A 'gold mine' for Tet holiday tourism.

The trend of celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) is increasing sharply.

Originally from Hanoi, Nam Thanh (32 years old, residing in Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) has been working in Ho Chi Minh City for 10 years. This year, he's torn between returning home to celebrate with his parents or going on a trip . His biggest dilemma is the cost. "A round-trip plane ticket costs over 10 million VND. Going alone costs tens of millions, and going with two people would use up all my Tet bonus – it's heartbreaking," Thanh said. Ultimately, instead of crowding onto a long, expensive flight, he decided to save the money to send back to his parents and choose a trip closer to Ho Chi Minh City. "In all the years I've been here, I've never celebrated Tet in the South before. This year I'll explore it," Thanh shared.

Ms. Thai Hoa (39 years old, residing in Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) also said that right after the first day of the Lunar New Year, her family will fly to Phu Quoc for a vacation. "After the year-end ceremony, the whole family planned to celebrate Tet in Phu Quoc because there are beautiful hotels, fun places to visit, and the climate during the New Year is warm, not too harsh. I planned this 4 months in advance, so the cost of rooms and transportation is completely within our means," Ms. Hoa shared.

'Mỏ vàng' du lịch tết- Ảnh 1. — Many young families tend to "celebrate Tet" rather than "eat Tet."

Based on search volume for check-in dates, Agoda reports that demand for Lunar New Year travel among Vietnamese tourists increased by nearly 22% compared to the same period last year, primarily for domestic tours. An Agoda representative stated: The 9-day Lunar New Year holiday, along with the habit of using annual leave to extend vacation time, allows families to reconnect, relax, and explore domestic destinations, rather than worrying about the complicated procedures of international travel.

The trend of traveling during Tet (Lunar New Year) has also been confirmed by travel companies. Ms. Tran Bao Thu, Director of Marketing and Communications at Vietluxtour, reported that the demand for Tet travel has increased by approximately 15-20% compared to the same period last year. "Tet travel now is not just about going out for fun, but is also seen as a spiritual gift, helping to regenerate energy for the whole family after a year," Ms. Thu explained.

A survey by Vietluxtour shows that despite tightening spending in many other areas, a segment of tourists are willing to increase their budget for relaxation and experiences. "Tourists are spending more on services that offer clear value, such as high-quality hotels and resorts; beautiful rooms in good locations; and all-inclusive packages with minimal unexpected costs. The high-end resort and private tour segments are recording better spending levels compared to the general average. Many groups of tourists are willing to upgrade from 4-star to 5-star hotels, choose secluded resorts, or opt for high-quality meals. This shows that a mindset focused on enjoyment and mental well-being is on the rise," Ms. Thu analyzed.

'Mỏ vàng' du lịch tết- Ảnh 2. — Airports are crowded in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

Competition to attract tourists during Tet holiday.

The trend of celebrating Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) has sparked a race among many destinations to invest in Tet-themed tourism products. In Hanoi , the "Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet 2026" event series, taking place from January 17th to March 17th in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, features displays of handicrafts, recreations of traditional Tet spaces, and performances of folk art and rituals. This space serves both tourism needs and contributes to spreading the cultural values of the traditional Tet holiday to locals and tourists. The programs clearly demonstrate the goal of transforming the Lunar New Year into a unique tourism product of the capital city.

In the Northwest region, Sun World Fansipan Legend (Sa Pa) continues to be a popular destination during Tet (Lunar New Year) with its cable car experience to the summit of Fansipan, cloud hunting, visits to the spiritual complex, and cultural activities at Ban May. The spring festival atmosphere is maintained from the end of the 12th lunar month until after the 6th day of Tet, harmoniously combining pilgrimage, relaxation, and nature exploration. Sun World Ba Na Hills (Da Nang) organizes a series of spring festivals with Tet-themed decorations, art mini-shows, street performances, and a check-in area at the French Village. During this time, Ba Na Hills becomes a "festival city in the clouds," attracting the attention of many families and groups of young people.

The Nguyen Hue Flower Street for Tet Binh Ngo 2026, themed "Spring Gathering - Steadfastly Moving Forward," in Ho Chi Minh City will be open from 7 PM on February 15th to 9 PM on February 22nd (from the 28th of the 12th lunar month to the 6th day of Tet), promising to attract a large number of domestic and international tourists. This year, in addition to the flower displays, food, art, and interactive activities continue to be key cultural and tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City. Some major displays will remain open until the end of March 22nd, 2026, for visitors.

In addition, for the past few years, Sun World Nui Ba Den (Tay Ninh) has maintained its role as a major spiritual spring travel destination in Southern Vietnam. Spring festival activities, pilgrimages, visits to Buddha statues, cable car experiences, and mountain and forest sightseeing take place throughout January.

Among tourist destinations for the Lunar New Year, Phu Quoc continues to be a highlight with a significant increase in accommodation. Besides island tours, the Hon Thom cable car, VinWonders, and Phu Quoc Safari are always fully booked. Resorts are organizing a series of celebratory activities from mid to late February 2026, featuring cultural programs, culinary experiences, wellness services, lion dances, BBQs, afternoon tea, lucky games, and spa treatments. Tourists can also participate in food festivals and lion and dragon dances at Dinh Cau, Duong Dong, and enjoy fireworks displays over the sea.

'Mỏ vàng' du lịch tết- Ảnh 3. — Familiar dishes during the Lunar New Year in Northern Vietnam

'Mỏ vàng' du lịch tết- Ảnh 4. — Lunar New Year is an occasion for many people who live far from home to return and reunite with their families.

The spiritual value of Tet (Lunar New Year) remains unchanged.

Cultural researcher Do Quang Tuan Hoang, General Director of Gori Vietnam Company (a travel agency specializing in local knowledge tours), commented: Truly, Tet (Lunar New Year) is a holiday. When each person balances family responsibilities and personal interests, how they use their holiday is their right. With societal development, the pressure to "do this, do that" is no longer as heavy as before. Therefore, "celebrating Tet" in the sense of traveling and experiencing new things has become popular for about 15 years now.

From a cultural perspective, Dr. Vu The Long, former Head of the Human and Environment Research Department (Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), explains: It's not by chance that it's called "eating Tet." In the past, food and provisions were scarce, and to have something to eat, people had to save and stockpile. In the agricultural plan, chickens and pigs were all planned in advance for Tet. The complicated preparations made Tet a joyful occasion, as the saying goes, "full for three days of Tet." However, Tet is not just about eating; it's also about the need for family reunions, the emotional and spiritual needs of those working far away returning to their parents, siblings, spouses, and children. As society becomes more modern, the need to "go out and have fun" has emerged as a part of Tet.

"In rural areas of northern Vietnam, family reunions during Tet (Lunar New Year) are a great need. As society develops and the economy improves, people have the means to travel and go on trips. But for Vietnamese people, Tet remains a time for children to return home to their families and parents, a sacred value. The spiritual value of Tet is something that cannot be changed," emphasized Dr. Vu The Long.

I used to live abroad, and for many years I couldn't go home for Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). Eventually, I realized that Tet is a very precious tradition. Other countries also have festivals and holidays, but for Vietnam, Tet is a very special time, something to cherish, something essential for bonding, unity, and love.

Dr. Vu The Long

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mo-vang-du-lich-tet-185260120194315507.htm