Visiting Vietnam during Tet festival

Hi fellow travelers, First trip to Vietnam. We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet. Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period? Any tips would be welcome. Thanks for your replies.

Hi, Yes and yes. Book it.

Thanks

Hi there, Celebrating Tet in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is truly unforgettable—just like everyone suggests, make sure to book your accommodation early because all Southern Vietnamese return for the occasion. Traffic in the city center is packed, the main Avenue in front of the former palace becomes pedestrian-only, and adjacent streets are closed. During this time, museums stay open, as does the post office. Some small restaurants close as owners head north or to the central regions to join their families. On Tet day, there’s a grand fireworks display. An unforgettable atmosphere! Happy travels!

Thanks Henon for the info. I’ll book well in advance before arriving. Maybe you’d have the address of a nice hotel to recommend?

Hi there, During this trip to central Vietnam, it was supposed to end with Tet in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), and what’s more, it fell on my birthday. The agency managed to negotiate a great price for the hotel "Majestic Hotel"—okay, a little splurge, but it was perfectly located by the Saigon River, bordered by historic Dong Khoi Street on one side and pedestrian Nguyen Hue Street on the other. The street was really lively during Tet. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks were set off and clearly visible from the Majestic’s terrace. This hotel is also steeped in history and has kept its colonial-era style. Breakfast on the terrace is a memorable experience. On Tet evening, the hotel offers a gala dinner. Personally, I just watched it a bit—very fancy, with beautiful live tableaux—but I preferred celebrating Tet in the streets and local neighborhood restaurants. Plan to get around on foot because everything is gridlocked for three days… absolutely wonderful. I didn’t check out the backpacker street, but I already have Tet in Cholon’s Chinatown on the program—hopefully, it won’t be too deserted by Chinese travelers heading home for the occasion. Happy travels!

Thanks Henon, it makes us want to experience this festival after so many Shivaratris in India and Songkrans in Thailand—one more to add to the list! A great opportunity to discover a people. Have a great trip yourselves too.

Good evening, For India, I only experienced "Happy Diwali," but I haven’t visited much of India. Songkran: the first time was 50 years ago!! Safe travels to you too.

Hi Eric, Well, in the end, we won’t arrive in Ho Chi Minh until February 12th for 2 or 3 days. Do you think the festival will be over and that restaurants, money changers, and transport will be back up and running? We’d rather not get stuck too long in a big city. Thanks

Bonsoir D'après mon expérience les restaurants seront à 80/85% ouverts, les bureaux de change ouverts et les transports fonctionneront à vos dates. Les animations avenue Nguyen Hué devraient être ouvertes. N'oublions pas que en 194/1955 et en 1975 les vietnamiens du sud qui le voulaient et avaient les moyens et pistons sont partis se réfugier dans d'autres pays pour fuir le communisme. Ces expatriés reviennent au pays pour le nouvel An (Têt) et revoir leurs familles. Ils ont la réputation d'être riches donc ils restent ouverts pour commercer avec les "Việt kiều" le surnom des expats . Dommage de rater leTêt mais Profitez bien du voyage t séjour. Eric

Merci beaucoup Eric pour vos infos. Si le courant passe bien entre les Vietnamiens et nous, nous reviendrons une autre annee spécialement pour assister a la fête du Têt.

Bonjour,

oui c est compliqué, pour se deplacer, pour trouver un hébergement, pour se nourrir également, beaucoup de gargottes fermées. j evite le Têt dorénavant

Bonjour Luan Oui c est compliqué en pleine fête, mais la prochaine fête sera le 6 fev et nous arriverons le 12 fev. Ma question est de savoir si l hebergement et les transports serons encore saturés?