What's celebrated and when — with 2026 and 2027 dates, crowd levels, and booking tips.
Tetnationalcultural
17-February-2026 · 2027: 6-February-2027 · 7 days · Best in Hanoi · Crowds: extreme
Vietnamese Lunar New Year with family gatherings, fireworks, and flower markets.
HS.tintin (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Flower markets
- Fireworks
- Traditional foods
Booking: Book 1-2 months ahead
Hung Kings Temple Festivalnationalnational
26-April-2026 · 2027: 16-April-2027 · 3 days · Best in Phu Tho · Crowds: high
Lunar 10th day of 3rd month — UNESCO-listed commemoration of Vietnam's legendary founders at Hung Temple in Phu Tho province. Processions, xoi (sticky rice) offerings, and traditional folk games.
- Hung Temple pilgrimage
- Bánh chưng rice cake offerings
- Folk games and wrestling
Booking: Day trip from Hanoi; book Phu Tho accommodation 4-6 weeks ahead
Mid-Autumn Festivalnationalcultural
25-September-2026 · 2027: 15-October-2027 · 1 days · Best in Hanoi · Crowds: moderate
Children's festival with colorful lantern processions through old quarters, lion dances, and mooncake sharing. Hanoi's Old Quarter is magical.
Newone (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Lantern processions
- Lion dances
- Mooncakes
Booking: No special booking needed
Reunification Daynationalnational
30-April-2026 · 2027: 30-April-2027 · 1 days · Best in Ho Chi Minh City · Crowds: moderate
April 30 marks the 1975 fall of Saigon and Vietnam's reunification. Ho Chi Minh City's Reunification Palace is the centerpiece; evening fireworks at the Saigon River and free museum entry.
Jubair1985 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Reunification Palace tours
- Saigon River fireworks
- Free war museum entry
Booking: Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak periods
Vietnam National Daynationalnational
2-September-2026 · 2027: 2-September-2027 · 1 days · Best in Hanoi · Crowds: moderate
September 2 marks Ho Chi Minh's 1945 declaration of independence. Main ceremony at Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi) — where the declaration was read — with military parade and free entry to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Ba Dinh Square parade
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum free entry
- Hanoi military displays
Booking: Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak periods
Hue Festivallocalarts entertainment
25-April-2026 · 2027: 25-April-2027 · 7 days · Best in Hue · Crowds: high
Biennial arts festival in Vietnam's former imperial capital featuring traditional court music, ao dai fashion shows, and performances in the Citadel.
Lưu Ly (Public domain)
- Royal court music
- Ao dai fashion shows
- Citadel performances
Booking: Book 3-4 weeks ahead