For travelers, the practical question is simple: what shuts down, what stays open, and when should you adjust your plans? This guide walks through every public holiday in Vietnam, what actually closes around each one, and how to avoid getting stuck.
The full list of Vietnamese public holidays in 2026
Vietnam has 11 official paid public holidays. Several fall close together, creating extended breaks that locals use for domestic travel.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Duration | What closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | 1 day | Banks, government offices, some museums |
| Tet (Lunar New Year) | February 17-23 | 7-9 days | Almost everything, gradually reopening |
| Hung Kings Festival | April 26 | 1 day | Government offices, some museums |
| Reunification Day | April 30 | 1 day | Banks, government offices |
| Labor Day | May 1 | 1 day | Banks, government offices |
| National Day | September 2 | 1 day | Banks, government offices, some shops |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25 | 1 day (not official) | Schools, some family-run shops |
The dates for Tet and Hung Kings Festival follow the lunar calendar. In 2026, Tet falls on February 17, which is the first day of the Lunar New Year. The official holiday period runs from February 16 to February 22, with many businesses extending closures to a full week or more.
Tet: the big one
Tet Nguyen Dan, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is not a normal holiday. It is the single most important event in the Vietnamese calendar, and it changes how the entire country operates for about ten days.
What actually closes during Tet
The scale of closures during Tet surprises most first-time visitors. For the three days before Tet and the four to five days after, expect:
- Banks and ATMs: many ATMs run out of cash, and bank branches close for up to a week
- Government offices and embassies: closed for 7-9 days
- Museums and galleries: most close for 3-7 days
- Restaurants: street food stalls and family-run eateries close for 3-7 days; some upscale hotels keep restaurants open
- Markets: traditional markets close for 2-5 days; supermarkets in cities stay open with reduced hours
- Public transport: trains and buses run on reduced schedules, and tickets sell out weeks in advance
- Taxis and ride-hailing: Grab remains operational but with surge pricing and fewer drivers
- Hospitals and pharmacies: emergency services stay open; some pharmacies rotate closures
Hotels and resorts in tourist areas like Hoi An, Da Nang, and Nha Trang remain open. Many organize special Tet dinners and cultural activities. If you are staying in a major tourist hub, you will not starve. But the experience differs sharply from normal operations.
The golden rule for Tet travel
Do not plan internal travel during Tet week. Domestic flights, trains, and sleeper buses fill up weeks ahead as millions of Vietnamese workers return to their hometowns. Prices spike 2-3 times above normal. Roads around major cities become congested with motorbikes carrying families and potted plants.
If you arrive in Vietnam before Tet, stay put for the holiday week. Pick one city, book a hotel with a restaurant, and treat it as a cultural experience. The streets empty out on the first day of Tet, and the atmosphere is genuinely special.
If you arrive during or right after Tet, expect a slow restart. Many shops reopen gradually between day 3 and day 7 of the new lunar year. For a detailed breakdown of what to expect, read the guide to traveling in Vietnam during Tet.
What stays open during Tet
Not everything shuts down. Large supermarkets in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City keep reduced hours throughout Tet. International hotel chains run full operations. Convenience stores like Circle K and GS25 in big cities stay open, though stock levels drop.
Street food returns gradually. By day 3 of Tet, some pho stalls and coffee shops reopen. By day 5, most of the city is back to normal. The key is to check locally and ask your hotel staff what is open nearby.
Hung Kings Festival (April 26, 2026)
This holiday commemorates the legendary Hung Kings, the founders of Vietnam. The main celebrations happen at the Hung Kings Temple complex in Phu Tho province, about 90 kilometers northwest of Hanoi.
What closes
Government offices, banks, and schools close for the day. Museums in major cities may close or operate reduced hours. Most restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions stay open normally.
What happens
The festival draws large crowds to Phu Tho. Processions, incense offerings, and traditional performances take place over several days. If you are in Hanoi, expect heavy traffic on roads leading to the temple area on the holiday itself.
For most travelers, this holiday has minimal impact. It is worth knowing about because it creates a long weekend: Hung Kings Festival on Sunday, then Reunification Day on Thursday, and Labor Day on Friday. Many Vietnamese take the days in between off, creating a 5-day break with heavy domestic travel.
Reunification Day and Labor Day (April 30 - May 1)
These two holidays mark the fall of Saigon in 1975 and International Workers' Day. They always fall on the same dates, creating an automatic 2-day break. When they fall near a weekend, the break extends.
What closes
Banks, government offices, and some museums close. Most restaurants, cafes, and shops stay open. Tourist attractions operate normally, often with increased crowds.
What happens
This is one of the busiest domestic travel periods of the year. Vietnamese families take advantage of the long weekend to visit beaches and cities. Expect crowded beaches in Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Vung Tau. Hotels in coastal destinations book out weeks in advance.
The practical takeaway: if you are in Vietnam during this period, book accommodation early. Domestic flight prices rise. Road traffic around major cities gets heavy, especially on the first and last days of the break.
National Day (September 2)
This holiday marks Vietnam's declaration of independence in 1945. It is a single-day holiday, though the government often extends it with a "bridge day" to create a longer weekend.
What closes
Banks, government offices, and some museums close. Most of the tourism industry operates normally. Street food vendors and markets stay open.
What happens
Fireworks displays happen in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The atmosphere is patriotic but relaxed. Domestic travel picks up, though not to Tet or April 30 levels.
For travelers, this holiday has minimal impact. The main thing to watch is whether September 2 falls near a weekend, which can create a 3-day break and increase domestic tourism.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September 25, 2026)
This is not an official public holiday, so government offices and banks stay open. But it matters because of what happens in the streets.
What happens
Children parade with lanterns, families eat mooncakes, and lion dances fill the streets. In Hoi An, the festival coincides with the full moon, creating a spectacular lantern display. The old town gets crowded, and the Hoi An things to do guide covers what to expect.
Travel impact
Minimal closures. Some family-run shops close early for celebrations. Mooncake stalls pop up everywhere for about a month beforehand. It is a great time to be in Vietnam, especially in cities with strong traditions like Hanoi and Hoi An.
Other observances that affect travel
Several non-official dates create localized disruptions or celebrations worth planning around.
Christmas (December 24-25)
Vietnam has a significant Catholic population, especially in the south. Christmas Eve sees large crowds at cathedrals in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat. Hotels and restaurants in city centers book out. The churches and Catholicism in Vietnam guide covers where to see the best celebrations.
Lunar New Year's Eve
The night before Tet, known as Giao Thua, is when families gather for the biggest meal of the year. Most restaurants close by early evening. Streets empty out around midnight. Fireworks displays happen in major cities.
Wandering Souls Day (August 28, 2026)
This Buddhist observance, also called Vu Lan, honors ancestors. It falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Temples hold ceremonies. Some families prepare offerings. Travel impact is minimal, but temple etiquette matters if you visit during this period. The temple etiquette in Vietnam guide covers what to know.
How closures vary by city
The impact of any holiday depends heavily on where you are.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
The big cities have the most resilient infrastructure. International hotels, convenience stores, and upscale restaurants operate through most holidays. Street food disappears during Tet but returns within a week. Museums and galleries close on official holidays but reopen the next day.
Hoi An
Hoi An's old town is a special case. The where to stay in Hoi An guide notes that the old town operates on tourism, so closures during Tet are shorter than elsewhere. Many restaurants stay open, though prices rise. The lantern festival on the 14th of each lunar month continues regardless of other holidays.
Da Nang and Nha Trang
These beach cities see heavy domestic tourism during April 30-May 1 and summer holidays. Expect crowded beaches and full hotels. During Tet, many seafood restaurants close for several days. The Da Nang food scene guide lists places that stay open year-round.
Da Lat
Da Lat's cool climate makes it a popular domestic destination during holidays. The Da Lat things to do guide covers attractions that operate through most holidays. During Tet, the flower market and main market stay busy, but smaller shops close.
Rural areas and small towns
The fewer tourists a place sees, the more completely it shuts down during Tet. In places like Mai Chau, Cao Bang, or the Mekong Delta, expect most restaurants and shops to close for a full week. Homestays may operate but with limited food options. Plan accordingly.
Practical strategies for holiday travel
Book transport early
For Tet and the April 30-May 1 break, book trains, flights, and buses at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Domestic flight prices can double. Sleeper buses fill up. The Vietnam by train guide covers how to book tickets.
Carry enough cash
ATMs run out of cash during Tet. Banks close for up to a week. Carry enough Vietnamese dong to cover 3-4 days of expenses. The exchanging money in Vietnam guide explains where to get good rates before the holiday hits.
Confirm restaurant hours
Do not assume a restaurant is open just because it has a sign. During Tet, many places post handwritten notices with reopening dates. Ask your hotel staff to call ahead. The translation apps for Vietnam guide covers apps that can help read these notices.
Stay flexible
Holidays in Vietnam are not rigid. The government sometimes adds "bridge days" to create longer weekends. Businesses extend closures or reopen early based on local conditions. Build flexibility into your itinerary, especially around Tet.
Use hotel restaurants
During major holidays, hotel restaurants are the most reliable option. They may cost more than street food, but they stay open. Many hotels offer special holiday menus. Book dinner in advance during Tet, as hotel restaurants fill up with guests who cannot find other options.
The bottom line
Vietnam's public holidays are not a reason to avoid the country. They are a reason to plan better. Tet is the only holiday that genuinely disrupts travel, and even then, the experience of seeing Vietnam at its most traditional is worth the inconvenience. The April 30-May 1 break creates crowds but no closures. The rest of the holidays have minimal impact on tourists.
Check the lunar calendar before booking. Confirm what is open at your destination. Carry cash during Tet. Book transport early for major breaks. With those four steps, holidays become part of the experience rather than a problem.
FAQ
Q: Is Vietnam completely shut down during Tet? A: No. Hotels, international restaurants, and convenience stores in major cities stay open. Street food and family-run shops close for 3-7 days. Government offices and banks close for the full holiday period.
Q: Can I travel between cities during Tet? A: Yes, but expect higher prices and limited availability. Trains, buses, and flights sell out weeks in advance. Roads get congested. Most travelers should stay in one place during Tet week.
Q: Do ATMs work during Vietnamese holidays? A: ATMs work but frequently run out of cash during Tet. Withdraw enough money before the holiday starts. Bank branches close for up to a week, so reloading a card or exchanging currency becomes difficult.
Q: Are museums and attractions open on public holidays? A: Government-run museums and historical sites often close on official holidays. Private attractions and tourist-oriented sites usually stay open. Check individual websites or call ahead.
Q: What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend? A: The government usually adds a compensatory day off on the following Monday. This creates a 3-day weekend and increases domestic travel.
Q: Is the Mid-Autumn Festival a public holiday? A: No. It is a cultural festival, not an official holiday. Government offices and banks stay open. Expect street celebrations, lanterns, and mooncake stalls, especially in Hoi An and Hanoi.
Q: When is the best time to visit Vietnam to avoid holiday crowds? A: Late February through early April, after Tet and before the April 30 break, offers good weather and fewer domestic tourists. September after National Day also works well.