Vietnam’s festivals and holidays are vibrant events that highlight the country’s rich heritage. They feature traditional music, dance performances, and lively activities like dragon boat races and street parades.
By participating in these festivals, you can learn and discover the legends that have shaped Vietnam’s culture. If you're planning a trip, here are the top 10 traditional festivals in Vietnam you should include in your itinerary.
1. Lunar New Year (Tet Festival)
Date: 1st day of the 1st lunar month (late January or early February)
Location: Nationwide
Tet, also known as the Lunar New Year, is the biggest and most important festival in Vietnam. It takes place on the first day of the first lunar month, usually falling between late January and early February.
It’s a time for family reunions, house cleaning, ancestor worship, and celebrating the new year. People wish each other good luck, give red envelopes to children and elders, and enjoy traditional foods like banh chung, banh tet, and candied fruits.
Read more: Travel To Vietnam During Tet Holiday
2. Lim Festival
Date: 12th or 13th day of the 1st lunar month
Location: Tien Du, Bac Ninh Province
Lim Festival happens on the 12th or 13th day of the first lunar month in Bac Ninh Province, the homeland of Quan Ho singing. It’s a festival that showcases the folk culture of the Kinh Bac region, with Quan Ho singing being the main attraction.
You can listen to traditional Quan Ho songs performed on boats and join in folk games like swinging, wrestling, and human chess.
Lim Festival
3. Hung King Temple Festival
Date: 8th to 11th day of the 3rd lunar month
Location: Hung Temple, Phu Tho Province
The Hung King Temple Festival is one of the largest and most sacred Vietnam festivals. It takes place from the 8th to the 11th day of the third lunar month in Phú Thọ Province. The festival honors the Hung King, the founders of Vietnam.
People from all over the country come to Hung Temple to offer incense, present offerings, and pray for a peaceful and prosperous year. There are also cultural activities, sports competitions, and traditional games during the festival, making it a key event among the traditional festivals in Vietnam.
Hung King Temple Festival
4. Xen Xo Phon Festival
Date: 4th lunar month
Location: Son La Province
Xến Xó Phốn Festival is a traditional event of the White Thai ethnic group in Son La Province, taking place in the 4th lunar month. It is held to pray for a good harvest and favorable weather.
During the festival, people perform traditional Xoe dancing, play folk games, and enjoy hearty meals with traditional Thai dishes. This festival is among the most unique traditional festivals in Vietnam.
Read more: Perfume Pagoda Festival
5. Ghost Festival (Wandering Souls Day)
Date: 15th day of the 7th lunar month
Location: Nationwide, with emphasis on pagodas and temples
The Ghost Festival, also called the Hungry Ghost Festival or Vu Lan, happens on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
It is a time to honor and pray for lost souls and ancestors. People visit pagodas, hold offerings at home, and share food with the poor, as a sign of compassion and respect for the spirits. It is one of the solemn traditional festivals in Vietnam.
Ghost Festival
6. Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)
Date: 15th day of the 8th lunar month
Location: Nationwide
The Mid Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Children’s Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and one of the famous festivals in Vietnam. It is a festival for children, who receive lanterns, watch lion dances, and parade under the full moon.
The offerings usually include mooncakes, fruit platters, and various sweets. Families come together to tell folk tales and admire the bright full moon.
Mid-Autumn Festival
7. Hue Festival & Hue Craft Village Festival
Date: Late April to early May
Location: Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province
Hue Festival is a famous cultural event in the ancient city of Hue, usually taking place from late April to early May. It showcases the rich culture and arts of Hue through performances, exhibitions, fairs, and parades.
Artisans from traditional craft villages participate in the festival, displaying crafts like conical hats, pottery, and embroidery.
Hue Festival
8. Independence Day of Vietnam
Date: September 2
Location: Major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and nationwide
Vietnam’s Independence Day is on September 2 every year, marking the day President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945.
On this day, big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City host celebrations with parades, fireworks, and cultural performances. It’s a day of pride and gratitude for those who sacrificed for the country’s freedom.
Vietnam’s Independence Day
9. Oóc Om Bóc Festival
Date: Night of the 14th day of the 10th lunar month
Location: Soc Trang Province and other Khmer communities in the Mekong Delta
Oóc Om Bóc is a traditional festival of the Khmer people in the Mekong Delta, taking place on the night of the 14th day of the 10th lunar month. The festival is held to thank the Moon God for good harvests and prosperity.
Activities include lantern floating on the rivers, Ghe Ngo boat racing, and various entertainment events, making it one of the lively popular festivals in Vietnam.
Read more: Ox Racing - A Must-see Festival For You in An Giang
Oóc Om Bóc
10. New Year's Eve
Date: The night before Lunar New Year
Location: Nationwide, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
New Year's Eve, or Giao Thua, is the most important night of the year, marking the end of the old year and the start of the Lunar New Year. It is a time when people pray for peace, perform ancestral rituals, and celebrate with fireworks. Families gather to share wishes for a happy and lucky new year.
New Year's Eve
Vietnam hosts a wide range of fascinating festivals throughout the year and the ones mentioned above are just a few of them. If your visit happens to align with any of these festivals, we highly recommend joining in to experience the local customs and traditions.
If you want to attend these festivals, consider renting a car in Vietnam at Vietnam Budget Car Rental to ensure a convenient and enjoyable trip. By opting for a private car, you'll have the flexibility to explore at your own pace, visit many locations, and make the most of your festival experience without worrying about transportation.
You’re traveling solo, with family, or in a group, Vietnam Budget Car Rental also offers a range of vehicle options to suit your needs, ensuring comfort and safety throughout your journey.
