Tet 2027 in Vietnam: What Is Open and Closed (5 to 8 February)

Key takeaways

• The first day of Tet 2027 is Saturday 6 February
• New Year’s Eve is the evening of Friday 5 February
• On 6 February almost everything is closed except hotels
• On 7 and 8 February many places open again
• Bai Dinh and Trang An are open, but very busy
• Travel is possible, but book early

Tet is the Vietnamese lunar new year and the biggest holiday of the year. It changes daily life for about a week. This guide tells you what is open and closed during Tet 2027, day by day, and what it means for a trip to Ninh Binh.

What is Tet?

Tet marks the start of the new lunar year. Families travel to their home towns, clean and decorate their houses, visit the graves of their ancestors and spend the first days together. Many businesses close, and cities become quiet. For travellers it is a special time to see Vietnamese traditions, but you need to plan well.

Tet 2027: the key dates

• Friday 5 February 2027: New Year’s Eve. Shops close in the afternoon, fireworks at midnight in the big cities.
• Saturday 6 February 2027: first day of Tet. Almost everything is closed.
• Sunday 7 February 2027: second day. Some restaurants, cafes and sights open again.
• Monday 8 February 2027: third day. Much more is open, but many small family shops stay closed a few more days.

The official public holiday is usually a few days longer than these three days. The government announces the exact holiday days some months in advance. Banks and offices follow those dates.

6 February 2027: the quietest day

On the first day of Tet, families stay at home. Expect a near total shutdown.

• Closed: most restaurants, local shops, markets and many cafes
• Open: hotels, homestays and often the hotel restaurant for guests
• Transport: few buses and taxis, and long-distance travel is difficult

Tip: stay in a good hotel on this day and ask in advance where you can eat.

7 and 8 February 2027: life comes back

From the second day, more and more places open. Sights are open and very lively, because Vietnamese families go out to visit pagodas and famous places. By the third day most things a traveller needs are open again. Some small family businesses take a full week off.

Ninh Binh during Tet

Tet is a busy time in Ninh Binh. The first weeks of the new year are the season of pilgrimages and festivals, and many Vietnamese families visit the pagodas.

• Pagoda Bai Dinh: the biggest pagoda complex of the region. The Bai Dinh festival starts soon after Tet and brings very large crowds. Go early in the morning.
• Trang An: the boats run, but expect long queues around midday.
• Tam Coc and the villages: quieter, with red flags, flowers and a festive mood in the streets.
• El tiempo: February is cool, often misty, with some drizzle.

Our tours and transfers run during Tet. Book early, because many Vietnamese families travel in this period. A private day tour with your own driver lets you start early and avoid the busiest hours.

Should you travel during Tet 2027?

Good reasons to go: you see real Vietnamese traditions, the streets are decorated, and the mood is festive.

Things to keep in mind: very little is open on 6 February, hotels often cost more, and buses, trains and flights fill up early.

Practical tips for Tet 2027

• Book hotels, trains and flights early
• Ask your hotel about meals on 5 and 6 February
• Do not plan a long drive or a big sightseeing day on 6 February
• Visit popular sights early in the morning from 7 February
• Take enough cash before Tet, because some ATMs run empty
• Small gifts and the words “Chuc mung nam moi” (Happy New Year) are always welcome

More about the month itself: Ninh Binh in February.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

When is Tet 2027?

The first day of Tet 2027 is Saturday 6 February 2027. New Year’s Eve is the evening of Friday 5 February. The official public holiday is a few days longer; the government announces the exact days in advance.

Is everything closed during Tet?

On the first day of Tet (6 February 2027) almost everything is closed except hotels. On the second and third day many places reopen. Some small family shops stay closed for about a week.

Are restaurants open during Tet 2027?

Most local restaurants are closed on 6 February. Hotel restaurants are often open for guests. From 7 and 8 February more restaurants open again.

Can I visit Ninh Binh during Tet?

Yes. Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An are open, but they are very busy with Vietnamese families in the first weeks of the new year. Go early in the morning.

Do your tours run during Tet?

Yes, our tours and transfers run during Tet. Book early, because many Vietnamese families travel in this period.