friends and family to enjoy the festivities. In some major cities, celebrations may include fireworks, parades, concerts and other forms of entertainment.
Fireworks Celebration
Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese New Year)
14-20 February 2018 | Nationwide
Known as "Tet" for short, this is the most important celebration in the Vietnamese calendar. Marking the start of the new lunar year, Vietnamese people gather with their families to exchange best wishes and pray for prosperity over the coming year. In Ho Chi Minh City, the streets are adorned with beautiful flower decorations.
Vietnamese Girls in Ao Dai during Tet
Reunification Day
30 April 2018 | Nationwide
Also known as Victory Day or Liberation Day, this national holiday marks the fall of the Saigon government on 30 April 1975. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) and brought the Vietnam war to an end. This began the process of reuniting the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north and the Republic of Vietnam in the south.
Saigon 30 April 1975
International Labor Day
1 May 2018 | Nationwide
This day is a celebration of workers’ rights, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated splitting the day into three equal parts: eight-hours work, eight- hours recreation and eight-hours rest.
Vietnam's Farmers
Hung King Anniversary
25 April 2018 | Nationwide
An annual ceremony is held to commemorate the Hung Kings who were the traditional founders of Vietnam and its first emperors. Each year, people gather at the Hung King Temple in Phu Tho province to take part in the festivities which include a palanquin procession with bamboo elephants and wooden horses. Banh chung (square sticky rice cakes) and banh giay (round sticky rice cakes) are enjoyed during the festival as a reminder of how the Hung Kings taught the people how to plant rice.
Hung King Festival
National Independence Day
2 September 2018 | Nationwide
This day commemorates Vietnam's declaration of independence from France in 1945. On that day, thousands of people gathered at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi to witness the historical moment when the first President of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh, read out the Declaration of Independence.
National Independence Day
Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival)
24 September 2018 | Nationwide
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, this festival marks the middle of autumn. Based on tradition, people celebrate the full moon and share delicious banh nuong pastries - moon cakes filled with lotus seed paste which typically contain a bright egg yolk to represent the moon. Traditional ceremonies and lion dances are often performed during the festival.
Mid Autumn Festival with Vietnam Travel Group
Hoi An Lantern Festival
2 & 31 January, 2 & 31 March, 31 April, 29 May, 28 June, 27 July, 25 August, 24 September, 23 October, 21 November, 21 December | Hoi An
On the 14th day of each lunar month, the streets of Hoi An are spectacularly lit up with a display of colorful lanterns. Creating a uniquely picturesque scene, the houses and shops are beautifully decorated and activities are often held in the streets and along the Thu Bon River.
Hoi An Latern Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Dong Da Festival
20 February 2018 | Hanoi
This festival celebrates the victory of King Quang Trung who defeated the army of 200,000 Qing dynasty soldiers at Dong Da Hill. A dragon procession, games and martial arts activities are performed to celebrate the strength of the Vietnamese people during this historic victory.
Dong Da Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Co Loa Festival
21 February - 3 March 2018 | Hanoi
This annual festival is held in honor of King An Duong Vuong who founded the kingdom of Au Lac, now modern-day Vietnam, over 2,000 years ago. People gather in Co Loa, the ancient capital, to enjoy many festive activities such as an official procession, traditional games, sporting events as well as live shows, singing and dancing.
Co Loa Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Tet Nguyen Tieu
2 March 2018 | Ho Chi Minh City (Chinatown)
To celebrate the first full moon of the lunar year, people decorate their houses with lanterns and eat stuffed sticky rice balls. It is also common for people to visit pagodas to pray for a peaceful year and send best wishes to family members and beloved friends.
Tet Nguyen Tieu - Vietnam Travel Group
Perfume Pagoda Festival
31 March - 5 April 2018 | Hanoi
The Perfume Pagoda (or Huong Pagoda) is considered to be one of the most important centers of Buddhism in Vietnam. The complex consists of several pagodas and temples built into the limestone of Huong Tich Mountain. During the festival, visitors can enjoy various activities such as a scenic boat ride along with exploring the holy caves. It is believed that climbing to the top of the mountain will bring you fulfillment and great success in life.
Perfume (Huong) Pagoda Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Lady Buddha Festival
4 April 2018 | Danang
This annual festival is held at Quan The Am Pagoda in Marble Mountain, Danang. Known as the Lady Buddha festival, the event was established around a folk story of the Avalokitesvara statue, or the "Buddha who looks down", who is the embodiment of all the compassion of Buddha.
Lady Buddha Festival Danang - Vietnam Travel Group
Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival)
18 April 2018 | Ho Chi Minh City (Chinatown)
On the third day of the third lunar month, according to an old Chinese tradition, people visit the burial places of their ancestors to clean and pay their respects. They also make offerings of glutinous rice flour cakes.
Tet Han Thuc - Vietnam Travel Group
Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival
21 April 2018 | Hanoi
Located approximately 20 kilometers from Hanoi, Tay Phuong Pagoda is famous for its 18 wooden statues of Buddha. Each year, a festival is held at the pagoda where villagers offer food and burn incense to pray to the Buddha. Pilgrims make their way to the festival to enjoy the pagoda's beautiful scenery and architecture. There are also traditional games such as tug-of-war, cock fighting, human chess, wrestling and puppet performances.
Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Hue Festival
27 April - 2 May 2018 | Hue
Held every two years, the Hue Festival is a week-long event that celebrates the culture and history of the former imperial city which is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local artists and musicians deliver traditional performances alongside art exhibitions, poetry recitals, historical re-enactments and boat races along the river. A variety of traditional street food stalls and traditional kites, which are famous in Hue, can be seen during the festival.
Hue Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Danang International Fireworks Festival
29 April - 30 June 2018 | Danang
The skies of Danang are lit up with a spectacular series of fireworks displays, held over several weeks. Teams of pyrotechnic experts from around the world gather to compete in the festival, filling the sky with an array of lights, sounds and colors. Along with the show, visitors can enjoy other activities such as a boat parade, art decorations, folk performances and various water sports.
Danang International Fireworks Festival - Vietnam Travel Group
Whale Festival (Ca Ong)
1 May 2018 | Danang
During this festival, fishermen express their gratitude and respect for whales, which are seen as saviors of men at sea. They pray for a safe and profitable fishing season and a peaceful life for those who are at risk on the seas. An official ceremony is held, followed by games and performances.
Whale Festival (Ca Ong) - Vietnam Travel Group
Buddha's Birthday (Vesak)
29 May 2018 | Nationwide
An important day on the Buddhist calendar, this day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. People gather at pagodas , which are decorated by beautiful flower garlands and Buddhist flags. The monks offer sermons and pray for the nation’s prosperity and peace.
Buddha's Birthday (Vesak) - Vietnam Travel Group
Tet Doan Ngo
18 June 2018 | Nationwide
This traditional festival is usually held in the middle of the year, marking the seasonal shift from spring to summer. It is a time when farmers begin growing crops for the new season and get rid of pests. Therefore, to aid good health and ward off illness, it is traditional for people to eat fermented sticky rice during this festival.
Tet Doan Ngo - Vietnam Travel Group
We hope that this will be useful for you when you plan to visit Vietnam.
Vietnam Travel Group's Team