For travellers eager to experience Vietnam’s cultural heritage, the country’s diverse and often colourful festivals offer an extraordinary insight into its traditions, spirituality, and communal spirit.
According to the Vietnamese zodiac, 2025 is the year of the wood snake, which is known as a symbol of wisdom and cunning, and is associated with intelligence. So make this year the one you visit this beautiful country and experience Vietnam’s festival calendar like the grand New Year celebrations to mesmerising lantern-lit evenings.
Here’s our Vietnam festival travel guide on when to visit, and how to make the most of the festivities.
Local Insights: How to Get the Most Out of Your Festival Experience
Want to make the most of your trip? Here are some expert tips:
Book Accommodation in Advance
Major festivals attract thousands of visitors, so secure your hotel or homestay weeks in advance, especially for Tet and Hue Festival.
Engage with Locals
Vietnamese hospitality is warm and welcoming, don’t hesitate to join in family celebrations or enjoy a home-cooked meal during Tet.
Dress Respectfully
When visiting temples and sacred sites, wear modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees.
Stay Connected with a Vietnam eSIM
Accessing festival schedules, local recommendations, and transport routes is easier when you stay connected. A Vietnam tourist eSIM ensures seamless connectivity throughout your trip.
Check Official Festival Schedules
Dates for some festivals change annually based on the lunar calendar. Check Vietnam’s official tourism website for up-to-date event schedules.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam for Festivals
- January – April: Ideal for Tet and the Perfume Pagoda Festival.
- September – October: Best for the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hanoi or Hoi An.
- April – June: The Vietnam International Fireworks Festival lights up Da Nang.
- October – November: Music lovers should visit for the Monsoon Music Festival.
Weather Considerations
- North Vietnam: Best visited October – March (cool, dry weather).
- Central Vietnam: Ideal February – July (sunny and warm).
- South Vietnam: Warm year-round; monsoon season runs May – November.
Visa Information for UK Travellers
- Visa-Free Entry: UK passport holders can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days.
- Longer Stays: Apply for an e-visa via Vietnam’s official immigration website.
- Important: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your travel date.
Traditional Festivals in Vietnam
Tet Nguyen Dan – Vietnamese Lunar New Year
📅 When: Tết was celebrated from January 29th to February 2nd 2025
📍 Where: Nationwide
Tết Nguyên Đán, or simply Tet, is Vietnam’s most significant festival, marking the Lunar New Year. It’s a time for family reunions, ancestral remembrance, and fresh beginnings. Cities come alive with fireworks, street performances, and vibrant markets selling bánh chưng (sticky rice cakes) and festive decorations.
Highlights:
- Fireworks displays and dragon dances
- Family feasts and lucky money (lì xì) traditions
- Temple visits for prayers and fortune-telling
Travel Tip: If visiting during Tet, plan ahead. Many businesses close, but temples and public celebrations offer an immersive experience.
The Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival
The Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival is a hallmark of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations, transforming the city’s central boulevard into a vibrant floral showcase.
📅 When: January 27 to February 2, 2025
📍 Where: Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Celebrating its 22nd year, the 2025 festival was themed “A Prosperous Nation Welcomes Spring.” The event features over 109,000 flower baskets and approximately 90 snake mascots, symbolising the Year of the Snake. The festival is divided into three sections: “Unity,” “Transformation,” and “Development,” depicting Vietnam’s journey through history and its aspirations for the future.
Highlights:
- Grand Entrance Display: A striking scene named “The Dance of Unity,” featuring intertwined snake sculptures measuring 25 and 42 metres, crafted from eco-friendly materials.
- International Floral Exhibits: Collaborative displays from 10 countries, including the UK, USA, Netherlands, and South Korea, adding a global flair to the festival.
- Cultural Performances: Traditional music, dance, and art installations reflecting Vietnam’s rich heritage.
Travel Tip: The festival attracts large crowds, especially during the opening days. To fully enjoy the displays and capture photographs with fewer people around, consider visiting during early morning hours or weekdays. Remember to wear comfortable footwear, as you’ll be walking along the 720-metre stretch of Nguyen Hue Street.
Mid-Autumn Festival – A Night of Lanterns and Joy
📅 When: September or October
📍 Where: Hanoi, Hoi An, and major cities
Known as Tet Trung Thu, this festival is a joyous celebration of the harvest for children, featuring lantern parades, lion dances, and mooncakes. The best places to experience this festival are Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoi An’s Ancient Town, where the streets glow with colourful lanterns.
Highlights:
- Traditional mooncakes and street performances
- Lion dances and festive markets
- Lantern-lit streets and floating candle offerings
Travel Tip: Hoi An’s Ancient Town is the most picturesque location for this festival, offering stunning photo opportunities.
Hue Festival – A Celebration of Vietnam’s Imperial Past
📅 When: Every two years so is due 2026 in April or May
📍 Where: Hue
Held in Vietnam’s former imperial capital, the biennial Hue Festival is a grand showcase of the country’s royal heritage. The event features imperial re-enactments, traditional dance, and folk performances, set against the backdrop of Hue’s historic citadel and pagodas.
Highlights:
- Re-enactments of royal ceremonies
- Fireworks over the Perfume River
- Folk music and Ao Dai fashion shows
Travel Tip: Book your accommodation early, as this festival draws international visitors.
Hoi An Lantern Festival – A Monthly Spectacle
📅 When: Every full moon (dates below)
📍 Where: Hoi An
Every night Hoi An’s Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999) transforms into a magical world of lantern-lit streets anyway, but things level up during the monthly Hoi An Lantern Festival with a stunning lantern procession. Electric lights are turned off, and floating candles are released onto the Thu Bon River for good luck.
Highlights:
- Traditional silk lanterns illuminating the streets
- Boat rides under the lantern-lit sky
- Traditional folk music performances
Travel Tip: Arrive early to secure the best riverfront spots for photos and candle-floating.
Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates in 2025
| Month | Date |
| January | 13th |
| February | 11th |
| March | 13th |
| April | 11th |
| May | 11th |
| June | 9th |
| July | 8th |
| August | 7th |
| September | 5th |
| October | 5th |
| November | 3rd |
| December | 3rd |
Perfume Pagoda Festival – A Spiritual Pilgrimage
📅 When: 3rd February to 27th April 2025
📍 Where: Hanoi
Vietnam’s most significant Buddhist pilgrimage, the Perfume Pagoda Festival, sees thousands of devotees journey to a sacred temple complex deep within the limestone mountains outside Hanoi. Visitors travel by boat along the Yen River, followed by a trek to the main temple.
Highlights:
- Traditional prayers and offerings
- Scenic boat trips along the Yen River
- Stunning mountain landscapes
Travel Tip: Comfortable footwear is essential, as reaching the pagoda involves a steep hike (or an optional cable car ride).
Ba Chua Xu Festival – A Southern Celebration
📅 When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Saturday, May 24, 2025
📍 Where: Chau Doc, Southern Vietnam
Dedicated to the Lady of the Realm, this festival in Chau Doc attracts thousands of pilgrims. Devotees make offerings, participate in cultural processions, and seek blessings for prosperity.
Highlights:
- Lively processions and musical performances
- Traditional rituals and temple visits
- Local street food and handicraft markets
Tip: Expect large crowds, so arrive early to secure a good vantage point for the ceremonies
Modern Festivals in Vietnam
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival – A Spectacular Display
📅 When: May 31st to July 12th, 2025, under the theme “Danang – The New Rising Era
📍 Where: Da Nang
The Vietnam International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) is one of Asia’s most stunning pyrotechnic competitions, bringing together teams from around the world to create jaw-dropping firework displays over Da Nang’s Han River.
Highlights:
- Firework displays from international teams
- Cultural performances and concerts
- Riverfront night markets and food stalls
Travel Tip: Book riverside accommodation early for the best views of the fireworks.
Monsoon Music Festival – Vietnam’s Biggest Music Event
📅 When: TBC – last ran in 2023, 2019, 2017, 2016 and big local rumours plans are in motion for 2025.
📍 Where: Hanoi
The Monsoon Music Festival in Hanoi’s Imperial Citadel is Vietnam’s answer to Glastonbury, featuring international and local artists from rock, indie, electronic, and pop genres.
Highlights:
- Live performances from global and Vietnamese artists
- Cultural art exhibitions and interactive workshops
- Food and drink stalls featuring local and international cuisine
Travel Tip: Tickets sell out quickly, so book in advance.
Final Thoughts: Experience Vietnam’s Culture First-Hand
Vietnam cultural experiences are best reflected by their many colourful festivals that blend ancient traditions with modern celebrations. Weather you’re welcoming the Lunar New Year, watching firework displays in Da Nang, or experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of a music festival, these events promise unforgettable memories.
