Plan your 2027 Tet in Hai Phong: what to see and do
Tet in Hai Phong means the Le Hong Phong flower market, New Year's Eve fireworks, and quiet streets on the first days of the year. Tet 2027 has no 30th day, so New Year's Eve falls on February 5; many restaurants close on the first morning, so sort out meals and rooms in advance.
16 min read
In the days before Tet, stalls of red lanterns, flowers and New Year decorations fill the pavement of a Hai Phong street.
You arrive in Hai Phong on the morning of Lunar New Year’s Day, hoping to start with a bowl of crab noodle soup before sightseeing, only to find many restaurants closed. On the first morning of Tet, many small places shut so the owners can be with family. You can still explore the city, visit temples, find places serving food, or save your Cat Ba Island trip for the following days. Just check opening hours before heading out.
When is Tet 2027, and how long is the holiday in Hai Phong?
Vietnamese Lunar New Year in 2027 is Tet Dinh Mui, the Year of the Goat, with New Year’s Day falling on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Lunar New Year’s Eve is Friday, February 5, 2027, the 29th day of the final lunar month of the previous year.
Under the holiday schedule set by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Hai Phong People’s Committee, public officials, civil servants, and employees of applicable public institutions will have seven consecutive days off.
| Gregorian date | Lunar date | Suggested activities |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Feb 4 | 28th day of the final lunar month | Visit flower markets, shop, take Tet photos |
| Fri, Feb 5 | 29th day of the final lunar month | Walk the city, celebrate New Year’s Eve |
| Sat, Feb 6 | 1st day of Tet | Visit family, temples, and the city center |
| Sun, Feb 7 | 2nd day of Tet | Visit attractions and shops as they reopen |
| Mon, Feb 8 | 3rd day of Tet | Visit historic sites and enjoy local food |
| Tue, Feb 9 | 4th day of Tet | Take a day trip or visit Cat Ba |
| Wed, Feb 10 | 5th day of Tet | Relax, sightsee, prepare for departure |
The official holiday runs from February 4 through February 10, including five statutory Tet holidays and two compensatory days off. Government offices covered by this schedule resume work on Thursday, February 11, 2027.
Private companies may follow different schedules. Employers can choose among three arrangements for the five statutory Tet holidays: one day before and four days after Lunar New Year’s Day, two days before and three days after, or three days before and two days after. Employees must receive at least 30 days’ advance notice of the chosen arrangement, while compensatory days depend on actual working schedules.
Restaurants, shops, and private businesses in Hai Phong therefore keep their own hours, and many reopen before the seven-day public-sector break ends.
What to do in Hai Phong during Tet 2027
During Lunar New Year, each part of Hai Phong has its own mood. Downtown streets are hung with lights and flowers, temples fill with families praying for good fortune, and Cat Ba is quieter, with the sea and limestone mountains.
Explore the Tet flower market on Le Hong Phong Street
Afternoons, 26th-28th lunar days
In the days before Lunar New Year, Le Hong Phong Street turns into a flower market. Kumquat trees heavy with fruit, pink peach blossoms, yellow chrysanthemums, and stalls selling festive decorations fill the streets with color.
For Tet 2026, a major spring flower market operated along Le Hong Phong Street from February 2 to February 16, corresponding to the 15th through the 29th days of the final lunar month. Gia Vien Ward arranged selling areas along Le Hong Phong Street, from the Le Lai six-way intersection toward Nguyen Binh Khiem intersection, as well as a resettlement area along Le Quang Dao Street.
For 2027, start your search here, though the city hasn’t fixed the dates or the boundaries of the Tet 2027 flower market yet.
An afternoon between the 26th and 28th days of the final lunar month works well: the stalls are still full, the market is already busy with buyers, and there’s time to wander and take pictures.
Experience Hai Phong's early-morning flower market at Ha Lung
Hai An Ward, 3-5 AM
To see how Hai Phong trades its flowers, go to Ha Lung Flower Market in Hai An Ward, roughly 6 kilometers from the city center.
This long-established wholesale flower market is where growers and traders bring chrysanthemums, gladioli, roses, and other flowers to sell. It generally operates from around 2 AM to 10 AM, with the busiest period in the early hours as deliveries arrive.
The market becomes particularly active as Tet approaches. The market runs from about 2 to 10 AM; around 3-5 AM you can watch vendors sorting flowers, tying bouquets, and loading their orders for delivery.
You’ll find plenty of vehicles transporting flowers through the market, so walk carefully and ask permission before taking close-up photos of vendors. This is a working wholesale market, not a tourist attraction.
Take Tet photos at Quan Hoa and the spring flower displays
City center and Thuy Nguyen
Tet photos in Hai Phong start right in the center: the area around the City Opera House, nearby public gardens, and Quan Hoa, the historic Flower Pavilion, is a favorite place for locals to stroll and take pictures.
Built in 1944, Quan Hoa consists of five small bays and is recognizable by its traditional tiled roof. During Tet 2026, fresh flowers decorated the pavilion, making it a popular backdrop for photos in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses.
Across the Cam River, the square at the city’s Political and Administrative Center in Thuy Nguyen Ward featured a spring flower display during Tet 2026, with nearly 100,000 flowers and ornamental plants.
Decorations also appeared in parks, gardens, and along major roads such as Le Hong Phong, Lach Tray, and Vo Nguyen Giap.
The exact locations of the 2027 displays still depend on the city’s new plans, while Quan Hoa and the Opera House square sit on any walk through central Hai Phong.
Visit temples at the beginning of the Lunar New Year
After New Year's Eve
After New Year’s Eve, many Vietnamese families visit temples and shrines to pray for health, peace, and good fortune.
- Nghe Temple: Located in central Hai Phong, this temple honors the historical heroine Le Chan, whose story is closely connected with the ancient An Bien region. It’s a good place to learn about local history and spiritual traditions.
- Ba De Temple: Situated in Do Son, this coastal temple has a strong connection with local religious traditions. You can combine your visit with a walk around Do Son.
- Tu Luong Xam Historical Site: Associated with King Ngo Quyen and the historic victory over the Southern Han forces on the Bach Dang River, this site is particularly interesting for history lovers.
Following the merger of Hai Phong and Hai Duong, visitors to the expanded city can also explore well-known heritage sites such as Con Son - Kiep Bac, Thanh Mai Pagoda, Kinh Chu Cave, and Cao An Phu Temple.
When visiting religious sites, dress respectfully, speak quietly, and follow local rules about incense offerings and photography. Sightseers can visit without bringing offerings.
Spend the New Year on Cat Ba Island
2 days, 1 night
Cat Ba during Tet is quieter than in the busy summer season. The weather is often cool or cold and the sea may be misty, but the limestone cliffs and the bay are still worth a boat trip when the weather allows.
You could spend two days and one night exploring Cat Ba Town, walking along the Cat Co beaches, or taking a Lan Ha Bay excursion when operators are running and weather conditions are suitable.
Check ferry and cable car schedules before leaving.
Ferries between Dong Bai and Cai Vieng generally operate within a window of approximately 5 AM to 6 PM, with final departures depending on the terminal. However, that schedule was valid only through December 31, 2026, so it should not be assumed to apply during Tet 2027.
For the Cat Hai - Phu Long cable car, Sun World’s schedule from October 19, 2026, included a regular closure on Tuesdays. The fourth day of Tet 2027, February 9, falls on a Tuesday, so check the holiday operating schedule for that day.
The adult fare on that schedule is VND 70,000 one way, but this is not a confirmed fare for Tet 2027.
Some Cat Ba resorts also apply holiday surcharges or mandatory meal packages. Before booking, ask for the total price, including any compulsory charges, to avoid unexpected costs.
Where can you watch Tet 2027 fireworks in Hai Phong?
The fireworks venues below are from Tet 2026 and only show the general areas. The list can change even within one year: for Tet 2026 the January plan had 13 sites, including the Opera House area, while the final February plan had 12 and dropped the Opera House. So don’t book a hotel just to watch fireworks at last year’s site; wait for the Tet 2027 list, which usually comes out one to two weeks before New Year’s Eve.
For Tet 2026, Hai Phong organized fireworks displays at 12 locations, including five venues combining high-altitude and low-altitude fireworks:
- The Political and Administrative Center square in Thuy Nguyen Ward.
- The park and square at Vinhomes Vu Yen urban area in Thuy Nguyen Ward.
- Xu Dong Cultural Center square in Le Thanh Nghi Ward.
- Hanh Phuc Lake in Kien An Ward.
- The stadium in Kien Hai Commune.
The remaining low-altitude fireworks locations included a park in An Duong Ward, sites in Chan Hung, Ha Bac, Hop Tien, Kien Thuy, and Nam Sach communes, and two sites in Cat Hai Special Zone: Cat Hai High School and the Cat Ba tourist centre.
The old city center around Hai Phong Opera House was not among the 12 launch sites for Tet 2026, so standing in the Opera House square at midnight may not give you a view of the display.
In 2026, the main New Year’s Eve celebration took place at the Political and Administrative Center square from 10 PM on February 16 until 12:30 AM on February 17. Fireworks began at midnight and lasted approximately 10-15 minutes.
For Tet 2027, the Lunar New Year begins at 12:00 AM on February 6, 2027. The exact launch sites, duration, and scale of the displays still depend on the official announcement, which is generally released closer to Tet.
About one to two weeks before New Year’s Eve, check the confirmed locations, pick a viewing spot near your hotel, and arrive early to avoid traffic.
If you’re traveling with young children, find a spacious area away from crowded security barriers.
Are restaurants, shops, and supermarkets open during Tet in Hai Phong?
Yes, some remain open, but you’ll notice that daily life follows a very different rhythm.
On the first day of Tet, traditional markets and family-run shops often close so their owners can spend time with relatives. Many local restaurants also take a break or operate with reduced hours.
Larger hotels, some restaurants serving hotel guests, convenience stores, pharmacies, and selected supermarkets may continue operating.
During Tet 2026, many traditional markets in Hai Phong began reopening on the second day of the new year. MM Mega Market Hong Bang and GO! Hai Phong also resumed services, while AEON Le Chan had already opened on the first day.
That’s how things ran in 2026, not confirmed opening hours for Tet 2027.
| Holiday period | Food and shopping | Travel tip |
|---|---|---|
| Final two days before Tet | Many businesses still open, though some close early | Stock up on essentials and try local food |
| First day of Tet | Many small restaurants closed; essential services may operate | Eat at your hotel or a confirmed restaurant |
| Second-third days | Markets and supermarkets reopen gradually | Combine sightseeing with local dining |
| Fourth-fifth days | More shops and restaurants typically reopen | Easier to plan full days of sightseeing |
| From the sixth day | Many workplaces and services return toward normal | Still check individual opening hours |
Some restaurants operating throughout Tet may add a holiday surcharge to cover staffing costs. The amount varies by establishment, so check the menu or ask before ordering.
From the second or third day, you can start looking for Hai Phong specialties such as banh da cua (crab noodle soup), bun ca (fish noodle soup), nem cua be (square crab spring rolls), and seafood dishes.
A restaurant famous for its everyday menu may still be closed for the holiday, so call ahead.
Are museums and tourist attractions closed during Tet?
Not all of them.
During the nine-day Tet holiday in 2026, Hai Phong welcomed more than 1.07 million visitor arrivals, including over 103,000 international arrivals.
Many cultural and tourist destinations received visitors during the holiday, including Cat Ba Island, Con Son - Kiep Bac, Tuong Long Pagoda and Tower, Bach Dang Giang Historical Site, Hai Phong Museum, Hang Kenh Communal House, and Nghe Temple.
Those figures cover the whole holiday. On New Year’s Eve and the first morning, some museums and cultural institutions may close or adjust their opening hours.
Check official pages or contact the attraction directly before visiting. At temples and religious sites, hours for worshippers may differ from those for guided tours or general sightseeing.
Early-spring festivals, traditional calligraphy ceremonies, and cultural activities at communal houses and pagodas also take place. Their exact 2027 dates depend on each organizer’s own announcement.
When should you book flights, trains, and hotels for Tet 2027?
Booking early is the easiest way to avoid last-minute changes caused by sold-out transport or higher prices.
Flights and train tickets are already on sale
Vietnam Airlines Group began selling nearly 3.7 million seats for Tet Dinh Mui on August 25, 2026. Vietjet also offered approximately 3.1 million tickets for the peak travel period from January 22 to February 20, 2027.
Vietnam Airlines Group increased seat capacity on routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong compared with the previous Tet season. Prices still vary depending on the route, departure date, flight time, and fare class.
Vietnam’s railway sector began selling individual Tet tickets at 8 AM on September 5, 2026, through dsvn.vn, official apps, railway stations, and authorized agents.
The Tet rail transport period runs from January 23 to February 25, 2027.
Some train services during peak holiday dates apply a ticket refund fee of 30% of the fare. For individual tickets subject to this rule, cancellation must be completed at least 24 hours before departure.
Because these conditions depend on the route, travel direction, and departure date, check the exact change and refund policy before paying.
Travelers taking the Hanoi - Hai Phong train should also confirm the operating schedule, train category, and seat availability rather than assuming every service follows the same peak-season policy.
How early should you book buses and accommodation?
Taking a coach, limousine van, or transfer from Hanoi? Look for tickets about three to four weeks in advance, especially when traveling close to New Year’s Eve or at the end of the holiday.
Hotels in central Hai Phong and resorts on Cat Ba Island need booking even earlier, about four to eight weeks before your visit.
That lead time is about having rooms to choose from; hotels don’t set it as a deadline.
During Tet 2026, Hai Phong experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals compared with the previous year. Popular rooms may therefore sell out early, while prices can fluctuate on high-demand dates.
Before confirming a reservation, check whether taxes and fees are included, whether mandatory Tet meals or holiday supplements apply, the free-cancellation deadline, and how you’ll return from the island to the mainland.
What should you do when invited to a Vietnamese home for Tet?
An invitation to a Vietnamese family’s Tet lets you see family reunions, ancestral altars, traditional sweets, and New Year greetings in a setting that organized tours rarely reach.
Don’t arrive uninvited on the morning of Lunar New Year’s Day
Vietnamese families have a tradition called xong dat, sometimes translated as first-footing.
The first person to enter a home after Lunar New Year’s Eve is believed to influence the household’s luck for the coming year.
Some families choose their first visitor in advance, often based on age compatibility or personal beliefs about good fortune.
For this reason, it’s best to wait for a clear invitation before visiting someone’s home on the morning of the first day of Tet.
Ask your host what time suits them and that settles it. Some families don’t follow the custom strictly anyway.
Bring a small, thoughtful gift
A box of cookies, good-quality tea, a fruit basket, or a specialty from your home country all work. Keep it modest; the price isn’t the point.
When entering the home, greet older family members first, notice whether everyone removes their shoes at the entrance, and avoid touching objects on the ancestral altar without permission.
How does lucky money work?
Li xi is the Vietnamese custom of giving money in small envelopes, usually red, as a wish for luck and happiness in the new year.
As a guest, you may prepare a few envelopes for children in the family, but it’s not compulsory. The amount depends on your relationship and budget; there is no fixed sum you must give.
A few simple greetings to learn before you go:
- Chuc mung nam moi! - Happy New Year! A greeting suitable for almost everyone.
- Chuc ong ba suc khoe, song lau! - Wishing grandparents good health and a long life.
- Chuc gia dinh an khang, thinh vuong! - Wishing your family peace and prosperity.
- Chuc chau cham ngoan, hoc gioi! - Wishing a child good behavior and success at school.
Your hosts may offer tea, candied fruit, sunflower or watermelon seeds, or traditional Tet dishes.
Accepting a little is a friendly gesture, but it’s also fine to politely decline something you cannot eat or an alcoholic drink.
What should you eat to experience Tet in Hai Phong?
On an ordinary day, Hai Phong is famous for crab noodles, spicy fish noodles, and fresh seafood. During Tet, however, family meals tend to feature more traditional northern Vietnamese dishes.
Square sticky rice cakes called banh chung, Vietnamese pork sausage known as gio, boiled chicken, dried pork-skin soup called canh bong, and stir-fried dishes commonly appear on holiday tables.
In Hai Phong, nem cua be, the city’s signature square crab spring rolls, is another favorite for festive meals and family gatherings.
These rolls are fried until golden and crisp, with a filling that typically includes crab, meat, and other ingredients. They’re served with fresh vegetables, rice noodles, and a sweet-and-sour fish sauce dip.
You might also try banh chung with pickled onions or enjoy a cup of hot tea with traditional candied fruits.
If Vietnamese food is new to you, ask about the ingredients before eating, especially if you have seafood allergies or dietary restrictions.
A suggested 3-day Tet itinerary in Hai Phong
Three days, from New Year’s Eve to the second day of Tet, cover the flower markets, the countdown, and the first morning of the year in Hai Phong. The plan below mixes traditional customs with sightseeing.
- Day 1
Lunar New Year's Eve, Friday, February 5, 2027
Spend the morning or afternoon exploring flower markets, visiting Quan Hoa, and taking photos around the Opera House.
Enjoy a year-end dinner at a restaurant you’ve booked in advance.
Later, head to one of the officially confirmed New Year’s Eve celebration areas to watch the countdown and fireworks.
- Day 2
First day of Tet, Saturday, February 6, 2027
Keep the morning relaxed. Take a walk through the city center or visit Nghe Temple to experience the early New Year atmosphere.
In the afternoon, visit friends or family, or enjoy traditional tea and sweets at your accommodation.
Book dinner ahead rather than spending the evening searching for an open restaurant.
- Day 3
Second day of Tet, Sunday, February 7, 2027
Continue exploring downtown Hai Phong, visit a cultural attraction that has confirmed its opening hours, or head toward Do Son if the weather is pleasant.
Travelers with more time can extend their trip with two days and one night on Cat Ba Island, provided ferry services, accommodation, and activities have been confirmed.
This is a suggested plan, not an official event schedule; shift the days around weather, opening hours, and traffic.
An afternoon at a flower market before New Year’s Eve, a temple on the first morning, or a short trip to the coast is already Tet in the port city.
Frequently asked questions
When is Tet 2027, and how many days off does Hai Phong have?
The first day of Tet Dinh Mui falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027, with New Year's Eve on February 5. Public officials and employees covered by the city's holiday schedule have seven consecutive days off, from February 4 through February 10, 2027. Private companies may arrange different schedules in accordance with labor regulations.
Where will the Tet 2027 fireworks be held in Hai Phong?
The city hasn't released the official list yet. In 2026, fireworks venues included the Political and Administrative Center, Vinhomes Vu Yen, Xu Dong Cultural Center, Hanh Phuc Lake, and several other locations. Check the official Tet Dinh Mui announcement before choosing where to watch.
Where are the Tet flower markets in Hai Phong?
During Tet 2026, major spring flower markets were held along Le Hong Phong Street and in the Le Quang Dao area. Ha Lung wholesale flower market in Hai An Ward is also worth visiting for an early-morning flower-shopping experience. The 2027 spring flower market has no official schedule yet.
Are restaurants and supermarkets open during Tet in Vietnam?
Some are open, but schedules vary. Many local restaurants close on the first day of Tet, while hotels, selected supermarkets, and essential services may continue operating. Shopping and dining options generally become more available from the second day onward.
Should foreign visitors give lucky money when visiting a Vietnamese family during Tet?
It's not compulsory. You can bring a small gift, greet family members politely, and prepare red envelopes containing lucky money for children if you wish. Arrange any visit on the first morning of Tet in advance, because some families observe the first-footing tradition.
