TOP Vietnamese holidays and festivals you should know
May 22, 2025Vietnamese holidays are more than just days off—they are windows into the country’s culture, values, and spirit. From national celebrations to centuries-old traditions, each occasion brings communities together in unique and colorful ways. In this guide, let’s explore with AVVietnam the most important Vietnamese holidays and festivals that every traveler, expat, or culture enthusiast should know.
Public holidays in Vietnam
Many public holidays in Vietnam are rooted in history, honoring significant milestones, cultural values, and the spirit of unity.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day (January 1st) marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year and is recognized as a public holiday across Vietnam. While the celebrations are generally more low-key compared to the Lunar New Year, urban centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often hold countdown events, fireworks, and musical performances. It is a time when people reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead.
Lunar New Year (Tet)
Tet, or Lunar New Year, is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam. It usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar. The festival lasts from 5 to 7 days and is a time for family reunions, ancestral worship, and renewal.
Streets are decorated with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, red banners, and lanterns. Traditional foods like bánh chưng and pickled vegetables are prepared, and lucky money is given to children and elders. Tet reflects the deep-rooted cultural values of respect, harmony, and hope.
Lunar New Year in Vietnam
Hung Kings Commemoration Day
Celebrated on the 10th day of the third lunar month, this holiday honors the legendary Hung Kings, considered the founding ancestors of Vietnam. Official ceremonies are held at the Hung Kings Temple in Phu Tho Province, attracting thousands of pilgrims and visitors.
The day is an expression of national pride and gratitude toward the country’s mythical origins. It is also a time to educate younger generations about Vietnamese history and unity.
Reunification Day
Reunification Day (April 30th) marks the fall of Saigon in 1975, ending the Vietnam War and leading to the reunification of North and South Vietnam. This national holiday is observed with military parades, flag displays, and remembrance activities.
In major cities, people gather in public squares or watch documentaries and historical programs. For many, it is both a moment of reflection and a celebration of peace and sovereignty.
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day
International Labor Day
Taking place just one day after Reunification Day, International Labor Day is dedicated to workers’ rights and social progress. While it originated as a labor movement observance, in Vietnam, it is often celebrated as part of an extended holiday period. Many people use the occasion to travel, rest, or spend time with family. The day also highlights the contributions of workers to the nation's economic and social development.
Vietnam Independence Day
Independence Day (September 2nd) is one of the most significant Vietnamese holidays, commemorating the day President Ho Chi Minh declared independence from French colonial rule in 1945.
The occasion is marked by patriotic ceremonies, flag-raising rituals, and cultural performances. In Hanoi, crowds gather at Ba Dinh Square, where the declaration was first read. Streets are decorated with red and yellow flags, and the national anthem is played across the country. It is a powerful symbol of freedom, resilience, and national pride.
Major traditional festivals in Vietnam
Vietnam’s traditional festivals reflect the country’s deep cultural roots, blending folklore, spirituality, seasonal rhythms, and community values. These festivals are celebrated not only with rituals and performances but also with food, music, and colorful symbolism.
Ghost Festival (The 15th day of the 7th lunar month)
Occurring on the same date as Vu Lan, the Ghost Festival, or Tết Trung Nguyên, has more folk and spiritual origins. It is based on the belief that, during this time, the gates of the underworld open and wandering spirits return to the human world. To appease these souls and prevent misfortune, families make offerings of food, paper clothes, and incense, often left outdoors or at crossroads.
Unlike Vu Lan, which focuses on filial piety and personal devotion, the Ghost Festival emphasizes community-wide rituals to maintain harmony between the living and the spirit world. In some regions, large altars are set up in neighborhoods for collective offerings. This day highlights Vietnam’s rich spiritual beliefs and the integration of folk customs with religious practice.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Tết Trung Thu, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is one of Vietnam’s most beloved traditional festivals, especially for children. Often referred to as the “Children’s Festival”, it is a joyful celebration of family, harvest, and moon worship.
Streets across the country come alive with vibrant lanterns, lion dances, and music. Children parade through neighborhoods carrying colorful star-shaped lanterns, while traditional mooncakes are shared among family and friends. Folklore performances, storytelling, and community gatherings add to the festive spirit.
In recent years, the Mid-Autumn Festival has also become a popular occasion for schools, companies, and event planners to organize themed celebrations and cultural programs. The festival not only fosters family bonds but also highlights the enduring beauty of Vietnamese traditions.
Mid-Autumn Festival organized by AV Vietnam
Lim Festival
Held annually in Bac Ninh Province during the first lunar month, Lim Festival is famous for preserving and celebrating quan họ, a form of traditional duet singing recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Singers dressed in traditional attire perform on boats, village courtyards, or hillsides, drawing locals and tourists alike. Besides music, the festival features folk games such as bamboo swings, human chess, and traditional wrestling. It reflects the grace and harmony of northern Vietnamese culture.
Huế Festival & Huế Craft Village Festival
The Huế Festival, held every two years, is a large-scale cultural event that honors the royal heritage of the former imperial capital. It includes elaborate art performances, áo dài shows, international guest troupes, and historical re-enactments.
Complementing this is the Huế Craft Village Festival, where artisans from across Vietnam showcase traditional crafts such as embroidery, woodcarving, conical hat making, and pottery. Both festivals transform the city into a living museum of Vietnamese heritage and creativity.
Xến Xó Phốn Festival
Celebrated by the Thai ethnic group in the northern provinces, the Xến Xó Phốn Festival is held in the second lunar month to pray for health, good harvests, and prosperity. Villagers wear traditional costumes and participate in spiritual rituals led by shamans. Offerings of sticky rice, livestock, and handmade cakes are prepared. Music, dancing, and community feasting follow the ceremonies, making it both a sacred and festive occasion.
Ok Om Bok Festival
Held by the Khmer community in the Mekong Delta, Ok Om Bok takes place in the 10th lunar month, coinciding with the end of the harvest season. It is a moon-worshipping festival expressing gratitude for nature’s abundance.
The highlight is the ngo boat race, a traditional dragon boat competition on local rivers that attracts thousands of spectators. In the evening, lanterns are released onto the water, creating a magical, communal atmosphere that reflects the Khmer people’s connection to water and the moon.
Ok Om Bok Festival
Vietnamese holidays and festivals are not only moments of celebration but also living expressions of the country’s identity, history, and cultural depth. From national holidays to local traditions, each event offers unique opportunities to connect communities and honor shared values.
At AV Vietnam, we bring these moments to life through professional organization and full-service event equipment rental. Whether you are planning a Tet celebration, Mid-Autumn Festival, cultural performance, or corporate holiday program, our team provides everything you need, from stage design and lighting to sound systems, LED screens, and decorative setup. Contact AV Vietnam today via (+84) 939.311.911 to turn your celebration into an unforgettable experience.
