Tet 2027: holiday dates and travel tips for workers in Vietnam

A train ticket from Saigon Railway Station to Vinh and a flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Hanoi can both get you home before Tet, but choosing the right departure date involves different considerations. Train passengers need to secure sleeping berths early, while those flying should also account for airport transfers and the journey home after landing. Vietnam’s official Tet 2027 holiday schedule has already been announced for public employees, but private-sector workers should confirm their company’s calendar before booking.

1. Tet 2027 calendar: important dates to know

Vietnam celebrates two New Year holidays in 2027. New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1, 2027, while Tet Nguyen Dan, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

These two holidays affect travel in very different ways.

New Year’s Day is a one-day statutory holiday, often creating a long weekend for people who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off. Tet is much longer and brings significant changes to transportation, business hours, and daily life across Vietnam.

The official Lunar New Year holiday schedule for public employees was confirmed on October 9, 2026.

For travelers, the busiest period extends beyond the seven official holiday days.

Many Vietnamese people begin traveling home in late January, while others return to major cities throughout the first half of February.

That means a journey on January 30 or February 13 may still be affected by increased demand and higher transport prices, even though neither date falls within the official seven-day holiday for public employees.

2. When is Tet 2027, and what animal year is it?

Tet 2027 begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027, the first day of the Vietnamese lunar year of Dinh Mui, commonly known as the Year of the Goat.

Vietnam follows a traditional 12-animal zodiac cycle. Each lunar year is associated with an animal, and the Goat is one of the twelve signs.

An important detail about Tet 2027 is that there is no 30th day of the final lunar month.

The last lunar month of the Year of the Horse has only 29 days. As a result, February 5 is the final day of the old lunar year, and New Year’s Eve takes place that evening.

The new lunar year begins on February 6.

Tet 2027 lunar and Gregorian calendar

3. How many days off are there for New Year’s Day 2027?

Under Vietnam’s Labor Code, employees are entitled to one paid day off for New Year’s Day on January 1.

In 2027, January 1 falls on a Friday.

Therefore, public employees and other workers who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off can enjoy a three-day break:

• Friday, January 1, 2027: New Year’s Day public holiday.
• Saturday, January 2, 2027: Regular weekly day off.
• Sunday, January 3, 2027: Regular weekly day off.

The next working day is Monday, January 4, 2027.

Do private-sector employees also get three days off?

Not necessarily.

Workers on a five-day schedule with Saturdays and Sundays off will generally have the full three-day weekend.

However, employees who normally work on Saturdays may have a shorter break.

Restaurants, hotels, transportation companies, factories, and other businesses operating on shifts may also arrange working schedules differently.

The legal entitlement is one paid holiday on January 1. The additional weekend days depend on each employee’s normal working schedule.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs announcement for 2027 covers Lunar New Year and National Day holiday arrangements, without introducing a separate working-day swap for New Year’s Day.

Is January 1-3, 2027, a good time to travel?

A three-day break is enough for a short trip, but not particularly generous if the journey involves multiple destinations.

From Hanoi, Ninh Binh or a nearby countryside retreat can make sense. Travelers based in Ho Chi Minh City might consider Vung Tau or another destination within a manageable distance.

For longer trips requiring flights, January 1 can be used for traveling and checking into the hotel.

Returning on the evening of January 3 allows you to make use of the weekend, although you should leave enough time for airport transfers before going back to work the next morning.

Unlike Lunar New Year, New Year’s Day does not usually cause widespread, multi-day closures of family-owned businesses.

Still, hotel availability and long-weekend prices are worth checking before making plans.

4. Official Tet 2027 holiday schedule for public employees

Vietnamese civil servants and eligible public-sector employees will receive seven consecutive days off for Lunar New Year, from February 4 through February 10, 2027.

The break consists of five statutory Tet holiday days and two compensatory days because some holidays overlap with the regular weekend.

The schedule is as follows:

This is the official schedule for public employees. It does not mean every private company, shop, or restaurant must close on exactly the same dates.

For travelers hoping to use the entire break, there are six nights between February 4 and February 10.

However, the first and last days may be mostly consumed by transportation, especially for journeys involving flights, long-distance trains, or several hours of driving.

Families traveling with young children may find it easier to stay in one destination for several nights rather than changing hotels repeatedly during a short holiday.

5. Tet 2027 holiday schedule for private companies and employees

Private-sector businesses are not required to follow exactly the same February 4-10 schedule as public institutions.

Employers can arrange the five statutory Lunar New Year holidays using one of three options.

These are the five statutory holidays before accounting for compensatory days when a public holiday overlaps with a weekly day off.

Under the Labor Code, employees are entitled to a compensatory weekly day off on the next working day when a public holiday coincides with a regular weekly rest day.

For someone with Saturdays and Sundays off, these arrangements can create a seven-day consecutive break, although the exact beginning and ending dates depend on the employer’s chosen option.

Employers must announce their Lunar New Year holiday arrangements at least 30 days in advance.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also encourages businesses to adopt a schedule similar to that of public institutions when practical.

Why should you confirm your company’s holiday schedule before booking?

Suppose one company chooses a schedule that begins on February 3. Its employees might be able to leave home on the evening of February 2.

Another company might not begin its holiday until February 5.

Those two days can make a significant difference when overnight train berths and popular flights are already being booked months in advance.

Don’t assume your private employer follows the same calendar as a government office.

Confirm your first day off, your return-to-work date, and any compensatory leave before purchasing transport tickets.

Employees who want to travel earlier can discuss using annual leave with their employer. That extra time must be approved separately and is not automatically part of the Tet holiday.

What about foreign employees working in Vietnam?

Under the Labor Code, foreign employees working in Vietnam are entitled to the Vietnamese statutory public holidays plus one additional day for their home country’s traditional New Year and one additional day for their home country’s National Day.

This rule concerns foreign employees, not international tourists.

Visitors do not receive employment-related holiday entitlements, but they will experience the consequences of the national break when businesses, services, and public offices temporarily close.

6. What is Tet, and why does Vietnam celebrate it for so long?

Tet Nguyen Dan, usually shortened to Tet, is Vietnam’s most important traditional celebration.

It marks the beginning of a new year according to the Vietnamese lunar calendar and is closely associated with family reunions, visiting relatives, honoring ancestors, and welcoming a fresh start.

For many Vietnamese people, Tet is the main opportunity to return to their hometowns after spending much of the year working or studying elsewhere.

In the days leading up to the holiday, markets become busy with people buying flowers, food, decorations, and gifts.

In northern Vietnam, peach blossoms and kumquat trees are common Tet decorations. In southern Vietnam, yellow apricot blossoms are particularly associated with the celebration.

Photo: motiqua

The atmosphere changes noticeably once the new lunar year begins.

Many family-owned shops temporarily close. Residential streets may become quieter, while religious sites and popular tourist destinations can attract large numbers of visitors.

This creates two very different travel experiences.

Those who want to see the excitement of Tet preparations will often enjoy the days before New Year’s Eve more.

Travelers who prefer quieter streets may enjoy staying in one city during the first few days of the new year, although their dining and shopping options may be limited.

Traveling in Vietnam during Tet is not necessarily difficult. The biggest challenges come from overly ambitious itineraries and relying on services whose holiday operating hours haven’t been confirmed.

7. Is it better to visit Vietnam before, during, or after Tet 2027?

A trip in late January can feel completely different from one in early February.

Even a change of a few days may affect train availability, flight prices, restaurant opening hours, and the atmosphere in major cities.

Before Tet: approximately January 25-February 4, 2027

This is one of the more interesting periods for travelers who want to experience the festive preparations.

Markets become busy with people shopping for flowers, traditional foods, and decorations.

In Hanoi, Hang Ma and Hang Luoc streets are associated with seasonal decorations and Tet shopping. The Nhat Tan and Tu Lien areas are also known for peach blossoms and kumquat trees.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a familiar location for the city’s annual Tet flower displays.

Photo: motiqua

The specific dates and arrangements for the 2027 flower events should be checked against the relevant local announcements.

If you enjoy photography, walking through neighborhoods, and observing everyday life, spending a few days in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in late January can be more rewarding than arriving on the first day of Tet without a plan.

The disadvantage is transportation demand.

Before Tet, many workers travel from Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces to their hometowns in central and northern Vietnam.

Northbound train tickets, particularly sleeping berths, can become difficult to obtain.

Flights and intercity buses on popular homecoming routes also experience increased demand.

International travelers planning to cross Vietnam should avoid scheduling several long-distance journeys immediately before February 5.

During Tet: approximately February 5-8, 2027

February 5 is Lunar New Year’s Eve, while February 6-8 corresponds to the first three days of Tet.

This period can be enjoyable for visitors who want to see a quieter side of Vietnam, photograph streets, or spend several relaxed days in one destination.

However, it is less suitable for an itinerary that depends heavily on family-run restaurants, traditional markets, and small local services.

In Hanoi’s Old Quarter, for example, many family-owned businesses may close during the first days of the lunar year.

Other establishments, especially those catering to tourists, may remain open.

The situation is similar in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and other major visitor destinations. Hotels and some restaurants continue welcoming customers, but you cannot assume every business will operate normally.

Planning to spend the first three days of Tet in Hoi An? Arrange your hotel in advance and confirm a few restaurants within walking distance.

The two things worth securing during February 5-8 are accommodation and essential transportation.

Keep the rest of your itinerary flexible, with alternative activities available.

After Tet: from around February 11, 2027

As the official public-sector holiday ends, many offices, companies, and shops begin reopening.

This can be a more convenient period for travelers who want to visit several provinces, eat at local restaurants, and use intercity transportation.

However, the end of the public holiday does not mean that transportation demand immediately returns to normal.

Many people are still traveling back to the cities where they work.

Some families also take additional trips after Tet, and popular destinations may continue receiving large numbers of domestic visitors.

Restaurants reopening is not the same as long-distance transportation becoming less crowded. These changes do not necessarily happen at the same time.

For a potentially more relaxed trip, consider the second half of February, while still comparing transport prices and confirming the operating schedules of the services you intend to use.

8. Are flights for Tet 2027 already on sale?

Yes. Airlines began releasing tickets for the Tet 2027 travel season in 2026.

Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO, began selling tickets for the Tet season on August 25, 2026.

The group’s designated peak travel period runs from January 22 through February 20, 2027, considerably longer than the official seven-day public-sector holiday.

Vietnam Airlines Group put nearly 3.7 million seats on sale across its domestic and international network in the initial release, an 11% increase compared with the 2026 Tet peak.

Photo: David McKelvey

Which flight routes are likely to be busy?

Before Tet, many passengers travel from Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam toward central and northern provinces.

Routes such as Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City-Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City-Thanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City-Hai Phong deserve particular attention when departure dates are close to Lunar New Year’s Eve.

After Tet, the direction of demand reverses as workers return to major cities.

For this reason, a flight north before Tet and a flight south afterward should not be expected to have similar availability or prices.

Can flying against the peak travel direction save money?

Possibly, and it is worth checking if you’re traveling for leisure rather than returning to your hometown on a fixed date.

When sales opened, Vietnam Airlines Group advertised selected starting fares for routes traveling against the main Tet traffic flow:

• Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: from VND 888,000 one way.
• Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Hue, Tuy Hoa, or Quy Nhon: from VND 666,000 one way.

These advertised Tet 2027 fares included taxes and fees, but availability was subject to the conditions and limited seat allocations of individual flights.

They should not be treated as guaranteed prices when you book.

Compare the final amount after selecting baggage, departure times, and ticket-change conditions.

A flight leaving at 5:00 AM may appear cheaper, but it could require leaving your hotel in the middle of the night.

Any saving should be weighed against additional transfer costs and the inconvenience of losing sleep.

International visitors should also be careful when connecting an international arrival to a separately booked domestic flight close to Tet.

If the first flight is delayed, you may be responsible for resolving a missed connection.

9. Tet 2027 train tickets: booking dates, stations, and refund fees

Vietnam Railways began selling Tet 2027 train tickets to individual passengers at 8:00 AM on September 5, 2026.

The Tet railway transport plan covers January 23 through February 25, 2027.

Passengers can purchase tickets through the official railway booking website, railway applications, train stations, authorized ticket offices, and official agents.

The two major terminals of the North-South railway are Saigon Railway Station in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Railway Station.

Other important stops include Vinh, Dong Hoi, Hue, Da Nang, Dieu Tri, and Nha Trang.

Choosing the correct boarding and arrival stations matters, especially when your final destination is outside the city where the train stops.

Photo: shankar s.

Will there be extra trains during Tet 2027?

The railway transport plan includes regular North-South services and additional trains on routes with high demand.

From February 5 to 8, 2027, extra services may be arranged depending on actual passenger demand, including trains from Saigon to Da Nang, Tam Ky, Dieu Tri, and Nha Trang, as well as the Hanoi-Vinh route.

These are demand-based arrangements, not a guarantee that every route will receive additional departures on your preferred day.

Unavailable sleeping berths on your date are not the end: check the previous or following date or consider another station that still makes sense for your journey.

Buying a ticket to a distant station simply because seats remain available may leave you with a complicated onward trip.

How much does it cost to cancel a Tet 2027 train ticket?

The refund policy is particularly important during Tet.

Under the railway’s Tet 2027 arrangements, tickets canceled during certain peak periods are subject to a refund deduction of 30% of the ticket price.

The main applicable periods include:

Promotional tickets may have their own exchange or cancellation restrictions.

If your company has not finalized its holiday calendar, buying an attractive sleeping berth immediately may not be the best decision.

Changing your plans later could be expensive.

10. Traveling by intercity bus during Tet 2027

Intercity buses are useful for destinations that do not have convenient railway connections.

However, Tet bus schedules are usually announced by individual operators and bus terminals for specific routes.

A departure on the regular timetable should not automatically be expected to operate at the same time in February 2027.

If you are leaving Ho Chi Minh City, confirm whether the bus departs from the new Eastern Bus Station, Western Bus Station, a company office, or another designated pickup point.

In Hanoi, My Dinh, Giap Bat, and Nuoc Ngam bus stations serve different groups of routes.

The departure point printed on your ticket matters more than choosing a terminal that simply looks closest to your hotel.

Another frequently overlooked detail is the drop-off point.

Some services terminate at a bus station, company office, or designated roadside stop rather than taking passengers directly to their accommodation.

During Tet, arranging additional local transport in the early morning or late at night may be less convenient than usual.

Should you wait until just before Tet to book a bus?

Waiting until the last minute is not advisable, especially on popular homecoming routes.

However, there is little value in booking a service before the company has confirmed its official Tet operating schedule.

First, establish your available holiday dates. Then follow the operator’s Tet ticket release and book the correct departure.

When comparing prices, use the actual Tet 2027 fare published by the bus company for that service, rather than assuming normal weekday prices will apply.

11. Where should you stay during Tet 2027?

Hotels generally do not close for Tet in the same way as family-owned shops.

Many properties continue operating throughout the holiday, particularly in major tourist destinations.

However, room rates, breakfast service, airport transfers, and cancellation policies may change during the peak period.

In Hanoi, staying near Hoan Kiem Lake provides convenient walking access to the Old Quarter. The main consideration is finding restaurants that will be open on the first and second days of Tet.

In Ho Chi Minh City, staying in a central neighborhood gives you more options for dining, walking, and getting around.

On the other hand, hotels close to popular Tet event locations may experience heavier demand.

Travelers heading to Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, or Phu Quoc should check room prices specifically for the nights of February 5, 6, and 7 rather than relying on the monthly average.

These nights fall during the holiday period and may attract additional domestic travel demand.

Three things to ask your hotel before paying

First, what exactly is included in the quoted rate?

Ask about breakfast, holiday surcharges, children’s fees, extra beds, and service charges.

Second, which hotel facilities will operate during Tet?

A hotel accepting guests does not necessarily mean its restaurant, spa, shuttle service, and other facilities will follow their normal schedules.

Third, what are the cancellation and date-change conditions?

Some cheaper room rates are non-refundable, while Tet travel plans can be affected by transportation changes.

Keep any email or message in which the property confirms important arrangements until your stay is over.

12. Are restaurants and tourist attractions open during Tet in Vietnam?

Some are open, while others close.

There is no single nationwide closure schedule covering every restaurant, market, museum, and tourist attraction.

This is one of the most important things international travelers need to understand when planning a trip in early February 2027.

Restaurants, cafes, and traditional markets

On Lunar New Year’s Eve and the first day of Tet, many family-owned restaurants close so their owners and staff can celebrate with relatives.

Restaurants serving international visitors, hotel dining rooms, and some chain establishments may continue operating, although their hours and menus can change.

Do not assume that a popular pho restaurant in Hanoi or a small family-run eatery in Ho Chi Minh City will be open simply because Google Maps displays its normal business hours.

During the first week of February 2027, check the restaurant’s latest announcements, call, or send a message before visiting.

Traditional markets such as Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi and Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City may also have varying stall schedules.

Even when the market building is accessible, individual vendors may remain closed for several days.

Most of your food-focused days are best spent before New Year’s Eve or after the first few days of Tet, above all when street food is the main reason for your trip.

Museums and historical sites

Museums and historical attractions can have holiday schedules that differ from the standard public-sector calendar.

Some organize special New Year programs. Others close on selected dates or adjust their visitor hours.

Places such as the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, War Remnants Museum, and historical sites in Hue should all be checked against their official Tet 2027 announcements.

It would be premature to assume that every attraction has published a complete operating calendar for the upcoming holiday.

If visiting the interior of a particular site is a priority, confirm its opening schedule before arranging your journey there.

Tours, cruises, and outdoor activities

Tours in Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta may continue operating during Tet.

However, a destination being open does not mean that every tour company will run departures each day.

Cruise operators, sightseeing boats, shared vehicles, and guides all have their own schedules.

Sea-based services also depend on weather conditions and departure authorization, independently of the holiday.

For an important guided activity, request written confirmation of the departure date, meeting time, boarding location, and cancellation policy.

If your plans include Hai Phong, the flower markets, New Year activities and religious visits of Tet in Hai Phong follow the city’s own events calendar, not the nationwide holiday schedule.

13. Suggested Vietnam itinerary around Tet 2027 for international visitors

If this is your first Tet in Vietnam, an itinerary with fewer hotel changes is usually easier to manage than a fast-paced journey across the country.

Arrive before Tet and stay in one city until day three

One possible schedule is:

This approach works well for visitors who enjoy photography, cultural experiences, and slow travel.

There is no need to schedule five different restaurants on the first day of Tet.

Having two confirmed dining options within walking distance of your hotel may be far more useful than a long list of famous places that turn out to be closed.

What if you want to travel across Vietnam?

For a route such as Hanoi-Hue-Hoi An-Ho Chi Minh City, try to complete the longer travel legs before February 4 or leave the main intercity transfers until after the first few days of Tet.

Another option is to spend February 5-8 in one city and resume your journey afterward.

Avoid booking several connections with very little time between them.

A train scheduled to arrive in the morning does not guarantee that you will have enough time for the next bus if the train is delayed.

International travelers should also check their permitted length of stay, visa conditions, and relevant entry requirements before departure.

Those details are best arranged before the holiday rather than leaving them until administrative offices are closed.

14. When should Vietnamese travelers go home or take a holiday?

For people working in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, or industrial areas, the first step is understanding how many days off they actually have.

If you are going home for Tet

Book your outbound journey first, ideally aiming to arrive home before the evening of February 5.

Workers whose break starts on February 4 could look for departures on February 3 or the morning of February 4, depending on the distance.

For journeys taking more than a day, pay attention to the arrival time rather than only the departure date.

A train from Ho Chi Minh City to central or northern Vietnam may take many hours or more than a day.

Leaving on the evening of February 4 does not automatically mean arriving home early on February 5.

The return journey deserves just as much attention.

If you must be back at work on February 11, avoid scheduling your arrival too close to the beginning of your first shift.

If you are taking a family holiday

For families with only the official February 4-10 break, spending four or five nights in one destination is a reasonable option.

You could use the first day for travel, stay for several full days, and return with some time left to prepare for work.

Destinations such as Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hoi An, and Ha Long may attract large numbers of domestic travelers during Tet.

Don’t choose a destination solely because you have a week off.

Flight prices, hotel availability, and the need to reserve tours should also influence the decision.

Seven days on the holiday calendar do not necessarily mean seven full days of sightseeing.

If you want to save money

Try changing both your travel dates and direction.

Before Tet, many people leave Ho Chi Minh City to travel toward central and northern Vietnam.

After Tet, large numbers return south.

Leisure travelers may be able to use routes going against the main homecoming traffic, then compare the total cost of transport, accommodation, and local transfers.

Not every flight or train traveling in the opposite direction will be cheap, but it gives you more options than checking a single date.

If you are not restricted by your company’s holiday schedule, traveling after the first half of February may help you avoid some of the peak demand.

15. What should you book before Tet 2027?

Three dates to mark on your calendar:

• January 1, 2027: New Year’s Day.
• February 4, 2027: the official Lunar New Year holiday begins for public employees.
• February 6, 2027: the first day of Tet.

There is still time to organize a trip, but Tet train tickets and airline seats have already been released for sale.

During November and December 2026, prioritize confirming your company’s holiday schedule, checking long-distance transport availability, and reserving accommodation at your main destination.

For intercity buses, monitor the relevant operator’s announcement of its official Tet timetable.

As late January 2027 approaches, focus on checking actual operating details: flight times, train departures, bus pickup points, and the holiday opening hours of restaurants and attractions.

Finally, arrange a practical plan for meals and local transport during the first three days of the lunar year.

A confirmed hotel, a restaurant that has verified its holiday hours, and a bus with a clearly identified pickup point will make the trip much easier than arriving and trying to arrange everything on the spot.

Plan your Tet 2027 trip around your return date

Tet 2027 has two important dates to remember: January 1 for the short New Year holiday and February 6 for the beginning of the Year of the Goat. Choose your departure and return dates first, compare transportation options, and then decide where to stay and how many nights to spend there.