Top 10 Vietnam’s festivals and holidays

Top 10 Vietnam’s festivals and holidays
Elly Huynh
Top 10 Vietnam’s festivals and holidays

Vietnam's festivals and holidays offer a vibrant tapestry of cultural celebrations, showcasing the nation's rich heritage through music, dance, and dynamic activities like dragon boat races. Immerse yourself in the festivities to discover the legends that have shaped Vietnam. Here are the top 10 Vetnam’s festivals and holidays unveiled by Vietravel Asia:


1. Lunar New Year (Tết) - The biggest Vietnam’s festivals and holidays

Lunar New Year, or Tet Nguyen Dan, is Vietnam's most significant and widely celebrated festival. Falling in January or February, Tet is a time of immense cultural importance and joyous festivities. Families reunite, homes are adorned with vibrant decorations and traditional rituals are observed to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation as people engage in meticulous preparations, including cleaning and decorating their homes, buying new clothes, and cooking special holiday foods. The streets come alive with colorful parades, dragon dances, and the unmistakable sound of firecrackers. Central to Tet is the custom of giving and receiving "li xi" (lucky money) in red envelopes, symbolizing good fortune. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and the sharing of priceless moments with loved ones.

Vietnam's festivals and holidays
Tết is always held on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. Photo by @vietnamtourism

2. Lim Festival

The Lim Festival, held annually on the 12th or 13th day of the first lunar month in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, is a lively celebration that commemorates the arrival of spring. This festival is renowned for its unique ritual called Quan Ho, where traditionally dressed men and women serenade each other from dragon boats on a lake. The hauntingly beautiful folk songs echo across the water, creating a captivating experience for visitors. The Lim Festival not only showcases the cultural richness of the Red River Delta but also offers a delightful opportunity to witness and appreciate the artistry of Quan Ho in a picturesque setting.

Lim Festival - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

3. Huế Festival & Huế Craft Village Festival - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

The Huế Festival and Huế Craft Village Festival, alternating each year in April, immerse visitors in the rich cultural heritage of Huế, the former capital of Vietnam. During the Huế Festival, the city comes alive with spectacular performances at the Citadel and various locations, bringing history to life. On the other hand, the Huế Craft Village Festival showcases artisanal crafts from surrounding villages, allowing visitors to explore centuries-old traditions. This week-long celebration, held from late April to early May, offers a vibrant and immersive experience, making it a must-visit for those seeking to delve into Vietnam's cultural tapestry.


Tap to learn more about the Hue travel guide.

Vietnam's festivals and holidays

4. Hùng Kings Temple Festival

In the cradle of Vietnamese history, nestled amidst verdant hills, a symphony of gratitude reverberates through the Hung Temple Festival. Echoing across generations, this annual pilgrimage reawakens the spirit of a nation, honoring the Hung Kings, who sowed the seeds of Vietnam. Here, time melts away as vibrant Ao Dai swirls like autumn leaves, carried by fervent steps ascending Nghia Linh Mountain. Ancient melodies, woven with the laughter of children playing age-old games, paint the air with an intoxicating nostalgia.


This is not merely a festival; it's a vibrant tapestry woven with reverence and revelry. It's a chance to stand on the shoulders of giants, to feel the rhythm of ancestral pride coursing through your veins. It's a story whispered amongst lanterns on the Perfume River, reminding Vietnamese people that every sip of our present owes a debt to the wellspring of the past.

Hung King Festival - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

5. Xen Xo Phon Festival

In the verdant cradle of Northwest Vietnam, where mountains whisper secrets to the sky, an ancient dance of gratitude unfolds. The Xen Xo Phon festival, born from the vibrant tapestry of Thai culture, is a symphony of rain prayers and sun-kissed revelry. For generations, its rituals have been honed, each beat of the drum, each swirl of color, echoing the wisdom and beauty of their ancestors.


The ceremonies, devoid of superstition, weave a tapestry of respect for nature and spiritual introspection. Children's laughter mingles with the rhythm of ancient chants, reminding the locals of our inherent innocence and connection to the world. Games and playful traditions unveil valuable lessons, nurturing virtue and reminding us of the timeless beauty of Thai morality.



6. Ghost Festival or Wandering Souls Day

In the ethereal embrace of the seventh lunar month, a celestial convergence unfolds, uniting heaven, earth, yin, and yang in a dance of cosmic energies. Rooted in ancient traditions, the Vietnamese people engage in sacred rituals to honor wandering souls, offering a spiritual sanctuary for those without a haven. This profound practice reflects the ancient worldview of the Vietnamese, a belief deeply woven into the fabric of their culture. Families and businesses lay out elaborate feasts for the ethereal guests—salted rice, boiled porridge, paper shirts, and treasures of gold and silver—all carefully arranged to honor the spirits lingering on earthly realms. It's a poignant manifestation of a timeless connection between the living and the departed, expressed through offerings that transcend the material and embrace the spiritual essence of Vietnam's rich heritage.

Ghost Festival - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

7. Independence Day

As golden sunlight kisses Ba Dinh Square, Vietnam's heart beats with newfound strength on Independence Day. Flags, vibrant as fields of rice, unfurl across the land, echoing the declaration that once shook the world. In every city, a symphony of celebration unfolds. Parades thunder down avenues, a vibrant tapestry of soldiers in crisp uniforms, children in flowing áo dài, and dancers weaving tales of ancient victories.


From serene temples to bustling streets, a spirit of gratitude permeates the air. Offerings rise, and prayers whisper blessings for continued peace and prosperity. In laughter and music, in the clinking of celebratory glasses, in the shared joy of children playing traditional games, the spirit of Vietnam dances. This is not just a day of commemoration; it's a renewal of the promise whispered seventy-eight years ago - a promise to cherish freedom, nurture unity, and forever hold a flame of pride in the heart of every Vietnamese.

Vietnam Independence Day - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

8. Mid-Autumn Festival - Vietnam's festivals and holidays

Celebrated between September and October, this festival is marked by lantern processions, lion dances, and family gatherings to enjoy the harvest moon. In the cradle of Vietnamese tradition, where jade rivers whisper to pagodas bathed in moonlight, a timeless symphony of reunion unfolds.


This is not just a festival; it's a heartbeat. A vibrant tapestry of tradition, family, and faith, stitched together under the celestial needlework of the moon. Come, join the dance, embrace the warmth of lanterns, and let the melody of reunion wash over you. For in the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival, amidst the laughter and swirling light, we remember the magic of connection, the unbreakable threads that bind us to each other and to the ageless rhythm of the cosmos.

Vietnam's festivals and holidays

9. Oóc Om Bóc Festival

Oóc Om Bóc Festival, celebrated by the Khmer people in the Mekong Delta, unfolds in the midst of the lunar October night each year. This vibrant occasion is a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Moon Deity for favoring the weather and ensuring a bountiful harvest. The festival combines sacred rituals and lively festivities, with the iconic dragon boat race intertwined with the lunar worship ceremony, creating a dynamic and joyous atmosphere in Soc Trang.


Families gather on the 14th night of the lunar month for lunar worship, placing a central altar in the courtyard. Elders guide children in the traditional ceremony, sharing wishes for the upcoming year. After the ritual, everyone partakes in a communal feast, accompanied by the playful laughter and dances of children beneath the moonlit sky. Following the lunar worship, families visit temples adorned with illuminated lanterns and unique Loipratip (scented water lanterns). The night sky dazzles with the brilliance of flying lanterns and colorful candles, creating a spectacle that captivates locals and visitors alike. The festival extends into the night with traditional Khmer performances, martial arts competitions, tug-of-war, and cultural showcases, fostering a sense of unity and celebration among the Khmer, Hoa, and Kinh communities. This enchanting night, filled with cultural richness and vibrant activities, symbolizes a collective wish for prosperity, peace, and communal harmony, transcending cultural boundaries.


10. The New Year’s Eve

Vietnam ushers in the New Year with dynamic festivities in major cities, featuring spectacular fireworks, live concerts, and lively street parties. On the eve of the new year, prominent urban centers like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue host exhilarating countdown events, marked by grand stages and dazzling lighting setups. Before the countdown, electrifying performances on stage elevate the festive spirit of the city. If you're in these bustling metropolises during this celebration, prepare to be immersed in the exuberant atmosphere. Notably, to welcome 2024, Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City will host the grand "ENTERA COUNTDOWN 2024" music show, featuring renowned singers, promising an unforgettable and vibrant night of celebration.

The New year' Eve- Vietnam's festivals and holidays

Explore Southeast Asia's Top 10 New Year's Eve Celebrations.


In the rich and varied cultural landscape of Vietnam, the festivals mentioned here are just a glimpse of the diverse tapestry that defines this S-shaped nation. Numerous other festivals, deeply rooted in local influences, await your exploration to provide a complete and immersive experience. With Vietravel Asia as your trusted companion, you can embark on a journey to discover the wonders of this country, where travel goes beyond mere sightseeing and becomes an opportunity to experience, feel, and truly immerse yourself in the heart of local culture and life.


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