Western tourists enjoy experiencing the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations in Khanh Hoa.

The traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere, with its many cultural and recreational activities organized in Khanh Hoa, is making a strong impression on international tourists.

On the afternoon of January 18th, the "Traditional Tet Festival" officially opened at the Nha Trang Traditional Craft Village (Nam Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province), lasting for 45 days, until March 1st. The festival recreates the atmosphere of traditional Tet through folk games, traditional craft villages, flower markets, ancient houses, and a food court... attracting a large number of locals and tourists to visit and experience.

Foreign tourists enjoy traditional folk games. Photo: Hieu Giang

Sara, a tourist from Morocco, said she learned about the festival through her compatriots. This is her second time in Vietnam, but she had never had the opportunity to learn about Lunar New Year. "The folk games and the festive atmosphere are completely new to me. I am very happy to wear an ao dai and immerse myself in the festival," Sara shared.

Many foreign tourists expressed their delight in participating in activities recreating Vietnamese Tet customs, such as watching the making of clay figurines, the making of traditional cakes, visiting the Tet market, and enjoying traditional dishes. Many stopped to take photos, capturing moments rich in cultural color.

Sara, from Morocco, poses next to an old house in a traditional craft village in Nha Trang. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Emma, ​​an American tourist, said that the bustling atmosphere of Vietnam in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) felt both strange and familiar. During this time, she experienced making banh chung, banh tet, and spring rolls, and expressed her admiration for Vietnamese Tet cuisine.

The folk art program recreates the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration. Photo: HIEU GIANG

Tourists enjoyed watching activities recreating the atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in the past. Photo: Hieu Giang

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Executive Director of the Nha Trang Traditional Craft Village, the festival is built with multiple layers of content, including traditional Tet rituals; festival activities with folk games, art performances, craft village workshops; and a space for flower markets, Tet markets, and Tet cuisine. "The festival aims to create a space for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in and experience, and contribute to preserving traditional cultural values," Ms. Ngoc Anh said.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Tourism Association, said that the peaceful rural setting of the Nha Trang Traditional Craft Village has contributed to vividly recreating the traditional cultural activities of the nation. The diverse craft villages and food areas, rich in local identity, provide opportunities for tourists to access and experience local culture firsthand. With its extended duration, the festival is expected to become a destination that spreads traditional cultural values ​​and adds unique tourism products to Khanh Hoa, especially for the international market.

Artisans demonstrate the craft of mat weaving. Photo: HIEU GIANG

A foreign child enjoys drawing on a conical hat. Photo: HIEU GIANG

An American family walks through a Vietnamese countryside. Photo: Hieu Giang

Foreign tourists shopping at the Tet market. Photo: Hieu Giang

Many young people wore traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) to check in and celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photo: HIEU GIANG

In 2025, Khanh Hoa province is estimated to welcome approximately 16.4 million overnight visitors, an increase of 14.4% compared to the same period; of which international visitors will reach about 5.5 million, an increase of 13.4%. Total tourism revenue is expected to exceed 66.7 trillion VND, an increase of 16.8%.

Khanh Hoa's tourism industry aims to welcome approximately 18.8 million visitors in 2026, including 6.3 million international tourists and 12.5 million domestic tourists, with total projected revenue of around 77 trillion VND.

HIEU GIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khach-tay-thich-thu-trai-nghiem-tet-xua-o-khanh-hoa-post834122.html