If you’ve ever tried to run a group program during Tet or book a beach resort over Reunification Day weekend, you already know how challenging it can be to navigate Vietnam public holidays. Flights sell out fast, traffic gets heavy, and hotels hit peak rates, but this is also when the country comes alive with its most colorful traditions.
That’s why we created this guide to the top Vietnam public holidays & traditional festivals in 2026. It’s designed to help you, as an international travel agency or tour operator, plan smarter itineraries, avoid operational headaches, and turn peak seasons into a selling point for your clients.
As a Vietnam local tour operator & trusted DMC, we’ve spent years managing groups through these busy periods. We know when to avoid long transfers, which festivals are worth building an itinerary around, and how to secure hard-to-get allocations. Consider this your insider playbook for 2026 – packed with practical tips, destination suggestions, and ways to make every program smooth and memorable.
Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) – Vietnam’s Biggest Celebration
Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is by far the most important date in the Vietnam public holidays calendar. In 2026, Tet falls on February 17–23, and it’s the single week when the entire country seems to hit pause – offices close, families reunite, and streets transform with flowers, calligraphy stalls, and festive markets.
For travelers, Tet is both magical and challenging. Magical, because it’s the one time of year when they can witness Vietnamese traditions at their most colorful: lion dances, ancestral altar offerings, firecrackers, and families dressed in their finest ao dai. Challenging, because flights, trains, and hotels sell out months in advance, and many shops close for three to five days.
Here’s how we recommend agencies approach Tet when designing programs:
1. Time It Right:
Arriving 3–5 days before Tet is ideal. Travelers get to experience the pre-holiday buzz, flower markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, streets decorated with kumquat trees and peach blossoms, without worrying about closures.
2. Choose Destinations Carefully:
- Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City: Perfect for cultural travelers who enjoy quiet city streets, early-morning temple visits, and festive photography.
- Hoi An & Hue: These heritage towns look magical during Tet with lantern-lit streets and local calligraphy markets.
- Mekong Delta: A home-hosted Tet dinner here offers a rare look into traditional family life.
3. Build in Cultural Experiences:
We often include fortune-telling sessions, cooking classes featuring Tet dishes, or hands-on workshops where travelers learn to make bánh chưng (traditional sticky rice cakes).
4. Manage Operations Carefully:
We secure hotel allocations and private transfers well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Our local teams plan flexible schedules to account for closures and peak travel days.
Why agencies should selling Tet programs:
- It’s an easy sell as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for culture-seeking FITs, alumni groups, or incentive travelers.
- Programs are slower-paced, which works well for multi-generational groups.
- You can position it as “Celebrate Tet Like a Local” – giving clients a brag-worthy, immersive holiday story.
Partnering with us means you get a ready-to-sell Tet program, built with the right timing, pre-booked allocations, and insider access to cultural experiences your travelers will love.
April 30 – Reunification Day & May 1 – International Labor Day
These two back-to-back dates are among the most important Vietnam public holidays, creating one of the longest public breaks of the year. In 2026, Reunification Day (April 30) falls on a Thursday, and International Labor Day (May 1) is on Friday, meaning most Vietnamese will take a four-day weekend (or longer if they add Monday off).
For travel planners, this is both a challenge and a golden opportunity. The challenge? Domestic travel demand skyrockets – flights, trains, and resorts sell out quickly. The opportunity? This is the perfect time to sell beach packages and coastal getaways, because that’s exactly what locals are doing and your travelers get to join in the lively atmosphere.
Here’s how we usually build programs around this holiday pair:
1. Go Coastal:
- Da Nang & Hoi An: My Khe Beach and An Bang Beach are at their best, with clear skies and vibrant nightlife. Perfect for family or incentive groups that want beach + culture.
- Nha Trang: Famous for calm waters in late April, ideal for island-hopping trips and seafood feasts.
- Phu Quoc: A tropical option for those who prefer quieter luxury escapes.
2. Add a Historical Touch:
Reunification Day is tied to the end of the Vietnam War (April 30, 1975). In Ho Chi Minh City, we include a visit to the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum to give travelers historical context.
3. Plan Around Crowds:
Because domestic travelers flock to the beaches, we secure hotel allocations and domestic flights well ahead of time. For groups, we recommend early morning departures and private beach setups to ensure a smoother experience.
4. Make it Festive:
Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi host fireworks and public concerts. We arrange VIP seating or private rooftop viewing so your travelers can enjoy the celebration without fighting the crowds.
Why agencies love selling late-April departures:
- Weather is near-perfect nationwide – sunny in the north, dry and warm in the south and central coast.
- It’s easy to market as “Vietnam’s Summer Kickoff” with packages combining beach leisure + light cultural touring.
- Group travel demand is strong, making it ideal for series departures or charters.
By planning ahead and leveraging our pre-secured allocations, your travelers will enjoy smooth logistics and front-row access to Vietnam’s first big holiday of the summer season.
September 2 – Vietnam National Day
Vietnam National Day on September 2 is one of the most patriotic moments in the Vietnam public holidays calendar. This date marks the day President Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945, and the whole country turns festive – streets are draped in red flags, parades are held in major cities, and public concerts and fireworks light up the night sky.
For international travelers, this is a powerful window to experience Vietnam’s national pride firsthand. Here’s how we typically help agencies design programs for this period:
1. Choose the Right City:
- Hanoi: The political heart of Vietnam is where the biggest celebrations take place, including flag-raising ceremonies at Ba Dinh Square and special exhibitions at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Expect a vibrant atmosphere with fireworks along the Saigon River, street parades, and cultural performances, we can secure riverside dinner cruises with prime fireworks views.
- Hue: As the former imperial capital, Hue offers a quieter, more historical take, we combine visits to the Citadel with evening dragon-boat rides on the Perfume River under the festive lanterns.
2. Pair with Culture & Nature:
Since this holiday falls at the end of summer, we often recommend adding a few days in Sapa or Ha Giang for trekking and fresh mountain air, or Ninh Binh for boat rides through the limestone valleys – perfect for those who want to balance the city celebrations with peaceful landscapes.
3. Manage Operations Smartly:
- Domestic travel demand is high; we book train and flight tickets well in advance for smooth connections.
- Some museums and offices may close for a day, so we plan more outdoor touring and hands-on cultural activities to keep travelers engaged.
Why agencies should selling National Day programs:
- It’s a great opportunity for cultural immersion and patriotic storytelling, your travelers won’t just see Vietnam, they’ll feel its spirit.
- The timing (early September) works well for student groups, alumni tours, and culture-focused FITs who want meaningful travel experiences.
- We can build themed itineraries around “Vietnam’s Path to Independence,” visiting key historical sites and adding local expert talks.
With our local teams managing logistics, your clients will have a smooth experience – from securing event access to arranging private viewing spots for fireworks – making their National Day tour memorable and hassle-free.
Mid-Autumn Festival – Lantern Magic for Families
Falling in September or early October (check the lunar calendar for exact 2026 dates), the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most family-friendly highlights in the Vietnam public holidays lineup. Originally a harvest festival, it’s now a magical evening celebration with lantern parades, lion dances, and children’s performances across the country.
Here’s how we usually recommend agencies include it in their programs:
1. Best Destinations to Experience Mid-Autumn:
- Hoi An: The ancient town transforms into a lantern wonderland. We arrange evening walking tours and private lantern-making workshops so travelers can create and release their own lanterns on the Thu Bon River.
- Hanoi: Hang Ma Street is the epicenter for lantern shopping, we time visits just before dusk so groups can see the street come alive with colors and kids in costumes.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Tao Dan Park and Nguyen Hue Walking Street host lion dance shows and community celebrations – great for groups that enjoy lively city atmospheres.
2. Build Family-Friendly Programs:
This festival is all about kids and families, so we design itineraries that include mooncake tastings, folk games, and storytelling sessions about the Moon Goddess and the Jade Rabbit – perfect for multi-generational groups.
3. Operations Tips:
- Streets can be crowded in the evening, so we use smaller vehicles and plan guided walking routes to avoid bottlenecks.
- We pre-book lantern-making workshops and riverside dinners to guarantee availability during peak nights.
Why agencies love selling Mid-Autumn departures:
- It’s an easy product to market as a “Lantern Festival Experience,” which appeals to family travelers, small groups, and culture lovers.
- Visual content from this festival (lanterns, lion dances, mooncakes) is highly Instagrammable, perfect for boosting post-trip social shares.
- Weather in late September/early October is usually pleasant, making evening activities comfortable.
With our local expertise, you can offer your travelers a seamless and magical Mid-Autumn experience, from securing the best spots to watch lantern parades to creating interactive, hands-on activities that they’ll remember for years.
Turning Vietnam Public Holidays into Unique Travel Programs
Vietnam’s public holidays and traditional festivals are more than just dates on a calendar, they’re the heartbeats of the country’s culture. From the vibrant Tet celebrations in February to the lantern-lit nights of Mid-Autumn Festival, these moments give your travelers authentic, unforgettable experiences.
But they also require careful planning. Flights sell out, hotels fill quickly, and crowds can change how itineraries flow. That’s where we come in.
As Venus Travel – a Vietnam local tour operator & trusted DMC, we’ve spent years perfecting operations during peak seasons. We know how to:
- Secure allocations early so your travelers never miss out on top hotels or domestic flights.
- Build balanced itineraries that mix festival highlights with enough downtime for a smooth pace.
- Add insider experiences – from home-hosted Tet dinners to private lantern-making workshops – that turn a good trip into a trip your clients rave about.
Get in touch with our team today. Let’s design your 2026 programs around the best Vietnam public holidays, giving your agency a competitive edge and your travelers a richer, more meaningful journey through Vietnam:
- Office 1: 14 An Nhon 10, Da Nang City, Vietnam
- Office 2: 429A Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Viet Nam
- Email: [email protected]
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- Website: www.venusvietnamtravel.com
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