Festivals are so important in showing not only the history, and culture but also the beliefs of the country. The richness of festivals in Vietnam comes from the cultural diversity of 54 tribes and various religions and beliefs. On the other hand, the interaction between Vietnamese cultures with other Western and Eastern countries caused by the political, commercial, and historical elements makes traditional Vietnam festivals more colorful. However, it still does not lose its distinct values. Among countless festivals in Vietnam, we list below a list of the biggest festivals along with public holidays that you may occasionally experience during your trip.
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Traditional Vietnam Festivals & Public Holidays Happen in 2024
1. New Year's Day Celebration (December 31st, 2023 - January 1st, 2024)
Vietnamese people celebrate the holiday within 3 days from 31/12/2023 to 02/01/2024. During this period, students leave school and workers normally leave work.
On the evening of Dec. 31, depending on location, many countdown parties are held or there are also vivid fireworks.
>> Read more: New Year's Eve in Vietnam: A Night to Remember
2. Tet Holiday - Vietnamese New Year (February 8th - 14th, 2024)
This traditional holiday lasts about 7 days, usually falling between late January and mid-February, bringing Vietnamese people back to their ancestral homes for non-stop celebrations.
Tet, for the Vietnamese, is the most important and biggest holiday of the year when the whole family will spend time together. It is also a special time to show the connection with ancestors and maintain traditional values.
The period leading up to Tet, particularly the week before the Lunar New Year, is always more lively and beautiful than the main event itself. People decorate their homes, shopping centers, and offices, while others flock to the flower market to purchase apricot, peach, and kumquat trees. The Ong Cong - Ong Tao worshipping ceremony is also held to farewell the Kitchen Gods before they depart for the heavenly palace to perform their most important task of the year. There are numerous activities to participate in during this time.
It is important to note that if you plan to travel to Vietnam during the Tet holiday, you should book your services 2-3 months in advance to guarantee a smooth trip.
>> Read more: Visit Vietnam during Tet Holiday - Everything You Need to Know
3. Perfume Pagoda Festival (February 11th - April 12, 2024)
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is an important religious festival of Buddhism in Vietnam held annually, attracting many Buddhists from the south to the north to visit and make pilgrimages. The ceremony was held at the scenic area of the Chua Huong (Perfume Pagoda) in Huong Son, My Duc District, Hanoi.
When arriving at the Perfume Pagoda, pilgrims visit temples to worship; they enjoy scenic boat rides on the poetic Yen stream surrounded by limestone mountains and rice fields. They climb hundreds of stone steps to pray for a peaceful, prosperous and lucky new year.
>> Read more: Perfume Pagoda: Divine A Scent of Tranquility in Hanoi
4. Yen Tu Festival (February 19th, 2024)
Every year, the Yen Tu Festival is held from the tenth day of the first lunar month and lasts about 3 months at Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh province. The opening ceremony was held with many rituals such as an incense offering ceremony to the Buddha; performing arts reenacting historical, cultural, and spiritual stories, dragon dance, traditional martial arts, etc. This is a very famous religious festival of Buddhism in Vietnam.
The Yen Tu religious complex includes pagodas, towers, temples, and Buddha statues in a majestic setting of mountains, forests, streams, and clouds.
Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong of the Tran Dynasty, after relinquishing the throne in 1294, came here to practise and started the Zen foundation of Truc Lam - a typical Buddhist of Vietnam.
>> Read more: Yen Tu Pagoda - the cradle of the Truc Lam sect of Zen Buddhism in Vietnam
5. Lim Festival in Bac Ninh (February 21st - 23th, 2024)
The Lim festival takes place from January 12 to 14 on the lunar calendar in Bac Ninh province, the village is regarded as the cultural cradle of Vietnam's northern lowlands. There are many festival activities during this festival, and in every corner near the Lim Pagoda, you can hear the chanting of Quan ho Bac Ninh, which is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible world heritage of humanity.
Once you arrive in the Bac Ninh area, especially in the villages near the Lim Pagoda, where the festival is held, you can hear the singing everywhere, from small ties to communal houses, singing, talking and playing together. The Lim Festival is a traditional festival that is still well-maintained in Vietnam.
>> Read more: Lim Festival - A Celebration of Folk Music and Heritage in Vietnam
6. International Women's Day (March 8th, 2024)
In Vietnam, International Women's Day is also celebrated to honor women's contributions to affirming equality between women and men.
7. Chol Chnam Thmay - New Year's Day of ethnic Khmer (April 14th - 17th, 2024)
According to the tradition of ethnic Khmer people living in the south of Vietnam, especially in villages such as Soc Trang, Chau Doc, Long Xuyen, mid-April is the time of change between the dry season and the rainy season. This is the time when the sky and the earth are in harmony, when all the trees are green and budding which is expected to be a good start. The Khmers consider them to be the beginning of a new year called Chol Chnam Thmay (in the new year).
Whether rich or poor, it is essential for the Khmer to have Num-Chrut (Tet cake), Num-tean (It cake) and Num-Kha-Nhi (ginger cake). These cakes symbolise prosperity, and good harvest and are worshipped on the altar of the ancestors. They are also used as offerings at temples during the new year.
7. Tet Han Thuc - Cold Food Festival (April 11th, 2024)
Han Thuc Festival is held on the 3rd day of the third month (lunar calendar) annually. In this festival, people often grind flour and cook green beans to make "banh troi" and "banh chay" - sticky rice balls eaten with a delicious sweet soup.
The Han Thuc festival is a time when Vietnamese people show respect and commemorate their ancestors by carefully preparing traditional cakes.
8. Anniversary of Hung King's death (April 18th, 2024)
Hung King's Death Anniversary (Hung Vuong), also known as the Hung Temple Festival, is an important national holiday, held on the tenth day of the third lunar month in Phu Tho province. This is considered a traditional festival of all Vietnamese, including those abroad, to commemorate the merits of the founding of the country of the Hung Kings.
9. Reunification Day (April 30th, 2024)
Reunification Day is a national holiday in Vietnam held on April 30 to commemorate the liberation of South Vietnam, unifying the country. It is an event that put an end to the long disastrous war.
Depending on each year, in Ho Chi Minh City, you can see fireworks to celebrate this holiday.
10. International Labour Day (May 1st, 2024)
This year, when combined with the public holiday on April 30th, Vietnamese people will have a 4-day vacation. During this time, Vietnamese spend their vacations on beaches and other getaway destinations. Be prepared because the airport and hotel can be crowded.
11. Vesak - Celebrating Buddha's Birthday (May 23rd, 2024)
Vesak is the festival commemorating Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. In Vietnam, many festivals are held during this day to make special efforts to look back at ourselves and bring happiness to all.
12. Doan Ngo Festival (June 10th, 2024)
Doan Ngo festival, known by the vernacular name the insect-killing festival is a popular festival in Asian countries.
According to legend, once upon a time, farmers were very happy to have a good harvest, but unfortunately that year insects dragged and destroyed all the fruit and food. Everyone had headaches and did not know how to solve this disaster. Suddenly there was an old man who taught people how to prepare some things to put on the altar: Banh Tro (ash cake) and fruits. People followed him and only a moment later the bugs fell off.
To commemorate this, people call it an insect-killing festival, some call it "Tet Doan Ngo" because it is usually held in the middle of the year. Usually at this festival, people eat typical dishes such as Banh Tro, plums, lychee, fermented sticky rice,... out of a desire to avoid disease.
13. Vu Lan Feast (August 18th, 2024)
Vu Lan Feast is one of the main festivals in Buddhism (Mahayana), originating in China but celebrated in Vietnam since the 11th century.
It is said that when Venerable monk Muc Kieu Lien (one of the two great disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni) reaped successes in his practice, he remembered his deceased mother, so he used his magic eyes to search for her.
Unexpectedly, the result was heartbreaking. He saw his mother turn into a hungry ghost, wandering everywhere, starving and suffering because of the evil she had done. Too painful to see that scene, Venerable Muc Kieu Lien immediately used his magic to deliver rice to hell for his mother, unfortunately, all the food turned into fire.
Feeling pain for the poor mother, he immediately asked the Buddha for help. The Buddha taught that the only way to save her was through the prayers of monks from all over the world. The full moon day of the seventh month (July 15th) is the right day to invite monks, prepare to make offerings and pray for his mother.
Buddha also added that "Beings who want to show filial piety to their parents should also use this method". Since then, the Vu Lan filial piety festival has been born.
14. Festival of Ghosts or Festival of Wandering Souls (August 18th, 2024)
According to folk beliefs, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the day when all the gates of hell are opened, souls are simultaneously forgiven, escaped from hell, and wandering around the living world. This lunar July 15th is also the time when everyone memorializes ancestors, sending offerings and food to them. However, it is believed that there are spirits who receive nothing so a table is prepared full of offerings such as porridge, rice, burns, and clothes... to bless the wandering souls and wish them to overcome the pains to incarnate.
15. Vietnam Independence Day (September 2nd, 2024)
On this day in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, marking the country's freedom from colonialism. Every year since then, large parades and special events are held throughout the country, and especially in Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, to celebrate this national day.
16. Mid-Autumn Festival (September 17th, 2024)
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of Vietnam's most important traditional festivals and is held on August 15th of the lunar calendar to worship the full moon, the biggest of the year.
To prepare for the festival, parents prepare moon cake, pomelo and other delicacies. On the night of the festival, Vietnamese children carry lit lanterns in parades and wear costumes for lion dances. Children love the mid-autumn festival so much to be given toys such as star-shaped lanterns, masks,...
Participating in the celebration activities with the locals would be an unforgettable memory. In Hanoi, Hang Ma Street is the most visited place while in Ho Chi Minh City, people flock to the pedestrian streets of Nguyen Hue and Cho Lon area.
>> Read more: Vietnamese Moon Festival - One of the Most Special Occasions in Vietnam
17. Sen Dolta (An Giang) Festival (October 1st - 3rd, 2024)
The Sen Dolta festival is the largest traditional festival of the year of the Khmer people, also known as the ancestor memorization ceremony that takes place from 29/8 to 1/9 on the lunar calendar. The most important part is the bull running contest held in the Bay Nui area, An Giang.
18. Liberation Day of Hanoi, the capital (October 10th, 2024)
On October 10, 1954, the Vietnam People's Army liberated the capital from the rule of the colonial empire. This event marked a major turning point in our nation's history against foreigners. Since then, October 10 has been regarded as Capital Liberation Day to celebrate this glorious victory.
19. Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20th, 2024)
On October 20, 1930, the Vietnam Women's Union was established, and to celebrate this special event, the Communist Party of Vietnam chose October 20 as Vietnamese Women's Day. Like March 8, on this day flowers or gifts are given to beloved women to show appreciation as much as love to grandmothers, mothers, sweethearts, sisters and female colleagues.
20. Ooc Om Bok (November 15th, 2024)
Along with Chol Chnam ThMay, Sen Dolta, Ok Om Bok is one of the three most important festivals of the Khmer people. On this occasion, on the evening of lunar 14/10, locals gather to pray to the moon god for good luck and a bountiful harvest.
21. Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20th, 2024)
This is the occasion celebrated throughout Vietnam when students bring flowers and small gifts to show their appreciation for their teachers.
22. Christmas (December 24th, 2024)
Christmas in Vietnam in recent years has become so popular that it has become a holiday for everyone, not a holiday reserved only for Christians. On this day people decorate their homes (especially in the companies or homes of young people) and exchange gifts. However, Vietnamese people will not have a paid vacation for Christmas, even Christians. Many international travelers like spending their Christmas holiday on Halong Bay, so if you also have a similar plan, book Halong Bay cruise in advance.
>> Read more: Christmas in Vietnam: A Unique Blend of Cultures
To prepare for your trip through traditional Vietnam festivals:
>> 1 Week in Vietnam: Your Perfect Travel Plan
>> Authentic Itinerary to Vietnam in 15 Days
>> How to Plan the Best North Vietnam Itinerary?
When are you going to spend your Vietnam trip? We hope that through this article, in addition to the landscapes you choose to see, you will have a chance to celebrate traditional Vietnam festivals and learn more about our culture as well as the local daily life.
05 Comments
United States
I just love Tet in Vietnam. Perhaps because it's different from other celebrations.
United States
Vietnam
Afghanistan
Where to celebrate mid autumn festival apart from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh? We plan to visit Vietnam during the third week of September.
Vietnam
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