This year, Lunar New Year (TET) Holiday lasts nine days, it presents the perfect opportunity for both foreign and domestic tourists to explore local heritage. In this article, we review significant destinations across Vietnam: Con Dao Island, Mekong Delta, Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Old Capital, Duong Lam Ancient Village…etc.
1. Côn Đảo Island
This Island in Ho Chi Minh City (Old Province: Ba Ria Vung Tau) tops the list as the first choice. While much of the country celebrates with fireworks, Côn Đảo offers a unique experience.
On New Year’s Eve, the island quiets down as locals gather at Hàng Dương Cemetery to pay tribute to national heroes. Travelers can join a silent procession through incense smoke and flickering candlelight, experiencing a solemn and beautiful ritual grounded in gratitude.
2. Mekong Delta
Moving to the Mekong Delta, enjoying fruit rituals and flower boats in Cần Thơ City is a delightful idea. In southern Vietnam, Tet traditions involve wordplay and water. Families prepare a fruit tray based on a linguistic pun, symbolising wishes for prosperity.
At Cái Răng Floating Market, the river turns into a floating garden as boats filled with yellow flowers create a picturesque scene at sunrise.
3. Hoi An Ancient Town
Lion dances are a common sight in Việt Nam, with Hội An being an atmospheric location for such festivities. In Hội An Ancient Town, drumbeats reverberate through narrow alleys past centuries-old merchant houses. In between performances, locals gather for Bài Chòi, a traditional singing bingo game played in the streets.
4. Hue Old Capital
Another option is the Royal Cây Nêu Ceremony in Thừa Thiên-Huế central province. In the ancient capital of Huế, Tết commences similarly to how it did for emperors. Guards dressed in 19th-century court attire raise the Cây Nêu, a tall bamboo pole believed to ward off evil spirits. This ceremony marks the official start of the royal holiday and provides a rare glimpse into Vietnam’s dynastic rituals, revived solely during this period.
5. Duong Lam Ancient Village
Just 50 kilometers from Hà Nội, Đường Lâm preserves the traditional rhythms of northern Tết. The village’s red clay houses, communal gates, and calligraphy scrolls offer a glimpse of an older time. Village elders engage in tea ceremonies and offer rituals as they have done for generations, providing a serene contrast to the bustling energy of the capital.
Beyond the vibrant city fireworks and bustling flower markets, TET offers a rich tapestry of rituals, ancient beliefs, and local customs.