Vietnam Events
2025 Calendar
Tet (Vietnam New Year)
Spanning several days, this important festival marks the New Year in Vietnam. It is a time for people to return to their childhood homes and honour their ancestors. Traditions include eating sticky rice cakes called bánh chưng and bánh tét, and decorating homes with red lanterns, flowers and other festive ornaments.
For a more authentic festival experience, visit a smaller temple, away from tourist hotspots. Support local businesses by purchasing Tet decorations, food and crafts from local vendors.
Lim Festival
This annual festival celebrates the unique folk singing tradition of Quan Ho. The event takes place in Bac Ninh province and features captivating song and dance performances. People wear traditional costumes and enjoy folk games and local food. Ceremonial rituals take place at Lim Pagoda.
This festival preserves a unique aspect of Vietnamese culture. Be respectful of the rituals and deep-rooted cultural traditions while enjoying the captivating performances.
Giong Festival
Recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this traditional Hanoian festival is held to honour of the legendary hero, Thánh Gióng, who protected his nation from foreign enemies. The festival features vibrant costumes and processions, rituals performance and re-enactments of ancient battles.
Travel to the festival by eco-friendly electric vehicle and remember to dress modestly when visiting religious sites, ensuring that shoulders and knees are covered.
Perfume Pagoda Festival
For Vietnamese Buddhists, this annual pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda offers a chance to reflect, pray and seek blessings for the year ahead. The pagoda, which is part of a complex of temples and shrines located in the sacred Huong Tich Cave, is accessed through a landscape of stunning limestone karsts, serene rivers and lush rice paddies.
When travelling to the pagoda by boat, hire a local rower to support the community and bring a refillable water bottle to help reduce plastic waste.
Yen Tu Mountain Festival
This annual pilgrimage of Vietnam’s Zen Buddhist community follows in the footsteps of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, who founded the nation’s first school of Zen Buddhism here in the 13th century. The festival, which involves solemn processions, prayers and rituals, takes place at Dong Pagoda in the Yen Tu mountains of Quang Ninh Province.
Choose to hike up the mountain instead of using the cable car to reduce energy consumption and remember to take rubbish with you when you leave.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
7 Aug, 5 Sep, 5 Oct, 3 Nov, 3 Dec
Every month, on the night of the full moon, the ancient town of Hoi An transforms into a dazzling display with thousands of lanterns illuminating the streets along the Thu Bon River. The riverside comes alive with music from bamboo flutes, drums and fiddles, while street food stalls line the riverbanks, offering delicious local specialties.
Participate in the festivities responsibly by choosing biodegradable lanterns and avoid releasing plastic or non-eco-friendly materials into the river.
Ao Dai Festival
This annual event celebrates Vietnam’s traditional ao dai fashion with festivities centring around Nguyen Hue Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include a vibrant parade, design competitions, photo contests and exhibitions.
Join in the festivities by renting or purchasing a locally made ao dai. Travel to the event on foot or by electric vehicle and bring a refillable water bottle and reusable bag to minimise plastic waste.
Hue Festival
Celebrating Hue’s rich history and royal heritage, this event will take place throughout the year with Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter activities. The grandeur of Vietnam’s imperial past is brought to life through street performances, art exhibitions and traditional music and dance.
Support independent businesses by shopping and dining at local shops and eateries. Explore smaller venues for a more authentic experience and avoid overcrowded hotspots.
Hung King Temple Festival
The festival honours the legendary Hung Kings, who played an important role in shaping Vietnam’s history and identity. Solemn ceremonies are performed by Buddhist monks while traditional dance performances, handicraft displays and food stalls add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Visit early to avoid the crowds and remember to dress modestly when visiting religious sites, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. Avoid purchasing offerings made of single-use plastics.
Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival
This festival is a cherished tradition among the Kinh, Khmer, Cham and Hoa communities of Sam Mountain in Chau Doc city. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the festival celebrates the region’s cultural diversity and rich heritage, while honouring the significant contributions of women to society.
Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. Avoid burning incense as this practice is being gradually phased out to protect the environment.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival
This annual event brings pyrotechnic experts from around the world to Da Nang, Vietnam. International teams compete for the title of fireworks champion, lighting up the sky with their unique visual displays. The event takes place along the Han River every Saturday evening for several weeks.
Walk to the riverside or use eco-friendly transport to reduce carbon emissions. Watch the displays from an eco-friendly venue and avoid plastic packaging when buying street food.
Independence Day
This day commemorates Vietnam’s declaration of independence in 1945. The day begins with flag-raising ceremonies and wreath-laying at monuments honouring national heroes. Parades, cultural performances, and fireworks light up cities and towns across the nation. The streets are adorned with vibrant red and yellow banners, symbolizing national pride.
Travel on foot or by electric vehicle for an eco-friendly experience and to reduce traffic congestion. Observe the ceremonies with respect and be mindful of local history and culture.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Marked by colourful lanterns and delicious treats, this popular festival takes place in the middle of autumn, when the moon is believed to be at its fullest and brightest. The event has become synonymous with moon cakes, a traditional pastry filled with sweet bean or lotus seed paste. People also enjoy making paper lanterns, while children have fun dressing up in colourful masks.
Choose lanterns crafted by local artisans using natural materials instead of plastic ones, and savour traditional moon cakes prepared at small local bakeries.
