Traveling Vietnam during Tet can be quite the experience. Tet is the biggest holiday of the year in Vietnam. It is the celebration of the Lunar New Year and the coming of Spring, sending the country into a fit of chaos and celebration. Typically falling sometime in January or February, the people of Vietnam travel from across the country back to their hometowns to celebrate Tet and spend time with family.
It is a celebration of fun, but also a serious preparation for the new year. The longstanding traditions are apparent everywhere with decorations, altars and burning pots of paper? Yes, you will see large stock pots of paper burning on the streets of cities and towns alike. It is a bit annoying and not so fun to huff the smoke, but it is Vietnam. You do not come here for crisp, clean air.
There is a lot to consider before traveling in/to/through Vietnam during Tet. The actual New Year’s Day may only be a single day, but the effects are noticeable for 5-10 days before and after. Here are some important things to note for travel in Vietnam during Tet:
Transportation in Vietnam During Tet
The safest way for foreigners to travel through Vietnam is via bus or train. Trains can be more scenic and comfortable, but at some point, you will have to take a bus if you venture out of the larger cities. And you should do this!
The same should be said for Tet. Again, the best way to get around is bus or train. But! As mentioned above, the people of Vietnam travel across the country themselves during Tet. And seeing as there are about 100 million people from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in this long, narrow country, the buses and trains will have many more passengers than any normal day the rest of the year.
Seriously, a lot more people. Do not be surprised to find yourself on a jam-packed, oversold bus for hours, with people squeezing on the floor for any space available. The next thing you know, you might have a strange baby on your lap! Safety on the roads is not exactly priority #1 in Southeast Asia; so if you want a comfy and cozy ride, stay home or pay through the nose.
The main point of noting the transportation differences when traveling though Vietnam during Tet are the inflated costs. The tourist buses are more expensive than the local buses to begin with, and during the New Year’s chaos, you can expect prices to be double or worse. The prices are still cheaper than buses in most western nations, but if you are trying to penny-pinch your way up/down the country, this time of year will make that harder.
You can always opt for the local buses, but these already overcrowded buses will now be miserably full.
An example of the inflated prices is the overnight sleeper bus from Hoi An to Da Lat. This bus will normally cost you $8-15 USD; however, during Tet, expect the tab to be $30 and up. The earlier you book, the better, but it will be difficult to stick to that airtight budget during this time.
Accommodation in Vietnam During Tet
The same goes for lodging. As a solo traveler, choosing dorms in a hostel or homestay is almost always the cheapest route. When traveling in Vietnam during Tet, this is still true, but be prepared to pay anywhere from an dollar or two to double the rate each night.
The tough part about dealing with accommodation in travel to Vietnam during Tet is not surging prices, but simply finding a vacancy. Hotels are businesses too, often family-owned, and many will shut their doors for a week or more.
There are plenty of stories from travelers who book accommodation early, only to arrive and find their hotel locked and dark. During a time when vacancies are harder to come by, this can put you in a stressful bind. The last thing anyone wants is to feel stranded in the sweltering heat, bags aplenty, with nowhere to go.
Book your accommodation early and make contact with the property to ensure you won’t be left out on the curb.
Businesses/Shopping During Tet
While many hotels and hostels shut their doors for the holiday, even more businesses close down. During Tet, family and celebration is more important than tourist dollars – it is a headscratcher, but respectable.
The UNESCO-designated city of Hoi An, totally dependent on tourists who come to relax and get that new personally tailored wardrobe from scratch, is no different. People come across the world to get a set of clothes or handmade leather goods for pennies on the dollar for what you would pay for the same quality elsewhere. However, during Tet, most of these tailors close as well. If you want that suit, you had better come early or stick around after the holidays. It is not about the money at this time, so be patient. They will get to you when they get to you.
Even restaurants shut their doors, leaving the hungry, confused tourists scratching their heads, wandering in search of an open option. Those that do remain open, especially in heavily touristy areas, may add a surcharge to your total bill.
Finding a hostel/hotel that is open and serves food might be a wise decision for peace of mind.
One business that will probably be open is the local mini-mart. Everyone needs booze and party supplies so you may still have that option. However, playing it safe would be best. Stock up on Vietnamese beer, seaweed potato chips, a $2 bottle of local rum and wait for the fun to begin.
Stay in One Place
The most important thing you should note about traveling Vietnam during Tet is to stay in one place. It is not impossible to get around, but your life will be considerably easier and less stressful if you don’t wander too far. You can save money avoiding price surges, avoid headaches from trying to find last-minute lodging, sit back, relax and enjoy the celebrations.
Once you find a place you enjoy or think will suit you, arrive a couple of days before Tet and stick around for 3-4 days after. This can be a major chunk of time for most trips to Vietnam, but if you are on a budget, take this chance to really get to know this one place and catch your breath. Travel is exhausting and Tet is the perfect excuse to take a break in Vietnam. And party.
Hoi An is a wonderful place to celebrate, with tourists and locals ringing in the New Year and partying side-by-side into the wee hours of the morning. Bigger cities are also known for hosting massive celebrations, so take your pick!
If you are lucky enough to receive an invitation to join a local family or group for their celebrations, DO NOT pass it up. You will see a more authentic and localized celebration, and the holiday foods cooked in homes are not commonly found in restaurants. Oh, and it’s really good.
Why You Should Travel Vietnam During Tet
Tet seems like a stressful time to be traveling in Vietnam. Yes, this is true. But it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an entire nation buzzing around with excitement and pride. The Vietnamese flags are not in short supply, waving from every house and shop across the country.
Mandarin trees are present in every building. Apparently, you have to have one (strangely you do not see many people eating the mandarins, though), and it is debatable whether or not there are more mandarin trees in homes and shops or on the back of motorbikes. The floral displays are intricate and beautiful, adding even more color to an already radiant country.
Traveling in Vietnam during Tet is an exciting time to be in the country. Any opportunity to go abroad and take part in a local festival, event or holiday should be taken. You get a front row seat for fun and culture. Do not hesitate on buying that ticket to Vietnam. Go ahead and proceed to checkout, but make sure you budget a few extra bucks per day and pack plenty of patience!
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