Hoi An Tet guide 2025: Festivals, foods & Best things to do
Hoi An during Tet is one of the most enchanting times to visit Vietnam. The ancient town transforms into a vibrant mix of lantern lights, spring flowers, traditional music, and festive energy that fills every street. Whether you’re curious about local customs, excited to join Tet celebrations, or simply want to enjoy the beauty of Lantern Town at its brightest, Hoi An Tet offers a cultural experience that is warm, lively, and truly unforgettable. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your Lunar New Year trip.
Why visit Hoi An during Tet?
Tet, or the Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar, a time when families clean and decorate their homes, prepare traditional dishes, honor ancestors, give lucky money, and reunite with loved ones. The atmosphere is warm, festive, and filled with traditions that have been passed down for generations.
When Tet arrives in Hoi An, the ancient town transforms into an even more magical place. The historical streets, already charming throughout the year, become brighter and more colorful with lanterns, flowers, and festive decorations. Cultural activities take place throughout the town, creating a unique blend of heritage, celebration, and community spirit that visitors rarely experience elsewhere.
Hoi An during Tet is especially appealing because the town remains festive yet welcoming to visitors. Lanterns light up every corner, families decorate their storefronts and homes, and many restaurants, tailor shops, cafés, and boutiques stay open, something that doesn’t happen in many other Vietnamese cities during the holiday. This balance allows travelers to immerse themselves in authentic Tet traditions while still enjoying convenient services.
Along the Hoai River, travelers can enjoy lively Tet activities such as lantern floating ceremonies, lion dances, folk performances, and traditional games. These events give visitors a vivid glimpse into Vietnamese culture, making Tet in Hoi An not just a holiday period but a deep cultural experience.
Best things to do in Hoi An during Tet
Tet brings a vibrant and festive energy to Hoi An, turning the ancient town into an even more magical place. The streets glow with lanterns, flowers, and traditional decorations, while cultural performances and local customs fill the air with excitement. For travelers, Tet is a rare chance to experience Vietnam’s most important holiday in a setting that blends heritage, celebration, and community spirit. If you are visiting Hoi An during Lunar New Year, here are the best activities you shouldn’t miss.
Stroll through the ancient town and enjoy the lantern atmosphere
Hoi An is beautiful year-round, but during Tet, the ancient town becomes even more dazzling. Lanterns fill the streets of Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tran Phu, and Bach Dang, creating a charming and colorful scene. In the daytime, homes and shops are decorated with yellow chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, and other spring flowers. When night falls, the entire town glows under lantern light, offering a magical backdrop for photos and leisurely walks.
Strolling through the lantern-lit streets during the first days of the new year brings a feeling of peace, warmth, and slow-living charm. You can stop by cafés, browse open shops, or simply enjoy the festive ambiance around every corner.
Join the lantern-release ceremony on the Hoai river
Releasing lanterns on the Hoai River is one of the most meaningful Tet activities in Hoi An. Locals and visitors float small candle-lit lanterns on the water as a symbolic wish for peace, good fortune, and happiness in the new year. The river becomes a shimmering display of light, reflection, and tradition.
You can release a lantern from the riverbank or take a boat ride to experience the ceremony in a more peaceful, intimate way. Many travelers consider this moment one of the most memorable parts of spending Tet in Hoi An.
Watch lion dances, cultural performances, and folk games
Tet celebrations in Hoi An wouldn’t be complete without lion dances, traditional music, and folk performances. These shows are often held around the Japanese Bridge, along the Hoai River, and in the main walking streets.
Visitors can watch lion dance teams perform for good luck or participate in Bai Choi, a UNESCO-recognized folk singing game unique to Central Vietnam. This is an excellent way to connect with local culture and experience Tet the way Vietnamese families celebrate it.
Visit Hoi An market to discover Tet foods and local specialties
Hoi An Market becomes particularly lively during Tet, filled with the colors and scents of holiday specialties. You’ll see stalls selling bánh tổ (a local sticky cake), ginger candy, preserved fruits, nem, tré, pickles, and fresh seasonal produce.
The market is a wonderful place to observe local traditions up close. You can try Tet dishes on the spot or buy handmade treats as gifts. The energy, warmth, and friendliness of the vendors make the experience feel authentic and welcoming.
Try tailor-made clothing
Hoi An is famous for its tailor shops, and Tet is the perfect time to get a new outfit made. In Vietnamese culture, wearing new clothes during the new year symbolizes a fresh start and good luck. Many tailor shops remain open during the holiday and can complete custom orders within a day.
Whether it’s an áo dài, a casual outfit, or a custom dress or suit, having something tailored in Hoi An during Tet is both a cultural experience and a meaningful keepsake.
Join lantern-making or Tet cooking workshops
For a hands-on activity, consider joining a lantern-making workshop or a Tet cooking class. These workshops are often run by local families or craft centers and welcome both adults and children.
Making your own lantern helps you appreciate one of Hoi An’s most iconic symbols, while cooking classes introduce you to the flavors of Tet, learning how to wrap bánh chưng or prepare traditional holiday dishes. Both experiences allow you to explore Vietnamese culture from the inside out.
Visit traditional craft villages around Hoi An
Nearby craft villages such as Tra Que Vegetable Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and Kim Bong Carpentry Village continue to welcome visitors during Tet. These destinations offer a quieter, more authentic atmosphere compared to the busy ancient town.
You can plant vegetables, try pottery, carve wood, or enjoy local foods while learning about rural life during the holiday. This is a perfect option for travelers who want a deeper, everyday view of Tet in the countryside.
Take a boat ride, cycle, or join countryside tours
The first days of the new year are an ideal time to explore the peaceful side of Hoi An. You can cycle through rice fields, enjoy a boat trip on the Thu Bon River, or join countryside tours that showcase farming life and local traditions.
Outside the ancient town, the Tet atmosphere is calm and refreshing, perfect for travelers seeking relaxation after the festive crowds.
Traditional Tet foods to try in Hoi An
Tet cuisine in Hoi An carries the distinctive flavors of Central Vietnam while still showcasing the town’s own cultural touches. These traditional dishes are not only delicious but also rich in symbolism, representing luck, prosperity, and togetherness. If you’re spending Lunar New Year in Hoi An, here are the must-try Tet foods you shouldn’t miss.
Banh Chung & Banh Tet
These two iconic sticky rice cakes are essential in every Vietnamese New Year celebration.
- Banh chung is square-shaped, made from sticky rice, mung beans, and pork, symbolizing the earth.
- Banh tet, more common in Central and Southern Vietnam, is cylindrical and represents unity and completeness.
In Hoi An, many families still gather to wrap and boil these cakes at home, giving visitors a glimpse into the warm, communal spirit of Tet. The cake’s soft, savory filling pairs perfectly with traditional pickled vegetables for a balanced holiday flavor.
Pork pickled in fish sauce, Nem, and Tre
This trio is a beloved collection of Central Vietnamese Tet specialties.
- Pork pickled in fish sauce strikes a tasty balance of salty and sweet and is often enjoyed with rice paper and fresh herbs.
- Nem (fermented pork) and tre offer a slightly tangy, aromatic profile with crunchy textures from banana leaves and spices.
These dishes are commonly served to guests during Tet and are great for anyone looking to sample authentic regional flavors.
Cao Lau and Mi Quang
While not traditional Tet dishes in the ceremonial sense, cao lau and mi Quang are frequently enjoyed by local families during the holiday. After days of eating sticky rice cakes and rich dishes, people often crave a warm, flavorful bowl of noodles to refresh the palate. For visitors, enjoying cao lau on a cool Tet morning is a comforting way to experience Hoi An’s most iconic flavors.
Banh To
Banh to is a signature Tet treat in Hoi An. Made from sticky rice flour and molasses, the cake has a lightly sweet flavor and a chewy texture. It can be enjoyed as-is or lightly pan-fried to create a crispy outside with a soft, gooey inside. This cake is a popular festive gift thanks to its long shelf life and nostalgic taste of traditional Hoi An.
Candied ginger, candied winter melon & the five-fruit tray
Sweet treats are an essential part of Tet hospitality.
- Candied ginger provides warmth and aids digestion during the cool season.
- Candied winter melon offers a gentle sweetness that appeals to all ages.
- The Five-Fruit Tray (Mam Ngu Qua) symbolizes wishes for abundance, peace, and good fortune.
At Hoi An Market, you’ll find many types of handmade candied fruits prepared by local families especially for Tet.
Read more: Food in Hoi An: A Journey through tradition and flavor
Tet events & Festivals in Hoi An
During Tet, Hoi An becomes even more vibrant and culturally rich than usual. The ancient town hosts a variety of traditional ceremonies, community activities, and festive decorations that highlight the spirit of Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. These events offer travelers a unique opportunity to experience Tet in a setting that blends heritage, beauty, and celebration. Here are the main events and festivals you can enjoy during the holiday.
Lantern decorations and spring flowers throughout the ancient town
From one to two weeks before Tet, Hoi An begins decorating its streets with colorful lanterns and spring flowers. Chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, yellow mai flowers, and other festive plants fill doorways and public spaces. This bright, cheerful atmosphere lasts throughout the holiday, giving visitors the feeling of spring everywhere they go.
Lantern Festival – Most spectacular on the first full moon of the year
Hoi An’s Lantern Festival becomes especially stunning during Tet, with its peak on the First Full Moon of the Lunar Year (Tet Nguyen Tieu). On this night, most electric lights in the ancient town are dimmed, allowing thousands of lanterns to illuminate the streets. Visitors can stroll through the soft, glowing light or join the riverside festivities for unforgettable photos and experiences.
Lantern-release ceremony on the Hoai river
This ceremony takes place every evening during the Tet holiday, but the most vibrant moments are on New Year’s Eve and the first few days of the new year. Releasing a small candle-lit lantern onto the Hoai River is believed to bring peace, luck, and good fortune. Travelers can release lanterns from the riverbank or take a boat ride for a more tranquil and immersive experience.
Lion dance parades for New Year blessings
Lion dance teams parade through the ancient town to bring good luck to families and businesses. The rhythmic drumbeats and lively performances create an exciting festive atmosphere, attracting both locals and visitors. Watching the lion dance is one of the clearest signs that Tet has truly arrived in Hoi An.
Bai Choi Performances – A UNESCO-recognized folk art
Bai Choi, a unique blend of traditional singing, storytelling, and card-based games, is performed frequently during Tet. Stages are set up near the Japanese Bridge and along the Hoai River, inviting visitors to join in the fun. Participating in Bai Choi is a great way to experience the cultural identity of Central Vietnam.
Read more: Hoi An Festival – The cultural heart of a heritage land
Where to stay in Hoi An during Tet
Hoi An offers a wide range of accommodation options during Tet, suitable for every travel style. If convenience and easy access to the ancient town are your priorities, staying near the Old Town is ideal. This area is filled with homestays, boutique hotels, and guesthouses that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the festive Tet atmosphere, lanterns, markets, cultural shows, and bustling walking streets are just steps away.
For those seeking peace and a slower pace, the beachside areas around Cua Dai, An Bang, and other coastal neighborhoods provide a quieter retreat. Resorts in these areas typically offer spacious grounds, ocean views, and high-quality amenities, making them perfect for relaxing between Tet festivities. Since Tet is a peak travel period, most hotels and resorts decorate beautifully, host special New Year activities, and operate at full service to welcome guests.
For travelers seeking a peaceful yet luxurious place to welcome the Lunar New Year, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is an exceptional option. Located directly on Binh Minh Beach, one of the most beautiful and quiet beaches near Hoi An, the resort offers serene ocean views, open landscapes, and a refreshing atmosphere. It’s the perfect setting for starting the year with clarity, comfort, and calm.
Bliss Hoi An is especially convenient for guests who want to enjoy both relaxation and cultural exploration. The resort provides a daily shuttle bus to Hoi An Ancient Town, making it easy to join lantern festivals, visit markets, stroll along the decorated streets, or enjoy Tet dishes without worrying about transportation. For more flexible travel plans, the resort also offers a reliable transportation service, allowing you to return later in the evening or visit other attractions at your own pace.
Beyond convenience, Bliss Hoi An features a full range of premium facilities to make your Tet stay unforgettable: an oceanfront swimming pool, a professional wellness spa, a fully equipped gym, a beach bar, and restaurants serving Vietnamese and international cuisine throughout the holiday. During Tet, the resort also hosts festive activities such as lucky money giving, lantern decorations, and New Year welcome programs, bringing warmth and cultural charm to your stay. It’s an excellent choice for couples, families, and anyone looking to celebrate the Lunar New Year in comfort and tranquility.
Tet in Hoi An is more than a holiday, it’s a chance to slow down, immerse yourself in tradition, and feel the warmth of Vietnamese culture in one of the country’s most beautiful towns. From lantern festivals and traditional foods to cultural performances and spiritual ceremonies, every moment captures the spirit of renewal and togetherness. If you’re planning a Lunar New Year journey, Hoi An Tet promises a memorable and meaningful start to the year.
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