Vietnamese public holidays - Holidays in Vietnam for foreign tourists

1. New Year: 1 day off on the 1 January

2. Traditional New Year or Tết Nguyên Đán: 5 days off, 2 last days and 3 first days of the last and first months on the lunar calendar.

3. HUNG KINGS Festival: 1 day off, 10th day of the third month of the lunar calendar. In 2023, the festival falls on 29 April.

4. Reunification Day: 30 April – 1 day off

5. International Labor Day: 01 May – 1 day off

6. National Day: 02 September – 1 day off

 

Vietnam holidays in 2023

 

Date Weekday Holiday Name Holiday Type
1-Jan-2023 Sunday New Year’s Day National holiday
21-Jan-2023 Saturday Vietnamese New Year’s Eve National holiday
22-Jan-2023 Sunday Vietnamese New Year, Tết National holiday
23-Jan-2023 Monday Tet holiday National holiday
24-Jan-2023 Tuesday Tet holiday National holiday
14-Feb-2023 Tuesday Valentine’s Day Observance
10-Mar-2023 Friday International Women’s Day Observance
29-Apr-2023 Saturday Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day National holiday
30-Apr-2023 Sunday Liberation Day/Reunification Day National holiday
1-May-2023 Monday International Labor Day National holiday
28-Jun-2023 Wednesday Vietnamese Family Day Observance
2-Sep-2023 Saturday Independence Day National holiday
20-Oct-2023 Friday Vietnamese Women’s Day Observance
31-Oct-2023 Tuesday Halloween Observance
24-Dec-2023 Sunday Christmas Eve Observance
25-Dec-2023 Monday Christmas Day Observance
31-Dec-2023 Sunday International New Year’s Eve Observance

Top 10 Tours for Holidays in Vietnam

9.8 Excellent - 2 reviews
We can highly recommend IDC Travel to organize all accommodation, trips, travel and visas while in Vietnam. We were assisted by Mr Alex Duy who was highly efficient and provided a great service. Thank you IDC Travel.
Natalie Yermakova
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta
8 Days/ 7 Nights
from
US $690 p/p
9.9 Excellent - 3 reviews
We can highly recommend IDC Travel to organize all accommodation, trips, travel and visas while in Vietnam. We were assisted by Mr Alex Duy who was highly efficient and provided a great service. Thank you IDC Travel.
Dagbjört Árnadóttir
Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long - Hue - Hoi An - Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong
17 Days/ 16 Nights
from
US $1,292 p/p
9.9 Excellent - 2 reviews
The guide knew the area very well and spoke good English. The beach is beautiful and maybe because of the virus fewer people travelling, or maybe because of the location and the timing, but it felt like we had the whole area to ourselves. The food and fruits are also delicious.
Cecilie Knudsen
Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Saigon
10 Days/ 9 Nights
from
US $1,996 p/p
9.9 Excellent - 6 reviews
The guide knew the area very well and spoke good English. The beach is beautiful and maybe because of the virus fewer people travelling, or maybe because of the location and the timing, but it felt like we had the whole area to ourselves. The food and fruits are also delicious.
Cliff J. Little
Hanoi > Halong > Saigon > Cu Chi Tunnels > Mui Ne > Phu Quoc
14 Days/ 13 Nights
from
US $1,183 p/p
10.0 Excellent - 2 reviews
Our group of 6 adults booked a private tour with IDC in February 2023 to visit North Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island. One thing that makes IDC different from other travel agencies is the prompt and courteous response from Alex and his staff. We always got a text or phone back within the next hours. Our requests for accommodation in Sapa, Yen Tu, and Hanoi were difficult, but IDC did it without a glitch. The arrangements for car, guide, driver, restaurant suggestions and domestic air travel were perfect and satisfied our demands. We had used several travel agencies in Vietnam in previous trips, but we could say that IDC surpasses our expectations. We can recommend IDC without hesitation.
Amy North
Saigon - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang - Da Nang - Hoi An
9 Days/ 8 Nights
from
US $738 p/p
9.9 Excellent - 2 reviews
Our trip to Vietnam/Cambodia started in 2019 then the world shut down! We finally went on our bucket list trip in February 2023! Alex was instrumental in ensuring our trip was a 5 star experience! From the beginning of the planning to the end of our trip all details were documented and when we asked for a change during the trip Alex was quick to ensure the change was completed in a timely manner. Everything from the tour guides seeing so many wonderful sites in Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa (Vietnam) to many temples, Angkor Wat in Cambodia. WOW! is all I have to say we had such a great time with IDC Travel's organization. I would highly recommend booking a trip with IDC and I will again in the near future. Thank you!
Nina Lange
Siem Reap- Phnom Penh -Saigon - Mekong - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong
16 Days/ 15 Nights
from
US $2,597 p/p
10.0 Excellent - 1 reviews
Hi Alex, we have just returned to Australia. We extend our heartfelt thanks for meticulously organizing a well-planned tour, including your dedicated time even on weekends. Our experience was greatly enhanced by the exceptional drivers, tour guides, and hotels. We genuinely appreciate the prompt arrangements you made to assist our parents with their airport check-in, even with short notice. As we look to the future, we wish you all the best, and we wholeheartedly recommend you and your IDC Travel to our friends without any hesitation. Your efforts contributed to our memorable journey.
Abigail Leeson
Hanoi > Halong > Ninh Binh > Da Nang > Hoi An > Saigon > Mekong delta
12 Days/ 11 Nights
from
US $1,798 p/p
9.9 Excellent - 4 reviews
The guide knew the area very well and spoke good English. The beach is beautiful and maybe because of the virus fewer people travelling, or maybe because of the location and the timing, but it felt like we had the whole area to ourselves. The food and fruits are also delicious.
Lily Morgan
Ho Chi Minh - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang - Quy Nhon - Hoi An
13 Days/ 12 Nights
from
US $2,025 p/p
9.8 Excellent - 1 reviews
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we were highly satisfied with most of the tour guides, activities, and hotels, making our journey smooth and enjoyable. We'd certainly choose IDC Travel for our future Southeast Asia adventures. Our apologies for the delay in providing this feedback. We genuinely appreciated working with you and the majority of the tour guides you arranged for us.
Anna Jurová
Saigon > Mekong Delta > Danang > Hoi An > Hanoi > Halong Bay
12 Days/ 11 Nights
from
US $1,831 p/p

Vietnam Holiday by Themes

General Vietnam Travel Guide

Need-to-know Vietnam information for visitors making a Vietnam holiday

General information

Country name: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam – CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM

Capital: Hanoi

Flag: Rectangular in shape with its width equal to two-thirds of its length. In the middle of the fresh red background is a bright five-pointed golden star.

Currency: Vietnam ĐỒNG (VND or đ) is a mix of paper and polymer bills, valued from 10,000 VND to 500,000 VND. No coins are used in Vietnam.

The population as of 2021: 97,47 million

Exchange rate as of March 29th, 2023: 1 US$ ~ 23,485 VND

Time zone: GMT + 7

Vietnam is situated on the eastern coast of the mainland of Southeast Asia, sharing the border with China to the North, Laos to the West, and Cambodia to the Southwest.

Climate

Vietnam is located in the sub-tropical area, lying between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, with 2 climate sections, The North and The Central + the South.

In Northern Vietnam, the winter/dry season is from November to March, it is cold with the temperature sometimes falling to 5°c or even below zero in mountainous areas. This is the best time to explore Northern Vietnam. The summer/rainy season runs from mid-April to mid-October. At this duration, the average temperature in Hanoi is about 28°c – 34°C with an annual rainfall of 170 cm. In the mountainous area, the annual rainfall may exceed 400mm.

The south is more tropical with the temperatures in the Central (Da Nang) and the South (Ho Chi Minh City) varying from 20 – 35°c throughout the year.

Ethnic groups

There are 54 groups in Vietnam, and the Viet group (or Kinh) accounts for nearly 90% of the population.

Languages

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese.

Transportations

The main means of transportation for Vietnamese people are motorbikes. Cars are becoming more and more popular in recent years.

Vietnam also has a long railways system across the country which was first built in the early 1900s by the French and a total of about 20 airports spreading throughout the country. There are many flights between the North, Central, and South.

Packing list

Passport/visa (if required), Vaccination, Travel Insurance, Flight tickets, Credit/debit card, some cash, etc.

Immigration regulations

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date with at least one blank page.

Vietnam visa exemption: Passport holders from European countries (including Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and the United Kingdom) can visit Vietnam in less than 15 days without a visa.

If you are required a visa to get into Vietnam, please read our directions on Vietnam visa.

Holiday plan

Vietnam is an elongated country with an abundance of attractions from North to South. It depends on your time and budget to decide how many days for your trip. If you intend to visit only one destination, less than a week is enough. However, to discover Vietnam from North to South, we recommend you spend at least 8 days on your trip. Traveling for 13 days or more, you will have a chance to visit neighboring countries such as Laos and Cambodia.

For more ideas, you can visit our Vietnam Itineraries.

Money

In Vietnam, only Vietnam Dong (VND) is accepted in any transactions. At some places like hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, etc., travelers can use $USD, $AU, or Euro to pay for goods and services.

Tourists can exchange money at Vietnam banks which are easily found at airports and big cities.

Check the amount of money that one person can bring into Vietnam before starting your trip. You will need to report to the immigration department in Vietnam if you bring more than US $5000 (per person). It is advisable to exchange your money at a bank in Vietnam for a better exchange rate. Check daily exchange rates here.

Electricity, Phone & Internet

– In Vietnam, we used 220V, 50Hz and 2 & 3 – pin electricity sockets. Most hotels provide electric outlets with many plug shapes. Universal travel adaptors are needed if you travel with many devices.

– Wifi connection is relatively good in any hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants in Vietnam. However, before traveling to mountainous areas, we recommend you prepare a SIM Card with 3G or 4G service. Check with us if you need a free SIM Card in Vietnam.

With over 3000 kilometers of coastal line and over 4000 years of history, Vietnam is well-known for its rich history, culture, stunning beaches, rivers, well-preserved nature landscapes, Buddhist pagodas as well as bustling cities. These are the top 5 Vietnam travel destinations travelers you should not miss during your trips to Vietnam:

 

Halong Bay

This UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vietnam is famous for its beauty and mysterious allure. Halong Bay attracts travelers and adventurers with thousands of islets and islands raising from calm water. Conveniently located in northern Vietnam, 180 kilometers from Hanoi, 2 or 3 nights on Halong Bay cruises is a must-try experience for any visitors spending a holiday in Vietnam.

 

 


Hanoi

Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is well-known among international tourists as an old and beautiful city. With more than 1000 years of history, Hanoi is famous for its friendly people, amazing street foods, French colonial buildings, Hanoi Old Quarter, many museums, etc. Taking a tour around Hanoi will also give visitors an unforgettable experience.

 

 


Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Town

30 kilometers from Da Nang beach city locates the lovely Hoi An Ancient Town. It is actually a living museum and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting a lot of tourists every year.

Visiting Hoi An, you can walk or cycle through unique-architectural structures such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Ancient Houses, and nearby vegetable or fishing villages.

 


Nha Trang Beach City

Nha Trang beach

Located nearly 500 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can get to Nha Trang by daily trains or 1-hour flights from Ho Chi Minh City. There are also 2-hour daily flights from Hanoi to this beach city.

Nha Trang is famous for many long sandy beaches. Travelers can choose a budget hotel in town or a luxury beach resort to enjoy their vacation in Nha Trang. Here, there are many interesting activities to join, such as surfing, snorkeling, bicycle tours, spa treatments, meditation & yoga, etc.

 


Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta -Vietnam Day trips

Considered the rice basket of Vietnam, the Mekong delta covers a large agricultural land area in the South of the country with a complex river system. Travelers can visit Mekong Delta in a 1-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City or up to 5 days in the area.

Visit the Mekong Delta, you will see amazing local people’s activities; such as children riding on the back of a water buffalo, girls cycling through country lanes in white ao dai, market vendors grinning behind stacks of fruit, farmers stopping in a sea of emerald; etc.

Join a cooking class

Vietnam is considered the “kitchen of the world” thanks to its delicious dishes. Joining a cooking class, which is available in many cities, and enjoying your own products would be an unforgettable experience.

Visit night-walking streets in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are the realms of exotic life. If you visit these cities at weekend, be sure to visit the night-walking streets to see how bustling they are. This is also a chance for you to enjoy delicious Vietnamese street foods.

Enjoy Tết, the Vietnamese Traditional New Year Festival with local people

If you are going to spend your holidays in Vietnam during late January or early February, do not miss the chance to enjoy the warm atmosphere of the Vietnamese New Year festival with a local family. Tết is the most important time for the Vietnamese people and you will be treated as a very important guest at that time.

Relax on the beach

Spending your holiday time on sunny beaches is also a smart choice during the Vietnam holidays. This country is home to several world-famous beaches namely Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, etc. which are fresh and sunny all year round.

Camping

With many well-preserved parks, Vietnam is also a wonderful destination for camping trips. Cuc Phuong, Cat Ba National Parks in the North, Tra Su, Nam Cat Tien National Park in the South, or Da Lat city in Central Highland are favorable options.

The summer holiday (school holiday) in Vietnam typically runs from June to early August. During this time, Vietnamese families often opt for beach destinations such as Ha Long, Da Nang, and Nha Trang for their vacations, resulting in higher-than-usual crowds at these locations.


Please note that airfares and train fares are typically more expensive during public holidays. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that tickets tend to be sold out very quickly, especially one month prior to the 30 April/01 May and Tet holidays. Please contact IDC Travel for assistance in purchasing Vietnam domestic air tickets and train tickets at affordable prices.


During the Vietnam holidays, especially the Tet holiday, many tourist spots, restaurants, shopping centers, etc. are closed (maybe on the third day of Tet or for the whole holiday). However, Vietnam beaches are normally uncrowded and ideal for international tourists to indulge in the pristine clear water and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. We highly recommend you visit destinations, such as:

  • Sapa
  • Ha Long
  • Da Nang – Hoi An
  • Nha Trang
  • Da Lat
  • Phu Quoc
  • Mekong Delta

On the other hand, avoid famous beach destinations, such as Ha Long, Sam Son, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau on other national holidays in Vietnam as they will be crowded with domestic tourists.


If you plan to visit Vietnam during public holidays, especially in the first three days of the Tet holiday, it’s essential to consult a travel agency about destinations, visas, transportation, and accommodations. Additionally, take caution with your belongings when visiting crowded sites and avoid flaunting valuable items like jewelry, cash, or expensive cameras.


Vietnamese people consider Tet to be the most significant holiday in the country. Despite the hectic pace of modern life, everyone makes an effort to prepare for and decorate during this festive season. Typically, families spend time together indoors, and the majority of stores, shopping malls, museums, and restaurants will be closed.


During the Tet holiday, the weather in the North of Vietnam and Hanoi becomes warmer and sunny at times. The average temperature in Hanoi and Halong Bay ranges from 15 to 20°C with low humidity, whereas the highland travel areas of Sapa and Ha Giang remain cool. This season experiences less rainfall, making it one of the best times of the year to visit. However, some parts of Northern Vietnam may still be a bit chilly, so travelers should prepare warm clothing.

On the other hand, the Central and Southern areas of Vietnam, including Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta, are much warmer with an average temperature of around 26-30 °C. It is a great time to visit these places or relax on the beach.


  • Enjoy the cool weather of northern areas, such as Sapa, Ha Giang, and Mai Chau. They will be very quiet and tranquil during the Tet holiday.
  • Spend time cruising along Ha Long Bay, or relax on beaches in Da Nang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc.
  • Try some delicious traditional dishes of Vietnam, such as Banh Chung (steamed square cake), Nem (Spring Rolls), and xoi (sticky rice).
  • Take pictures of beautiful peach blossoms, kumquats, and colorful flowers throughout the country.

In general, the cost of traveling to Vietnam during the initial three days of the Tet holiday may increase by 20-30% compared to regular days. We suggest you refrain from traveling within the country and instead stay in one location during the first three days of Tet.


Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for a Vietnam visa since immigration offices are very busy before the Tet holiday. Check out the information on the Vietnam visa to know what you need to prepare.


The Tet holiday is not a peak season for domestic travel, so you don’t need to worry about shortages of hotel rooms. Some hotels even organize New Year celebrations for their guests, while others offer significant discounts, so book in advance to join the fun.


The climate in Vietnam is varied from region to region, which means that the best time to travel to the country in terms of the weather will depend on where precisely you go and which activities you join. Broadly speaking, though, Vietnam’s weather patterns can be split into north and south, with two monsoons affecting the climate. The winter monsoon running from October to March typically makes the north of the country cool and damp, while the south is dry and warm. From April/May to October, the summer monsoon generally leads the whole nation to become quite hot and humid, except for the mountains’ surroundings.


Western holidays are not official ones in Vietnam but they are getting more well-known among Vietnamese people. On Christmas and New Year’s Eve, many hotels will decorate their exterior and interior as well as serve holiday buffet dinners to customers. There will be countdown parties and celebrations in major cities such as Hanoi, HCMC, Nha Trang, etc. However, there are only a few hotels decorating for Easter and Thanksgiving and there will not be any holiday dinner served.


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