When Is Tết 2026 (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)? Important Dates Travelers Should Know

Last Update: Wednesday January 21, 2026

Tết, also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. If you’re planning a trip in early 2026, understanding when Tết 2026 takes place, what it means culturally, and how it affects travel can help you plan better and avoid surprises.

In this guide, we’ll explain what is Tết Vietnam, key dates for Tết 2026, traditional customs, and what to expect when traveling during Tết.

What Is Tết Vietnam? (Vietnamese Lunar New Year Explained)

The Meaning of Tết in Vietnamese Culture

Tết (short for Tết Nguyên Đán) marks the arrival of the Lunar New Year based on the lunar calendar. It symbolizes renewal, family reunion, gratitude to ancestors, and hopes for good luck and prosperity.

For Vietnamese people, Tết is more important than Christmas or New Year’s Day in many Western countries. Families return to their hometowns, businesses close, and cities transform with festive decorations.

How Tết Differs From Western New Year

While Western New Year is celebrated on January 1st, Tết usually falls between late January and mid-February. The exact date changes every year depending on the lunar calendar.

When Is Tết 2026? Key Dates to Know

In 2026, the official Tết holiday is expected to run:

• From Saturday, February 14, 2026

• Until the end of Sunday, February 22, 2026

• Normal visa processing resumes on Monday, February 23, 2026

During this period, all Vietnamese government offices, including the Immigration Department, will be closed, and standard visa and e-visa processing will be temporarily suspended.

Vietnam New Year Traditions You’ll See During Tết

Photo: Collected

Family Reunions and Ancestor Worship

During Tết, Vietnamese families gather to honor ancestors with offerings of food, incense, and prayers. Many people travel long distances to return home, making transportation extremely busy.

Tết Decorations and Symbols

• Yellow apricot flowers (Southern Vietnam)

You’ll see streets and homes decorated with:

• Peach blossoms (Northern Vietnam)

• Kumquat trees

• Red banners with lucky wishes

These symbols represent luck, wealth, and happiness for the new year.

Traditional Food and Customs

Photo: Collected

Popular Tết foods include:

• Bánh chưng / Bánh tét (sticky rice cakes)

• Pickled vegetables

• Candied fruits

Children receive lì xì (red envelopes with lucky money), and people avoid bad luck behaviors such as arguing or breaking things.

What to Expect When Traveling During Tết

Transportation Is Extremely Busy in Tourist Destinations

Tết is the busiest travel period of the year in Vietnam. Flights, trains, and buses often sell out quickly—especially in the days leading up to Tết, when people return to their hometowns to celebrate with family.

Pro Tips: Book your transportation and accommodation at least 4–6 weeks in advance to avoid fully booked services or unexpected situations.

Business Closures and Limited Services

During Tết, many services operate on reduced schedules or close temporarily from 1st to 3rd January (Lunar Calendar), at least. 

• Government offices: Closed

• Banks: Closed or operating with limited hours

• Shops and restaurants: Many are closed, especially on the first day of the Lunar New Year

• Tourist attractions: Partially open, depending on location

However, major tourist cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hoi An usually still have hotels, restaurants, and essential services available, although options may be limited.

Visa Processing Policy During the Tết Holiday

At Vietnam-immi.org, we recognize that travel plans don't always match public holidays. Business trips, family matters, and last-minute flights may still need urgent visa solutions.

What you should know:

• Standard visa and e-visa processing will pause during the Tết holiday.
• Vietnam-Immi.org customer support is available 24/7.

Even during the holiday, our experienced team is ready to assist travelers with:

• Visa consultation and guidance
• Application checks to avoid document errors 
• Emergency and expedited visa requests where possible

📌 Important note: Urgent visa processing during Tết is very limited and fees may be higher due to holiday surcharges and reduced government capacity.

Airport Services During Tết 2026

Good news for travelers arriving during the holiday that these services will continue to operate normally throughout the Tết holiday:

• Airport Fast Track services
• Airport pickup and drop-off services

Our on-ground airport team will help you with:

• Fast immigration clearance
• Reduced waiting time
• Smooth arrival and departure, even during busy holiday crowds

You can apply easily here 

Contact Us During the Tết Holiday

Our support team works 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, including all public holidays, to ensure you receive timely assistance.

📞 WhatsApp: +84379522522

📞 Hotline: +84.379.522.522

📧 Email: sales@vietnam-immi.org

We are always ready to support you so you can enjoy a smooth and worry-free journey to Vietnam.

How to Request an Urgent Visa During the Tết Holiday

If you must travel during the Tết period and require urgent visa support:

1. Visit 👉 https://vietnam-immi.org/e-visa

2. Complete your visa application carefully with accurate information

3. Immediately contact our support team via WhatsApp or email

4. Inform us of your urgent travel date and request

Our visa specialists will work outside normal hours to support your case to the maximum extent possible, depending on immigration system availability.

Plan Ahead for Tết 2026 – Avoid Visa Delays & Extra Costs

Pro tips: Being well prepared with your Vietnam visa and airport services will help you avoid delays, higher fees, and unnecessary hassle, as visa processing during Tết can be more complex and costly.
If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team:

• Website: https://vietnam-immi.org/booking

• WhatsApp: +84379522522

• Hotline: +84.379.522.522

• Email: sales@vietnam-immi.org