Experience the profound culture of Vietnamese Tet.
For over a decade, the "Banh Chung Festival" at The Cliff Resort & Residences in Mui Ne ward, Lam Dong province, has been held regularly, becoming a familiar cultural event. The event attracts hundreds of international tourists vacationing in Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and surrounding areas.
The festival recreates the custom of wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) – a culinary symbol deeply rooted in the nation's traditions and culture; it also provides a space for visitors to directly experience and learn about the profound cultural significance of the Vietnamese New Year. Each year, the program is innovated but still retains the authentic flavor of the Tet holiday in the coastal region.
According to representatives from The Cliff Resort & Residences, this year's Banh Chung Festival continues to make a new mark by expanding its scale with over 200 international tourists participating in wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) in dong leaves. In addition, visitors can experience wearing traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), practicing calligraphy, making clay figurines, and enjoying Tet (Vietnamese New Year) cuisine. The lively organization allows visitors to directly experience the atmosphere of Vietnamese Tet, contributing to creating a unique cultural tourism product for Mui Ne every spring.
Participating in the festival, Antije, a tourist from Germany, went from surprise to delight. “It was a very interesting experience to personally wrap banh chung – the symbolic dish of Vietnamese people during the traditional Tet holiday. The atmosphere here is so lively and joyful. Seeing how the people decorated the space to welcome the Spring with such vibrant colors, we understand more about the meaning of the traditional rituals of each region,” Antije shared.
At Pandanus Resort in Mui Ne ward, a series of Lunar New Year activities are held annually, becoming a major attraction for international tourists with the unique characteristics of a coastal New Year celebration. This year, the series of events, "Springtime Serenity - Family Reunion," kicks off with the "Village Festival of Spring" featuring unique cultural activities and folk games such as bamboo pole dancing, dice games, clay figurine making, fortune telling, calligraphy, and enjoying traditional sweets and preserves. In addition, a "Spring Opening Gala Dinner" is held with traditional New Year dishes and artistic performances, lasting from the 24th day of the 12th lunar month to the 6th day of the 1st lunar month. These activities contribute to creating a New Year atmosphere rich in Vietnamese culture, providing guests with interactive experiences and making their vacation more meaningful and memorable.
French tourist Motger Josélyne was particularly impressed with the vividly recreated Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere, from the decorations of apricot and peach blossoms and red couplets to the activities of enjoying traditional cuisine and folk games. According to Ms. Motger Josélyne, organizing Tet experiences right at the resort gives international tourists staying for extended periods during the winter season more options for entertainment and exploring local culture without having to travel far.
In particular, many tourists, after experiencing the Vietnamese Tet holiday, have returned on subsequent occasions or recommended the destination to friends and relatives. This contributes to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people to the world.
Julia (a tourist from Russia) said this was her sixth visit to Mui Ne and her second time experiencing the Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere. Besides making banh chung (traditional rice cakes), she enjoyed strolling through the flower market; the Vietnamese Tet was filled with colorful flowers and a vibrant atmosphere. She wished everyone a new year filled with joy, health, and happiness. She said she would recommend this place to her friends in Russia and hoped to have the opportunity to celebrate the traditional Tet with her Vietnamese friends again.
Tourism focused on experiencing local culture is on the rise.
Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) has its own unique characteristics, closely linked to family and community life. The atmosphere of reunion and rituals imbued with humanistic values create a strong attraction for international tourists. Effectively exploiting these traditional cultural values has contributed to the stronger development of local cultural experience tourism products, helping to enhance Vietnam's position in the international tourism market.
In Lam Dong, many tours are designed with an experiential focus, allowing tourists to participate in traditional cultural activities. Besides making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and participating in spring festivals, tourists can also experience the Cham pottery village of Binh Duc; the traditional rice paper making village of Phu Long; explore coastal fishing villages; visit traditional markets and learn about local seafood cuisine… These programs not only offer novel experiences but also contribute to increasing the length of stay and spending of tourists.
According to Albert van der Westhuizwn, General Manager of Pandanus Resort, tourism products associated with the traditional Lunar New Year are becoming an important factor in attracting international tourists at the beginning of the year.
To make the Vietnamese Tet holiday a truly distinctive, competitive, and sustainable tourism product, tourism experts suggest several solutions. These include developing professional and systematic Tet tourism products, while also diversifying the spaces and forms of experiences. Besides traditional craft villages and community tourism destinations, developing Tet-themed spaces within resorts, tourist cities, and entertainment areas is crucial to create more opportunities for tourists, especially those staying for extended periods during the winter season.
Tim Grosse, Regional Director for Vietnam and Cambodia at Go Vacation Vietnam, believes that organizing Tet holiday experiences enriches and enhances tourists' vacation programs. However, many tourists only learn about these activities once they arrive at their destination. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen coordination between resorts, management companies, and local authorities in promotional efforts, and to provide information to travel agencies early, as tourists often book tours about six months in advance.
According to Tim Grosse, cultural tourism is becoming a popular trend among international tourists in 2026. This year, in addition to visiting scenic destinations, tourists want to explore and experience more of the lives, customs, and traditions of the local people. The trip is not rushed, but allows time to enjoy the local culture and cuisine. Tourists appreciate additional activities that help them learn about local culture, such as visiting markets or participating in cooking classes.
Surveys conducted at several accommodation and tourism businesses in Mui Ne ward show that the number of domestic and international tourists during this year's Lunar New Year holiday remained stable and slightly increased compared to last year. Many accommodations had room bookings reaching 70-85%. During the peak period from February 16-19 (the 29th day of the 12th lunar month to the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year), many establishments achieved 100% occupancy.
According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong province, in January 2026, the province welcomed approximately 1.7 million visitors, an increase of over 23% compared to the same period in 2025. Of these, international visitors reached 170,000, an increase of 41.6%. Tourism revenue is estimated at 4,945 billion VND.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/tet-viet-hutkhach-tay-20260215084042683.htm
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