Tet 2027 in Saigon: A Complete Visitor Guide to Lunar New Year

Q: What are the must-try traditional Tet foods?

The five iconic dishes are bánh tét (southern cylindrical sticky rice cake), thịt kho hột vịt (caramelised pork with duck eggs), canh khổ qua nhồi thịt (stuffed bitter melon soup), mứt Tết (candied fruit assortment), and xôi gấc (red sticky rice). Hotels and heritage restaurants serve full Tết menus by reservation.

Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnam’s most luminous celebration, falls on Saturday, 6 February 2027 — opening the Year of the Goat. For visitors fortunate enough to arrive during these days, Saigon transforms: its avenues bloom with golden apricot branches, the Saigon River carries the scent of incense from family altars, and the city’s restless rhythm softens […]

Tet 2027 in Saigon: A Complete Visitor Guide to Lunar New Year

Tet 2027 in Saigon: Travel Guide

When is Tet 2027? Dates, duration and what to expect

Tet 2027 officially begins on Saturday, 6 February 2027 (mùng 1, the first day of the lunar new year), continuing through Sunday 7 February (mùng 2) and Monday 8 February (mùng 3) — the three most sacred days. The Vietnamese public holiday typically extends to a seven-to-nine-day national break, meaning offices, schools and many local businesses close from approximately 5 February (Tet Eve, known as Giao Thua) through 13 February.

This is the Year of the Goat (Đinh Mùi in the Vietnamese lunar cycle), traditionally associated with gentleness, artistry and quiet prosperity. The atmosphere in Saigon during Tet is unlike any other moment of the year — softer, more familial, and quietly festive.

What is Tet, really?

Tet Nguyen Dan — “Festival of the First Morning of the First Day” — is the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture, comparable in significance to Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year combined for a Western audience. It marks the arrival of spring, the renewal of the family bond, and the honouring of ancestors. Families return from across Vietnam (and from overseas) to gather, to clean and decorate the home, to settle debts, and to welcome the year ahead with auspicious words and gestures.

For visitors, Tet offers a rare invitation into the most intimate side of Vietnamese life — provided you arrive with awareness of what is open, what is closed, and how to participate respectfully.

Saigon during Tet: atmosphere and what changes

Ho Chi Minh City during Tet feels remarkably different from the city you might know in October or June. The famously dense motorbike traffic thins to a fraction of its usual flow on mùng 1 and mùng 2 as residents retreat into family homes. Streets are swept, shops shuttered with red couplets pasted on their gates, and the air carries the fragrance of pomelo blossoms, fresh paint and burning sandalwood.

Most local restaurants, traditional markets and family-run cafés close from Tet Eve until at least mùng 4 or 5 — though hotels, international restaurants, convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, GS25) and major tourist attractions remain open. For comprehensive guidance on staying safe and comfortable during this quieter period, see our tips for tourist safety in Saigon. Travellers staying in District 1 — the safest base for visitors — will find the most amenities open during the holiday window.

The 6 Tet experiences every visitor should plan for

1. Nguyen Hue Flower Street (Đường Hoa Nguyễn Huệ)

From approximately 3 February through 9 February, the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street is transformed into Saigon’s most spectacular floral installation — over 100 metres of curated displays celebrating the Year of the Goat. Free, open day and night, photographable from any angle. Arrive after 7pm for the magical illuminations; mornings are quieter for unhurried photos.

2. Saigon River Tet fireworks

Saigon’s biggest fireworks display lights the river at midnight on Tet Eve (5 February), typically launched from the Saigon River area in District 1 and a secondary site near Thủ Thiêm. Rooftop venues such as Chill Sky Bar and the riverside Bonsai Cruise booking decks offer privileged views — book several weeks ahead. Free public viewing from Bến Bạch Đằng Park and the Thủ Thiêm pedestrian bridge.

3. Pagoda visits — Vĩnh Nghiêm, Giác Lâm, Thiên Hậu

Vietnamese families visit pagodas during Tet to pray for fortune, health and family unity for the coming year. Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda in District 3, Giác Lâm in Tân Bình (the oldest in HCMC), and Thiên Hậu Temple in Cholon are the three most atmospheric for visitors. Modest dress required (shoulders and knees covered). Burning incense and tying red paper wishes are welcome rituals tourists may quietly join.

4. Bến Thành holiday market

While the traditional Bến Thành Market partially closes on mùng 1, the night market reopens by mùng 3 and bustles back to full energy by mùng 5 — selling seasonal Tet sweets, lucky red envelopes, and dried fruit gift boxes that make exceptional souvenirs.

5. Cultural walking experiences

A self-paced or guided heritage walking tour through District 1 during Tet reveals the city in rare stillness — the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the colonial-era boulevards photograph beautifully without their usual traffic. For deeper immersion, our concierge can arrange unique cultural experiences including private calligraphy sessions and Tet flower-arrangement workshops.

6. Family meals at heritage restaurants

A handful of beloved Saigonese restaurants honour the holiday by serving traditional Tet menus rather than closing. The atmosphere is family-led, the dishes hand-prepared, and reservations essential.

Tet food: the dishes that define the holiday

Tet cuisine is rich, symbolic and prepared days in advance — every dish carries meaning of prosperity, longevity or family wholeness.

Bánh chưng / Bánh tét — the cornerstone of Tet. Square (chưng, northern) or cylindrical (tét, southern) sticky-rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves, filled with mung bean and pork belly, slow-boiled overnight. Symbolises earth, ancestry and family abundance.
Thịt kho hột vịt — caramelised pork belly braised with duck eggs in coconut water. A southern Tet staple eaten across the three days. Best paired with pickled mustard greens (dưa cải chua).
Canh khổ qua nhồi thịt — bitter melon stuffed with minced pork. The name khổ qua literally means “bitterness passing” — eaten in hope that the hardships of the old year depart with the gourd.
Mứt Tết — sugared candied fruits and seeds (coconut, ginger, lotus seed, kumquat) served to guests with hot jasmine tea.
Xôi gấc — vivid red sticky rice from gấc fruit, served on the family altar and at celebratory meals for its auspicious colour.

To experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine at its source, the heritage venue Cục Gạch Quán traditional Vietnamese serves a refined Tet menu by reservation. For a broader F&B map, our Thảo Điền dining guide covers contemporary venues that remain open through the holiday, and our exploration of Saigon café culture highlights independent spots that welcome quiet morning visitors during the slower Tet days.

Cultural etiquette: what to wear, what to avoid

Wear: Red, yellow, or warm tones bring good fortune. Avoid black or all-white outfits on mùng 1 — these colours carry mourning associations. Smart-casual is perfect; conservative dress (shoulders and knees covered) is essential for pagoda visits.

Avoid on mùng 1:

Sweeping or cleaning indoors (you’ll sweep away good fortune)
Breaking glass or ceramics (signals discord)
Crying, arguing, or speaking of death or illness
Asking for change or money lending

Welcome rituals tourists can join:

Wishing locals Chúc Mừng Năm Mới (“Happy New Year”) or An Khang Thịnh Vượng (“Peace, health, prosperity”)
Accepting lucky red envelopes (lì xì) graciously if offered; with both hands and a smile
Visiting pagodas and tying a red wish-paper to the wish tree

Practical tips for tourists during Tet

Banks and ATMs: Bank branches close from Tet Eve to mùng 4. ATMs operate but may run out of cash by mùng 2 — withdraw VND for the holiday period two days ahead.
Transport: Grab and Be ride-hailing services run with reduced supply and elevated surge pricing (~1.5x to 2x normal). Pre-book airport transfers a week ahead. For arrival logistics see our Tân Sơn Nhất airport transfer to District 1 guide.
Shopping: Vincom, Saigon Centre, Takashimaya and Diamond Plaza remain open with reduced hours. Local markets close from mùng 1 to mùng 3; some reopen earlier.
Embassies and government offices: Closed for the full national holiday. Plan around this if you require consular services.
Pharmacies: Major chains (Pharmacity, Long Châu) remain open at reduced hours. Carry any prescription medication you need.
Cash etiquette: Carry crisp, new bills in small denominations if you wish to give lì xì — old or wrinkled notes are considered inauspicious.

For first-time visitors, our Vietnam travel guidebook 2026 offers wider context on country-level travel essentials, from visa rules to seasonal weather.

Why book your Tet 2027 stay at The Myst Dong Khoi

The Myst Dong Khoi remains fully operational throughout Tet 2027, with all amenities — restaurant, bar, spa, and 24-hour concierge — open every day of the holiday. Our 108 boutique rooms are dressed with traditional Tết décor: golden apricot branches in the lobby, calligraphy scrolls bearing blessings of fortune, and lì xì envelopes offered to every guest on mùng 1.

Our location at the quiet end of Hồ Huấn Nghiệp Street places you four minutes’ walk from the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street and within five minutes of the Saigon River fireworks vantage at Bến Bạch Đằng. As a Michelin Guide Hotels & Stays inducted boutique — and the 2025 World Luxury Hotel Awards Global Winner for Luxury Cultural Hotel — we are positioned to make your Tết visit both seamless and meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly is Tet 2027 and how long does it last?

Tet 2027 officially begins on Saturday, 6 February 2027 (mùng 1) and the three sacred days run through Monday 8 February. The Vietnamese public holiday typically extends seven to nine days from Tết Eve (5 February) through approximately 13 February, with most local businesses closed during the central days.

Is Tet a good time for tourists to visit Saigon?

Yes — Tet offers a uniquely peaceful, intimate side of Saigon that visitors at other times of year never see. Traffic thins dramatically, the air softens, and cultural celebrations (flower street, fireworks, pagoda visits) are spectacular. The trade-off is reduced local restaurant availability for the central three days. Best for travellers who value atmosphere over a packed itinerary.

What’s open in Saigon during Tet — restaurants, attractions?

Open throughout: hotels and their restaurants, international chains, convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, GS25), major shopping malls with reduced hours, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. Closed mùng 1 to mùng 3: most local family restaurants, traditional markets, government offices, banks, smaller cafés. Reopening progressively from mùng 4 onward.

What are the must-try traditional Tet foods?

The five iconic dishes are bánh tét (southern cylindrical sticky rice cake), thịt kho hột vịt (caramelised pork with duck eggs), canh khổ qua nhồi thịt (stuffed bitter melon soup), mứt Tết (candied fruit assortment), and xôi gấc (red sticky rice). Hotels and heritage restaurants serve full Tết menus by reservation.

Can foreign visitors join Tet celebrations?

Absolutely. Tourists are warmly welcomed at public celebrations — the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street, riverside fireworks, and pagoda visits. Greeting locals with Chúc Mừng Năm Mới and accepting lì xì (lucky money) with both hands and a smile is appreciated. Private family gatherings on mùng 1 are intimate; entry is by personal invitation only.

How early should I book a Tet 2027 hotel in Saigon?

For peak Tet 2027 dates (4-9 February 2027), book between September and November 2026 for the best availability and rates. District 1 boutique hotel and four/five-star properties near the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street and Saigon River sell out earliest. Direct booking with the hotel typically offers better cancellation flexibility than third-party platforms during the holiday window.

Should I give lucky money (lì xì) — etiquette for tourists?

Tourists are not expected to give lì xì, but a small token (10,000-50,000 VND in a crisp new note inside a red envelope) is a gracious gesture to children, hotel staff who serve you, or a Vietnamese friend’s family if visiting their home. Always offer with both hands and a smile. Even or odd amounts are both acceptable; avoid the number 4 (associated with misfortune).

Is the Saigon River fireworks show on Tet 2027 free for tourists?

Yes — the midnight Tết Eve fireworks (5 February 2027) launched from the Saigon River area and Thủ Thiêm are free for public viewing from Bến Bạch Đằng Park, the riverside promenade, and the Thủ Thiêm pedestrian bridge. Arrive by 10:30pm for a comfortable spot. Rooftop bar reservations along Nguyễn Huệ and Đồng Khởi offer elevated views and require booking two-to-four weeks in advance.

Welcome the Year of the Goat with us

Stay at The Myst Đồng Khởi during Tet 2027 — five minutes from the Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street, four minutes from the Saigon River fireworks vantage, and surrounded by the quietest, most photogenic heritage corner of District 1. Our concierge speaks fluent English and will arrange flower-street walks, pagoda visits, calligraphy sessions, and private dining tailored to your travel rhythm.

→ Explore our rooms and Tết stay packages

→ Book direct for our best Tết 2027 rates

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Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is always bustling with the sounds of engines and horns from thousands of cars...