Vietnamese festivals and holidays are a vibrant reflection of the country’s rich culture and traditions. From the famous Tet Festival in Vietnam to lesser-known regional festivals, each festival in Vietnam embodies meaningful customs and joyful gatherings. Whether you’re a traveler, expat, or simply curious, understanding these celebrations, such as the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam and Tet holiday in Vietnam, helps you appreciate Vietnam’s unique heritage.
In this short guide, we’ll explore the most important festivals, including Vietnam public holidays and Tet festival in Vietnam, their cultural significance, and how locals celebrate them throughout the year.
Major Vietnamese Festivals
The most important festival in Vietnam is Tet Nguyen Dan, commonly known as Tet or Lunar New Year. Celebrated at the turn of the lunar calendar, Tet marks the beginning of spring and is the most sacred and joyous occasion in Vietnam. It is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and wishing for health and prosperity in the new year. Preparations start weeks in advance, with activities including house cleaning and decorating, preparing special foods and lucky money in red envelopes (li xi) given to children and elders for good fortune.
Other major festivals include:
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu): Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, this festival focuses on children and features lion dances, lantern parades, and mooncakes. It’s also a time to pray for harvest and happiness.
- Hung Kings’ Commemoration (Gio To Hung Vuong): Held on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, this national festival in Vietnam honors the legendary founding fathers of Vietnam, the Hung Kings. People visit the Hung Temple complex to perform rituals and pay respects.
- Perfume Pagoda Festival (Chua Huong): A multi-month pilgrimage beginning in late January and culminating around March, where thousands of devout Buddhists visit a vast cave temple believed to bring spiritual blessings.
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How Do Vietnamese People Celebrate?
Each festival in Vietnam has distinct customs deeply rooted in our culture:
- During Tet Festival in Vietnam, families gather to prepare traditional dishes such as banh chung (square sticky rice cake), boiled chicken, and pickled vegetables. Homes are adorned with kumquat trees and peach blossoms as symbols of prosperity and good luck. People also visit temples, exchange gifts and blessings for the New Year, and avoid negative words or actions to invite positive energy.
- The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is marked by vibrant lion dances accompanied by drums and gongs to scare away evil spirits. Children carry colorful lanterns through streets, symbolizing lighting their path to success and happiness. Mooncakes, often beautifully decorated, are gifted and shared.
- The Hung Kings’ Festival in Vietnam involves solemn processions, offerings of incense, fruit, and traditional performances that celebrate Vietnamese ethnicity and unity.
- Pilgrims visiting the Perfume Pagoda make boat trips along scenic rivers and climb mountain trails, performing rites to seek health and peace.
When are Vietnam Public Holidays?
Vietnam officially observes several public holidays that involve nationwide celebrations and days off work:
- Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year): Usually late January to February, lasting up to a week with closure of most businesses and streets buzzing with festivities.
- Reunification Day (April 30th): Marks the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, celebrated with parades and fireworks, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.
- International Labor Day (May 1st): A day honoring workers with official ceremonies and leisure activities.
- National Day (September 2nd): Commemorates Vietnam’s declaration of independence in 1945, with official events, military parades, and cultural programs.
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Regional Differences
Aside from shared holidays celebrated throughout the country, Vietnam’s diverse topography and multi-ethnic population lend unique characteristics to regional events:
- In the Northern Delta region, festivals often emphasize ancestor worship and traditional activities of storytelling, such as water puppet shows and theatrical plays. The Lim Festival showcases the UNESCO-recognized Quan Ho folk songs, which are melodic duets performed by men and women in traditional dress. Throughout the festival, visitors enjoy singing contests, folk games, and lively communal activities.
- The Central Highlands feature tribal festivals such as the Gong Festival, highlighting native music, dances, and rituals that celebrate agricultural cycles and community strength. Bronze percussion instruments called cong chieng are the rhythmic backbones to traditional tribal dances, symbolizing a spiritual connection to nature.
- In the South, festivals like the Khmer’s Ooc Om Boc lunar festival reflect the cultural practices of the ethnic minorities, including boat races and offerings to the water spirits. Southern festivals often weave together Khmer, Cham, and Vietnamese traditions, making the region a mosaic of cultural celebrations
Tips for Experiencing Vietnamese Festivals
To fully enjoy Vietnam’s festivals while honoring local customs:
- Dress modestly and respectfully, especially when visiting temples or religious sites.
- Observe rituals quietly and avoid interrupting sacred ceremonies or taking intrusive photos.
- Engage with locals by learning about the meaning behind traditions and participating when invited – for example, joining a lion dance or enjoying communal meals.
- Try traditional foods offered during festivals, as culinary customs are an integral part of the celebration.
- Be mindful of crowds and safety, especially during major festivals like Tet and the Perfume Pagoda pilgrimage, and follow guidance from local authorities and event organizers.
Vietnamese festivals and holidays, such as Tet Festival in Vietnam and Vietnam public holidays, are a living embodiment of Vietnam’s soul, history, and community spirit. By exploring their stories, participating with respect, and embracing the joyous atmosphere of events like the Mid Autumn Festival in Vietnam and Tet holiday in Vietnam, you’ll gain a profound appreciation for the richness and warmth of Vietnamese culture throughout the year.
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