Attractive programs to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year for tourists.

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) is a special and much-anticipated time for the Vietnamese people. Not only Vietnamese people, but also international tourists visiting Ha Long, Quang Ninh , have many opportunities to learn about and experience Vietnamese Tet through various programs and family celebrations.

According to travel agencies and hotels, this year's 9-day Lunar New Year holiday, along with many special activities to celebrate the holiday, is a contributing factor to attracting tourists to Ha Long. Immediately after Christmas and New Year's Day, the number of international tourists tends to increase, with many international visitors booking tours to experience the special traditional Vietnamese New Year.

faf — A vibrant and festive atmosphere, imbued with the spirit of spring, is how Citadines Hotel and many other major hotels are welcoming guests during the 2025 Lunar New Year.

For many years, the program of welcoming international tourists to celebrate the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year has been a focus of hotels and travel agencies. Each year, the program undergoes changes, but it never loses its charm, preserving the traditional spirit of the New Year while offering many new and exciting experiences. This is a truly attractive highlight for tourists, providing unforgettable memories.

During this time, travel agencies and hotels organize activities to promote the traditional Tet holiday culture; and offer experiences and festive activities for tourists. The first thing that impresses is the Tet atmosphere. Many hotels decorate their spaces in a traditional Tet style with peach blossoms, couplets, and brightly colored red firecrackers. Some even recreate spaces for traditional folk games, rural markets, and food markets... to serve the people and tourists throughout the Tet holiday, dedicating Tet-themed corners for guests to take photos and check in...

However, perhaps the most attractive and engaging program is the opportunity for tourists to learn about and experience making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) for Tet, something that many international visitors to Vietnam particularly enjoy. Large hotels such as Muong Thanh, Novotel, and Citadines even arrange cozy spaces and provide hands-on guidance on wrapping and cooking banh chung right within the hotel grounds. Tourists are also taught how to make banh chung and jam; guided on how to play traditional games like O An Quan (a board game), Tung Chuyen (a ball game), and Dung Dang Dung De (a traditional children's game); or provided with a private space to watch special Tet films…

faf — International tourists listen to presentations and participate in the experience of making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) at Muong Thanh hotel chain.

"Even this Tet holiday, guests can participate in wrapping and transporting cakes to donate to poor households, ethnic minority areas, or remote schools... to clearly feel the humanitarian significance of the 'Warm and Prosperous Tet' program of the Muong Thanh hotel system," shared Ms. Do Dieu Linh, Director of Muong Thanh Grand Ha Long Hotel.

Besides the atmosphere steeped in traditional colors, the highlight is the New Year's Eve party program organized by various venues and locations starting from the evening of December 29th (Lunar Calendar), featuring activities such as bamboo pole dancing, traditional song and dance performances, international music, and ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) fashion shows. Hotels with a European style, such as Novotel, Wyndham, and Citadines, offer a more unique and distinctive style: a countdown ceremony with a Western New Year's theme, buffet, cocktails, music, and games lasting from New Year's Eve into 2025.

In particular, international tourists have many opportunities to interact with and better understand the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Tet in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, through tour programs including visiting local homes, experiencing the making of banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and shopping for Tet at the market.

For example, Halo Bay Homestay (Ha Long City) will organize Tet celebrations, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the Tet atmosphere of Vietnamese families, participating in making banh chung (traditional rice cakes), shopping for Tet, visiting flower markets, decorating houses, and enjoying New Year's meals... "International tourists really enjoy experiencing Vietnamese Tet culture. Every year, we are ready to organize these activities whenever guests request them," shared Ms. Do Thi Hien, the owner of the homestay.

Traditional bamboo pole dancing and many other fun and entertaining activities will be organized for visitors to enjoy the spring and celebrate Tet.

In addition, during the period leading up to and during the Lunar New Year, tourists can enjoy art programs and celebrate the traditional New Year at popular entertainment venues such as: 30/10 Square, Sunworld Ha Long Park; experience traditional houses and Tet decorations at the Quang Ninh Museum; spring flower markets in Hon Gai, Bai Chay, and many other areas…

Notably, this year tourists can also participate in many discount programs and promotional activities to encourage spring travel, such as: discounts of 5-10% on transportation and boat tours in Ha Long Bay, and discounts of up to 30-40% on conference services and hotel rooms.

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