Top 8 Festivals and Holidays in Vietnam You Shouldn’t Miss

8 Festivals and Holidays in Vietnam To Attend

1. Lunar New Year (Tet Holidays)

Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. Celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically in late January or early February, this festival marks a fresh start, rich in tradition and symbolism.

At its heart, Tet is a time for family. Many Vietnamese travel back to their hometowns to pay respects to ancestors, prepare special meals, and decorate their homes with peach blossoms or kumquat trees. But visitors are more than welcome to join the celebration.

Across the country, you’ll find vibrant flower markets, cultural performances, and bustling streets lit up with red and gold. On Tet Eve, the energy peaks as locals gather to watch fireworks and make wishes for prosperity.

2. Lim Festival

Held on the 12th or 13th day of the first lunar month, Lim Festival is a joyful spring celebration rooted in the cultural heart of northern Vietnam. Taking place in Bac Ninh Province, this festival honors Hieu Trung Hau, the festival’s patron, and showcases the rich traditions of the Red River Delta.

At the center of the celebration is quan họ singing, a UNESCO-recognized form of Vietnamese folk music. Dressed in traditional attire, pairs of men and women perform poetic duets, sometimes while standing on elaborately decorated dragon boats that glide across the lake. Their melodic voices echo through the air, creating a serene yet captivating experience.

3. Hue Festival & Hue Craft Village Festival

Set in the former imperial capital of Hue, these annual festivals provide a deep dive into Vietnam’s rich royal heritage and enduring craftsmanship. Held alternately each year, usually from late April to early May, the Hue Festival and Hue Craft Village Festival transform the city into a living museum of art, culture, and history.

During the Hue Festival, the ancient Imperial Citadel becomes the stage for grand historical reenactments, traditional court music (Nha nhac), and international performances. Streets fill with parades, ao dài shows, and night markets, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

In alternating years, the Hue Craft Village Festival highlights the region’s artisanal heritage. Craft villages from across Thua Thien Hue Province display time-honored skills in pottery, wood carving, conical hat making, silk weaving, and more.

4. Hung Kings Temple Festival

Held annually from the 8th to the 11th day of the third lunar month (typically in April or early May), the Hung Kings Temple Festival pays tribute to King Hung Vuong, the legendary founder of Vietnam’s first dynasty. This national celebration honors the country’s deep historical roots and ancestral reverence.

The festival takes place at the Hung Temple Complex in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province, a sacred site believed to be the cradle of Vietnamese civilization. On the eve of the main event, locals and visitors release hundreds of lanterns into the night sky, symbolizing respect and remembrance.

On the day of the festival, thousands of pilgrims don traditional dress and ascend Nghia Linh Mountain, carrying offerings in vibrant processions. Ceremonial drumming, folk performances, and solemn rituals bring Vietnam’s founding legend vividly to life.

5. Ghost Festival (Vu Lan)

Observed on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (usually in late August or early September), Vietnam’s Ghost Festival, also known as Vu Lan or Wandering Souls Day, is a deeply spiritual occasion rooted in Buddhist and ancestral traditions.

Vietnamese believe that on this day, the spirit world opens, allowing ancestral souls and wandering spirits to return to the human realm. It’s a time for remembrance, compassion, and offerings.

Families visit ancestral graves, light incense, and lay out offerings of food, flowers, and fruits. At night, rituals include the burning of paper money, clothes, and symbolic items to provide for loved ones in the afterlife. In temples, people pray not only for their own ancestors but also for lost or forgotten souls.

6. Vietnamese Independence Day

Celebrated every year on September 2, Vietnamese Independence Day marks a defining moment in the nation's history. On this day in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Declaration of Independence in Ba Dinh Square, officially establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and marking the end of French colonial rule.

Today, this historic event is commemorated with patriotic fervor across the country. Streets are adorned with red flags bearing the yellow star, and public buildings display banners celebrating national pride. In major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the day features military parades, marching bands, and evening fireworks that light up the sky.

The atmosphere is festive and welcoming, with citizens filling parks, squares, and cafés to join in the collective spirit of independence. For visitors, it’s a unique opportunity to witness modern Vietnamese patriotism in full swing.

7. Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)

Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, typically in September or early October, Vietnam’s Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tết Trung Thu, is a joyful occasion that places children at the heart of the celebration.

The festival is known for its enchanting lantern processions, lion dances, and vibrant street performances. Kids carry star-shaped lanterns, wear colorful masks, and receive gifts of toys, mooncakes, and sweet treats. Streets come alive with the beat of drums and the swaying rhythm of traditional lion dancers.

Families often gather in their courtyards or gardens to share tea and mooncakes while admiring the full harvest moon, a symbol of reunion and prosperity. In Vietnamese culture, Tết Trung Thu is not just for fun; it's a cherished time for family bonding and expressing love to children.

8. Ooc Om Boc - Khmer People’s Celebration

Celebrated on the 14th night of the 10th lunar month (usually in late November or early December), Ooc Om Boc is a vibrant and spiritual festival held by the Khmer ethnic community in the Mekong Delta, especially in Sóc Trăng Province.

This festival gives thanks to the Moon God for blessing the year’s rice harvest and protecting the people. Communities gather along riverbanks and in village squares to offer prayers, release floating lanterns, and enjoy a night of traditional Khmer singing, dancing, and feasting.

The undisputed highlight is the dramatic Ngo boat race, a longboat competition that draws thousands of cheering spectators. These colorful, dragon-headed boats are rowed by skilled teams to the beat of gongs and drums, creating an electrifying, carnival-like atmosphere.