Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam: Travel Guide 2025

Rich in traditional customs, Vietnam hosts one of the most intriguing celebrations, Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam, well-known as Tet Doan Ngo.

Rooted in ancient rituals and beliefs, this celebration draws people together to honor traditions, savor great cuisine, and participate in exciting events.

The mystery of Tet Doan Ngo will be discussed in this essay together with the rich customs and thrilling events connected with this particular celebration.

What is Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam?

This festival is celebrated yearly in Vietnam, Tet Doan Ngo also known as the Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam, usually falls in June, it is customarily observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Originating from ancient beliefs concerning the summer solstice and the necessity to fight evil spirits and guarantee good health and fortune, this celebration has great historical and cultural relevance.

Dragon boat festival

Tet Doan Ngo's beginnings can be found in prehistoric China. Legend holds that the celebration honors the death of the poet Qu Yuan, a devoted statesman who sank himself in a river in hopelessness. 

To stop fish from eating his remains, the residents tossed rice dumplings into the sea and raced in boats to recover his body. Different civilizations, including Vietnam, have embraced and modified this celebration over time.

Read more: Hung King Temple Festival

Traditions and things to do in Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam

Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam is deeply rooted in customs handed down over decades. Key customs connected with Tet Doan Ngo include these:

1. Honouring Ancestors

Vietnamese people honor their forebears throughout Tet Doan Ngo. To express respect and ask for blessings from their ancestors, they pay visits to ancestral gravesites, present incense, and offer food and beverages.

Apart from herb pouches, people could also hang red-colored objects like red ropes or red paper cutouts since red is said to ward off evil spirits and provide good fortune.

2. Cleaning house

Before Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam, homes were extensively clean to eliminate clutter and negative energy. This cleansing custom welcomes good fortune and excellent energy into the house.

Cleaning house

3. Traditional herbal bathing

During Tet Doan Ngo some people engage in a custom herbal bathing ceremony. Considered to purify the body and ward against ailments, they wash in water mixed with particular plants.

4. Go to pagodas

Vietnamese people go to pagodas or temples to pray and ask blessings for wealth, good health, and fortune for their family and themselves.

5. Dragon boat racing

One main event of the celebration is dragon boat racing. Teams row in long, thin boats to time drums and yells from onlookers. The races stand for harmony, cooperation, and the driving out of evil spirits.

Dragon boat race crew

6. Eat sticky rice dumplings

It also known as bánh tro or bánh chưng, is a fundamental component of Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam. Made from sticky rice, these dumplings packed with mung bean paste, pork, and other ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves. They then steam-boil or boil. Eating these dumplings is supposed to ward off evil spirits and advance good health.

Top city in Vietnam to see during Dragon Boat Festival Vietnam

During Tet Doan Ngo, some Vietnamese cities present special experiences with their own appeal and celebrations. These are a few cities well-known for their colourful holiday celebrations:

1. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, sometimes known as Saigon, welcomes Tet Doan Ngo with much fervour. Bright decorations, flower markets, and street events bring the city alive. Visiting Tao Dan Park, where residents assemble for dragon boat races and cultural activities, with the tour guide about Ho Chi Minh City allows you The lively scene of Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi comes from their busy streets.

Read more: Rent A Car Ho Chi Minh

2. Hanoi

During Tet Doan Ngo, the capital city shows a vibrant scene. There are lots of pagodas and temples with unique ceremonies; the streets are festively decorated. See dragon boat races on the lakes, savour traditional music and dance performances, and tour the vibrant markets of the Old Quarter in Hanoi.

3. Hue

Celebrated with a little royal splendour, Hue is in Central Vietnam and honours Tet Doan Ngo. Traditional rites and events are hosted in Hue Tourist Attractions including the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda. On the Perfume River, you may see dragon boat races and really engage with the rich cultural legacy of the city.

Read more: Hue Car Rental

4. Hoi An

Hoi An is a lovely historical town well-known for its lantern-filled streets and traditional architecture among amazing sights. Hoi An organises energetic celebrations with lantern festivals, traditional games, and cultural events under Tet Doan Ngo. The colourful night markets and riverfront promenade of the town produce a wonderful atmosphere.

Dragon Boat, Hoi An, Vietnam

5. Can Tho

Found in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho provides a laid-back trip during Tet Doan Ngo. See the busy Cai Rang Floating Market, where residents barter items out of their boats. Take in the great local cuisine, boat racing, and traditional music events.

Read more: Car Rental In CanTho

If you want to join this festival but haven't found a reliable car rental service yet, contact us at Vietnam Budget Car Rental. We provide modern vehicles, professional drivers, and affordable prices to ensure your journey is smooth and enjoyable. Whether you're traveling alone, with family, or with a group, we have the perfect transportation solution for you. 

Book with us today for a great experience and exclusive festival discounts.