Tet 2026 — the Year of the Horse — starts on February 17. The official holiday window runs February 14 through 22: nine days. Every expat I know eventually faces the same choice around late January: book a flight out, or figure out how to stay.
I’ve done both. Leaving sounds rational until you see the airfare. Staying is manageable once you know the rules. Here’s the honest version of what actually happens.
Should You Stay or Leave for Tet?
Leaving costs money. Flights from Vietnam to anywhere in Southeast Asia double or triple in price starting in late January, and by mid-February — if you haven’t booked — you’re paying peak rates or finding nothing. Buses and trains inside Vietnam fill up just as fast.
Staying is cheaper and genuinely interesting if you approach it right. The country transforms. Streets empty. Cities quiet down. You get access to the actual rhythm of Vietnamese life that’s invisible during normal tourist season.
The honest take on Vietnam after six years is that Tet is one of the things you actually miss when you’re gone. Just go in prepared.
What Actually Closes (and for How Long)
Banks and currency exchange booths: closed all nine days. ATMs still run but can run out of cash — stock up before the 14th.
Government offices, visa centers, and immigration services: fully closed. If your visa is expiring mid-February, sort it in January. No exceptions.
Local restaurants and cafes: most close February 15–21. The ones that stay open cut their menus to three or four dishes and run out of everything by noon. Vietnamese staff return to their home provinces — this is the whole point of the holiday for them.
Traditional markets: closed. Street food stalls: mostly closed. Small shops: mostly closed.
What stays open: Circle K, Family Mart, GS25 (all 24/7). Large shopping malls. Major tourist sites, cable cars, and organized tours. Hospitals operate fully for emergencies. Hotels are open but staffed at reduced levels.
The first three days — February 17, 18, and 19 — are the quietest. By the 20th, things slowly start reopening. By the 22nd, most of the city is back.
How to Eat: The Practical Survival Guide
I keep a Tet food kit in the apartment now. Basic ingredients last the full nine days without a trip anywhere: rice, instant noodles, eggs, canned fish, cooking oil. Add fresh fruit — coconuts, mangoes, and jackfruit are everywhere during Tet because Vietnamese families put them on home altars.
The convenience store circuit works for anything else. Circle K carries a full range of sandwiches, hot dogs, pre-made rice bowls, and packaged snacks. Not ideal as a nine-day diet, but functional.
One thing that often surprises new expats: Chinese and Korean restaurants in the expat districts tend to stay open through Tet. Their owners don’t celebrate Vietnamese New Year. Worth mapping out your nearest one in advance.
For a longer look at living in different Vietnamese cities , the food access during holidays varies significantly — Da Nang has a much denser convenience store coverage than Hoi An.
Cash, Visas, and Bureaucracy Before Tet
Withdraw cash before February 14. This is non-negotiable. Banks close for all nine days. ATMs in popular areas run dry within the first 48 hours. Aim for 4–5 million VND minimum as a buffer.
If you need a visa extension, e-visa renewal, or any immigration paperwork — do it by February 10 at the latest. Visa centers close with everything else. The complete guide to moving to Vietnam in 2026 covers the timing of visa renewals in detail, including which types can be done online.
If you’re planning a trip within Vietnam during Tet and need recommendations on what’s actually running — message me on Telegram @vietnam_samurai , I track what’s open in each city during the holiday period.
For official dates and the government holiday decree, the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour posts updates at molisa.gov.vn each December.
Where to Celebrate Tet If You’re Staying
Hoi An is the answer I give most often. The Thu Bon River lantern festival on Tet eve is something I still don’t have good words for — hundreds of glowing boats, the old town lit up, people in traditional áo dài on every bridge. Book accommodation in Hoi An two months in advance. At one month out, prices double and options narrow.
Hanoi for Tet is a different kind of experience. Traditional temples, folk games, the official ceremony at Ba Dinh Square. The city feels old in the best way. The Hoàn Kiếm Lake area is worth walking at midnight on the new year.
Ho Chi Minh City does scale. The fireworks over the Saigon River from the Bitexco building area are a real spectacle. The Nguyen Hue Flower Street market runs for days before Tet and is worth seeing while it’s still full.
Da Nang is a solid base if you’re already based there — the Han River fireworks are good and crowds are manageable compared to Hoi An. But if you’re choosing between cities specifically for Tet, Hoi An wins.
Find current tours and Tet-period programs at vietnam-tour-guide.ru , or message @vietnam_samurai on Instagram to see what’s running this season.