Vietnamese food is well known for its balanced use of herbs and spices, fresh ingredients, and vivid tastes. It offers a gastronomic trip from north to south, with each region showcasing its own unique delicacies and cooking techniques, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural past and geographical diversity.
Vietnam’s festivals and holidays provide a rich window into the history, values, and sense of community of the nation. These festivals highlight the rich culture and strong feeling of family and tradition that define Vietnamese life, whether they are monthly get-togethers like the Hoi An Lantern Festival or large festivities like Tết.
In this article we will give you the biggest festivals and holidays in Vietnam.
Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year)
The most important and widely observed holiday in Vietnam is Tết Nguyên Đán, also referred to as Tết or the Lunar New Year. According to the lunar calendar, it usually occurs in late January or early February and signifies the start of spring. It is a time for family get-togethers, honoring ancestors, and ringing in the New Year with prosperity, health, and hope.
Families start cleaning their homes extensively weeks before Tết in an effort to remove ill luck and create room for good fortune. Peach blossoms, which represent rebirth and prosperity, are traditionally used as decorations in the north and apricot blooms in the south. With their vivid orange fruits, kumquat trees are also well-liked as symbols of prosperity and joy.
Families get together for Giao Thừa, a unique rite to bid the previous year farewell and welcome the new one, on New Year’s Eve. At family altars, offerings of food, incense, and flowers are made to the ancestors as a sign of respect and appreciation for their blessings and protection.
During Tết festivities, traditional meals are essential. Famous meals prepared with glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork wrapped in banana leaves are Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cake) in the north and Bánh Tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake) in the south. These cakes stand for harmony and unity by symbolizing the earth and the sky.
In order to wish one another health and success, individuals visit friends, family, and temples in the early days of the New Year. As a sign of good fortune, children frequently get lì xì, which are red envelopes containing lucky money.
Dragon and lion dances, which are performed to ward off bad luck and provide good fortune, are among the cultural events that take place around this period. The celebratory mood is enhanced by fireworks displays and classic games like the gambling game bầu cua cá cọp.
Tết Nguyên Đán is the most treasured festival in Vietnam because it combines family customs, ancestral worship, and aspirations for a prosperous future into a profound cultural experience.
Hùng Kings’ Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương)
Every year on the tenth day of the third lunar month, one of Vietnam’s most significant national holidays is the Hùng Kings’ Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương). The Hùng Kings, the fabled founders and first Vietnamese monarchs, are honored at the event. It is thought that they founded the first Vietnamese state, Văn Lang, circa 2879 BCE. During this occasion, the country honors its ancestors and celebrates Vietnamese unity and legacy.
The Hùng Temple Complex on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain in Phú Thọ Province is the focal point of the festivities. To take part in the celebrations, thousands of pilgrims come from all around the nation. As a sign of reverence for the ancestors, people frequently bring offerings such fruits, incense, and sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng and bánh dày) on their pilgrimage-style ascent up the hundreds of stairs to the temple.
In keeping with the old myth that the Hùng Kings taught the Vietnamese how to grow rice, the primary ceremony is the giving of these traditional meals at the Hùng Temple. The earth is represented by bánh chưng, a square sticky rice cake, and the sky by bánh dày, a circular sticky rice cake that depicts the balance between heaven and earth.
Additionally, the festival showcases the rich cultural history of numerous ethnic groups in Vietnam through a variety of cultural acts, such as folk music, traditional dances, and martial arts exhibitions. Traditional games like human chess, wrestling, and bamboo swings are played, giving the occasion a festive feel.
In addition to honoring the nation’s founders, the Hùng Kings’ Festival celebrates togetherness and pride in the country. It acts as a reminder of Vietnam’s long history and the timeless cultural principles that have been upheld over the years. The worship of the Hùng Kings was acknowledged by UNESCO in 2012 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its importance in maintaining Vietnamese cultural identity.
Reunification Day (April 30)
Vietnam’s Reunification Day, celebrated on April 30, commemorates a significant turning point in the country’s history: the reunification of North and South Vietnam and the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1975. It honors the North Vietnamese forces’ conquest of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), which resulted in the overthrow of the South Vietnamese government, which the United States supported. This event is regarded as the start of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s unification, after more than 20 years of conflict and discord.
Vietnam commemorates the tenacity and sacrifices made by people who battled for freedom and unification on Reunification Day. Red flags, banners, and posters with pictures of troops, national heroes, and the hammer and sickle insignia fill the streets of major cities, particularly Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. To honor the spirit of triumph and patriotism, parades, patriotic performances, and cultural events are planned. Large crowds assemble in front of the Reunification Palace (previously the Presidential Palace), where tanks famously crashed through the gates to signify the end of the war, in Ho Chi Minh City, the location of the historic event.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other large cities are illuminated with fireworks displays, which are a highlight of the evening. Music performances, traditional dances, and re-enactments that portray the moment of reunification and the nation’s path towards peace and development accompany these events.
For elder generations who lived through the conflict, Reunification Day is also a moment for introspection. It acts as a reminder of the nation’s hardships and the value of independence, peace, and unity. Younger generations use the day to understand the historical significance of the Vietnam War and to recognize the stability and advancement the country has seen since 1975.
International Labor Day (May 1)
Like many other countries throughout the world, Vietnam celebrates International Labor Day, sometimes called May Day, on May 1. This day is devoted to celebrating the accomplishments of laborer and workers, emphasizing their role in the country’s social and economic advancement. People in Vietnam have the opportunity to enjoy a long holiday weekend as it is a public holiday and frequently coincides with Reunification Day on April 30.
The late 19th-century labor movements that promoted the eight-hour workweek, fair salaries, and improved working conditions are where International Labor Day had its start. The holiday has been celebrated in Vietnam since the early 20th century, and its significance increased following the country’s independence when the labor movement closely matched the objectives of social equality and national liberation.
Labor unions and local governments arrange parades, rallies, and other celebrations in cities and towns throughout Vietnam on May 1. Red flags, banners, and posters with messages of unity, worker rights, and patriotism are frequently used to adorn the streets. Labor leaders and government representatives typically give statements at these gatherings to honor the efforts and accomplishments of Vietnamese laborer’s.
The emphasis has shifted in recent years from merely honoring labor to tackling concerns like workplace safety, fair salaries, and workers’ rights. It acts as a reminder of the continuous attempts to raise the standard of living for laborer’s in Vietnam’s quickly expanding economy.
International Labor Day is also a time for many Vietnamese to unwind and spend time with loved ones. Families frequently make the most of the longer vacation by going on quick excursions, going to parks, or engaging in outdoor activities. The day emphasizes the value of work in constructing the future of the country by combining celebration, activism, and leisure.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)
The 15th day of the eighth lunar month, typically in September or October, is the date of the beloved Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam. Families get together during this time, especially the kids who are the center of attention. Because of the extra attention given to children and the emphasis on themes of love, family, and the harvest, the festival is also known as the Children’s Festival.
Tết Trung Thu has roots in lunar worship and agricultural traditions that go back more than a millennium. Traditionally, it is a time to pray for good fortune and express gratitude for the harvest. The full moon, which is regarded as the year’s most beautiful and brightest moon, represents reunion, prosperity, and fullness.
The lantern procession is one of the Mid-Autumn Festival’s most recognizable elements. In the evening, children parade through the streets holding vibrant lanterns shaped like dragons, carp, and stars. As families come together to celebrate, these lanterns, which stand for hope and light, light up the night.
Family members and friends exchange mooncakes, a customary festival treat. These circular pastries, which symbolize the full moon and the concept of completeness, are frequently filled with salted egg yolks, lotus seed paste, or red bean paste. They are the focal point of the event because of their exquisite decorations and elaborate patterns.
Lion dances, in which dancers dressed as lions move briskly to the rhythm of drums, are among the festival’s exciting attractions. This is thought to ward against bad luck and provide good fortune.
Tết Trung Thu is a time for Vietnamese families to cherish their time together, think back on the previous year, and make wishes for future happiness and success. In Vietnamese culture, it continues to be one of the most eagerly awaited and joyous occasions, signifying the ties of family and the delight of being together.
Vietnamese Independence Day (September 2)
A major national holiday in Vietnam, Vietnamese Independence Day is observed on September 2 to honor the nation’s 1945 proclamation of independence from French colonial authority. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was formally proclaimed to have been born on this day when President Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence in Hanoi’s Ba Đình Square. With this proclamation, nearly a century of French colonialism came to an end, and Vietnam’s fight for full sovereignty began.
Across the nation, parades, cultural events, and patriotic celebrations are held to commemorate the day. The center of the festivities in the capital city of Hanoi is Ba Đình Square. To honor the nation’s founding, thousands of citizens, government representatives, and tourists gather there for a huge flag-raising ceremony. To demonstrate the nation’s strength and solidarity and to highlight its achievements since gaining independence, military parades and demonstrations are held.
A celebratory mood is created throughout the nation as Vietnamese flags, banners, and photographs of Hồ Chí Minh cover the streets. Major towns like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are known for their stunning fireworks shows, which light up the night sky and attract large crowds of friends and family.
Vietnamese Independence Day is a day to reflect on the nation’s history and its protracted struggle for independence in addition to celebrating. It acts as a reminder of the Vietnamese people’s tenacity and the sacrifices made by those who battled for independence. Many people also view it as a time to commemorate their country’s accomplishments and growth over the years.
All things considered, Vietnam comes together on September 2 to commemorate its history, enjoy its present, and hope for more peace, prosperity, and development in the future.
Perfume Pagoda Festival
One of Vietnam’s biggest and most significant Buddhist celebrations, the Perfume Pagoda Festival (Lễ hội Chùa Hương) draws pilgrims and visitors from all around the nation. It is held in Hanoi in the Perfume Pagoda, a huge complex of temples and shrines tucked away in the Hương Sơn limestone highlands. The festival is a colorful and protracted celebration of spirituality and nature that usually starts on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (February) and lasts until the end of March.
A crucial component of the experience is the drive to the Perfume Pagoda. In little boats, tourists traverse the Yen Stream via picturesque rice terraces and verdant surroundings. With breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains and an opportunity to take in Vietnam’s natural beauty, the boat trip provides a peaceful beginning to the pilgrimage.
After arriving at the foot of the mountain, pilgrims set out to see the primary shrine, Huong Tich Cave, which is also referred to as the “Cave of the Traces of Fragrance.” The cave is regarded as the center of the pilgrimage because it is located deep within the mountain. The natural altars formed by stalactites and stalagmites within are thought to bestow blessings and good fortune when touched. Pilgrims bring offerings of flowers, fruits, and vegetarian food, offer incense, and pray for success, health, and fortune.
The festival is full with exciting cultural events, such as folk games and performances of traditional music, which liven up the somber trip. A lively environment is created by the vendors lining the walkways, offering souvenirs and regional specialties.
In addition to being a religious occasion, the Perfume Pagoda Festival honors Vietnamese tradition and culture. It provides a singular chance for tourists to engage in one of the most cherished cultural traditions of the nation, experience traditional Vietnamese spirituality, and establish a connection with the natural world.
Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival
One of the most stunning yearly events in Vietnam is the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), which draws thousands of visitors and residents to the seaside city of Đà Nẵng. One of Asia’s most renowned pyrotechnic events, the festival usually takes place over many weeks from April to June and includes stunning firework displays by teams from all around the world.
Since its initial introduction in 2008, the festival has developed into a significant cultural event that has helped Đà Nẵng establish a reputation as a bustling travel destination. The event is situated alongside the Hàn River, which offers a breath-taking backdrop of the city’s illuminated cityscape and famous bridges including the Hàn River Bridge and the Dragon Bridge. An amazing sight is produced by the fireworks’ reflections on the water.
A theme, like “The Legend of Bridges,” “Shining with Marble Mountains,” or “Love of the Rivers,” is chosen for the festival each year, and teams are encouraged to base their displays on these ideas. Top teams from nations like Italy, Japan, the United States, France, and China usually compete in a knockout format over a number of nights. The audience is left in awe of the compelling audio-visual display that is produced when the fireworks are timed to music.
The festival features a range of cultural acts and events in addition to the fireworks. The vibrant mood is enhanced by street parades, dancing performances, traditional Vietnamese music, and food vendors. The occasion acts as a demonstration of Đà Nẵng’s cultural vitality and allure as a travel destination.
In addition to showcasing foreign talent, the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival enhances Vietnam’s reputation as a venue for top-notch cultural events. It is a must-see for anybody traveling to the city during the festival season since it provides a singular experience of light, sound, and innovation.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Every month, the historic Vietnamese town of Hoi An hosts the Hoi An Lantern Festival. The celebration, which is held on the fourteenth day of each lunar month, falls during the full moon, which is seen as auspicious in Vietnamese culture. One of the most captivating experiences in Vietnam, the festival turns the UNESCO World Heritage Site into a mystical setting with vibrant lanterns, music, and customary activities.
Only lantern light illuminates Hoi An’s old streets during the event. The town is enveloped in a calm and enchanted ambiance as the electric lights are turned out and thousands of lanterns shine their gentle, warm glow. The silk lanterns, which come in a variety of sizes and forms, are strung across the Thu Bồn River, around buildings, and along roadways to create a breath-taking show of color and light.
The custom of floating lanterns on the river is one of the festival’s highlights. Both locals and tourists wish for success, happiness, and good health by releasing tiny paper lanterns with candles onto the sea. Numerous lanterns floating down the river represent the hope for fresh starts and the release of bad luck, making for a serene and captivating picture.
Another opportunity to experience traditional Vietnamese culture is at the Hoi An Lantern Festival. Folk music, dancing, and games like bài chòi (a combination of a game and folk singing) fill the streets. Activities available to visitors include learning how to create lanterns, writing calligraphy, and sampling regional cuisine at street food vendors.
This monthly event, which provides a window into Hoi An’s cultural legacy, draws both locals and visitors. The festival captures the ageless charm of this ancient town and is a must-see for anybody traveling to Vietnam because of its unique blend of history, culture, and aesthetic splendor.
Tết Đoan Ngọ (Mid-Year Festival)
On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Vietnam celebrates Tết Đoan Ngọ, also called the Mid-Year Festival or Double Fifth Festival. Vietnamese families use the holiday, which has strong roots in East Asian culture, to honor their ancestors, ward off sickness, and drive off bad luck. It has thousands of years of history and is still a significant cultural event, particularly in rural areas.
The term Đoan Ngọ, which translates to “the start of midday,” denotes the height of summer and the sun’s intensity. Another name for the holiday is “Tết diệt sâu bọ,” which means “the day to kill insects.” It represents the conventional wisdom that the body should be cleansed at this time.
Eating particular meals that are thought to purify the body and get rid of impurities is a major component of Tết Đoan Ngọ. Bánh tro (ash cake), a glutinous rice cake soaked in lye water, is one of the most well-liked delicacies. It has a somewhat bitter flavor and a noticeable yellow hue. This cake is thought to have cleansing qualities and is consumed with honey or syrup. Fermented sticky rice wine, or rượu nếp, is another popular dish. It tastes sweet and a little sour. Because it is believed to aid in the removal of parasites from the digestive system, it is customarily consumed in the morning.
Families also carry out customs at home on this day, praying for good health, good fortune, and protection from evil spirits while presenting fruits, flowers, and incense at the ancestral shrine.
Combining traditional customs, medical procedures, and cultural beliefs, Tết Đoan Ngọ is a one-of-a-kind celebration that provides an intriguing look into Vietnam’s rich history and its values of family and the environment.
