Top 3 Vietnam Public Holidays that Travel Agencies Should Know

21 October, 2025

Understanding Vietnam Public Holidays is essential when planning tours or group departures. These holidays can completely reshape travel flow, cities may quiet down, transport gets busy, and some sites close, but they also offer incredible chances for cultural immersion and local connection.

At Venus Travel, as a Vietnam local tour operator & trusted DMC, we’ve helped agencies worldwide navigate these peak seasons smoothly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the major public holidays & traditional festivals in Vietnam for 2026, with insights on when to travel, what to expect, and how to turn local celebrations into memorable, well-run programs for your clients.

Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) – February 17–23, 2026

Tet is Vietnam’s biggest celebration and the most important date to understand in the Vietnam Public Holidays calendar. Everything in the country revolves around Tet: it’s when families reunite, cities transform, and traditions come alive.

For travelers, it’s both magical and challenging. Streets fill with flower markets, incense, and festive energy before the holiday, but once Tet Eve arrives, many shops and attractions close for several days.

*Tet is Vietnam’s biggest celebration and a key date in the national holiday calendar.*

Why Agencies Should Care:

Pre-Tet Period (Early February): A golden window for cultural immersion. Travelers can join flower market walks in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, watch locals decorating homes, and even take part in cooking sessions for traditional Tet dishes.
During Tet Week: Best for those seeking authentic cultural moments, visiting pagodas, seeing empty city streets, and witnessing family rituals.
Post-Tet (from Feb 24 onward): Perfect for regular sightseeing. Cities reopen, the weather is mild, and prices normalize.

Program Design Tips for Agencies:

Plan Around Closures: Many businesses shut for 3–5 days. Build slower-paced itineraries with cultural activities, temple visits, and market strolls.
Book Early: Transport and hotels fill quickly so we usually secure allocations months in advance.
Highlight Local Experiences: We can arrange home-hosted Tet dinners, calligraphy workshops, and guided temple visits that give travelers a meaningful connection to Vietnamese culture.

Operational Insights:

Avoid heavy travel between February 16–18 when locals return home.
Hold flexible schedules during Tet week – street closures and festivities can affect timing.
Encourage agencies to market February programs as “Celebrate Tet Like a Local” – it’s one of the most memorable cultural experiences in Southeast Asia.

Tet is more than a holiday; it’s the heartbeat of Vietnamese culture. With the right planning and a trusted local DMC like us, agencies can easily turn it into a highlight rather than a logistical challenge.

Reunification Day (April 30) & International Labor Day (May 1)

Late April and early May mark one of Vietnam’s most anticipated long weekends – Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labor Day (May 1). These back-to-back national holidays are part of the official Vietnam Public Holidays calendar, giving locals a 3–4 day break. For travel planners, this period brings both opportunities and challenges.

What These Holidays Mean:

Reunification Day celebrates the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, a day of national pride and reflection.
International Labor Day honors workers’ rights and is observed with public events, parades, and concerts across the country.

*Late April and early May mark one of the most anticipated Vietnam public holidays.*

How It Affects Travel:
During this long weekend, domestic travel spikes sharply. Vietnamese families flock to coastal and mountain destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Sapa. This makes it a high-demand period for hotels, transport, and flights – something agencies should prepare for early.

Our Tips for Travel Agencies:

Plan Early: Hotel rates rise quickly during this time. We secure allocations months in advance to protect pricing for our partners.
Shift Travel Dates: If your travelers prefer quieter experiences, we recommend arriving right before or after the holiday rush.
Alternate Destinations: Consider less crowded gems like Quy Nhon, Phu Yen, or Pu Luong, we can tailor itineraries that avoid the typical hotspots while keeping the same beach or nature appeal.

Event Highlights:

In Ho Chi Minh City, expect fireworks and street celebrations around April 30.
Hanoi hosts cultural performances and patriotic displays around Ba Dinh Square.
Coastal cities often organize local festivals, parades, and live music events – great opportunities for group experiences if planned properly.

Operational Insights:

Domestic flights and trains sell out weeks ahead. We manage all allocations and use trusted local transport partners to keep itineraries on schedule.
Some attractions may close for a day or reduce hours, we adapt programs to include flexible outdoor activities or countryside visits.
This is an excellent time to highlight Vietnam’s unity and national pride – something travelers often find inspiring.

If you position this period smartly, it can be one of the most profitable and exciting times in your Vietnam calendar. At Venus Travel, we help travel agencies design itineraries that capture the festive energy of Vietnam Public Holidays while maintaining smooth logistics and comfort for every traveler.

National Day (September 2) – Vietnam’s Celebration of Independence

September 2 marks Vietnam’s National Day, commemorating the moment President Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945. It’s a day that unites the entire country, with flags flying high, parades filling city streets, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. For travel agencies, this is one of the most strategic times in the Vietnam Public Holidays calendar to create programs that showcase the nation’s pride and festive atmosphere.

What to Expect During National Day:

Public Festivities: Major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang host cultural shows, concerts, and fireworks displays.
Patriotic Vibe: Streets are lined with red flags and banners, creating an unforgettable backdrop for travelers.
Short Domestic Travel Boom: Locals take advantage of the 3-day weekend, often traveling to nearby beaches, mountain towns, or their hometowns.

*On Sept 2, major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are bright with flags and celebrations.*

Destination Insights for Agencies:

Hanoi: The political and cultural heart of the celebration. Your travelers can visit Ba Dinh Square, where the Declaration of Independence was first read, and enjoy evening fireworks over Hoan Kiem Lake.
Hue & Hoi An: Ideal for travelers seeking a quieter, cultural escape with heritage charm. We often design programs featuring traditional music performances and lantern nights on the Thu Bon River.
Phu Quoc or Nha Trang: Perfect for families and groups looking to blend a festive atmosphere with beach relaxation. We recommend early bookings, as resorts fill up fast.

Operational Tips from us:

Book Early: Transport and hotels reach full capacity weeks before the holiday. We hold advance allocations to secure your clients’ comfort.
Avoid Heavy Transit Days: Plan sightseeing within one region to minimize time on the road.
Leverage the Atmosphere: Encourage photography walks, local food tours, and night river cruises during fireworks shows – travelers love capturing the patriotic spirit.

Why It’s a Great Time to Sell Vietnam:
National Day is more than a public holiday, it’s a living history lesson wrapped in color, pride, and joy. When designed thoughtfully, programs during this time help travelers understand Vietnam’s story on a deeper level.

As your local Vietnam DMC & tour operator, Venus Travel ensures your itineraries are smooth, compliant, and full of real cultural engagement. We manage the logistics, you deliver unforgettable experiences.

Final Thoughts: Turning Vietnam Public Holidays into Opportunities

Mastering the Vietnam Public Holidays calendar means more than just avoiding busy dates, it’s about creating authentic, high-impact travel programs. Each celebration offers a story, a rhythm, and a chance for travelers to experience Vietnam at its most vibrant.

*Our travelers had such unique and wonderful experiences exploring Hoi An with Venus Travel.*

At Venus Travel, your local tour operator & trusted Vietnam DMC, we design seamless itineraries around these key holidays, from Tet and National Day to lesser-known regional festivals. We handle the logistics, local coordination, and cultural insights, so your clients enjoy smooth operations and unforgettable experiences.

Partner with us to transform Vietnam’s 2026 festivals into your agency’s next best-selling journeys: