Explore Hanoi during Tet holiday

While we're soaking up the Tết vibes, it's time for you to uncover the charm of Hanoi! 🏛️✨

Take a look at the opening hours and holiday schedules of the must-visit attractions below - Hanoi awaits your discovery! 😎🌟

✨𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬: Many attractions in Hanoi offer discounts of up to 50% and free entry for students, children under 16, and kids! Just remember to bring your student ID or proof of age to enjoy the savings. 🎉👩‍🎓👶

What Hanoi Feels Like During Tết

Tết is not simply a long weekend in Vietnam. It is the country's biggest family holiday, and the rhythm of Hanoi changes around it. In the days before Tết, markets and shopping streets are busy with flowers, fruit, food and gifts. Around the first days of the new year, some streets become much quieter as families gather at home, then the city gradually fills again with people visiting temples, lakes, cafés and relatives.

Will Everything Be Closed?

No, but you should not expect normal operating hours. Family-run restaurants and small shops may close for several days, while some cafés, convenience stores, hotels and larger businesses continue operating. Tourist attractions can use special holiday schedules. The safest approach is to check the places that matter most to you shortly before visiting and keep a few flexible alternatives.

Curious what Vietnamese people do during Tet holiday beyond the city? Here's the full picture.

Food During Tết

The Old Quarter does not stop eating, but your usual saved list may not work exactly as planned. Some famous stalls close because the whole family is on holiday; others reopen on different days. This is a good time to be flexible rather than chasing one specific restaurant. You may also see more Tết foods, sweets, candied fruits and family-style dishes than on an ordinary week.

Temples and Pagodas Get Busier

Many Vietnamese families visit temples and pagodas around the new year to pray for health, luck and peace. If you visit too, dress respectfully, keep your voice low and remember that the space is being used for worship, not only sightseeing. Crowds can be much heavier than usual, especially at well-known sites.

Getting Around

Roads can feel unusually empty at some times and suddenly busy at others. Ride-hailing and taxi availability may be different from a normal week, and prices or waiting times can change during peak holiday periods. Leave more time for airport transfers and important journeys instead of planning them too tightly.

Tết with Children

For families, Tết can be a lovely time to see flower displays, festive decorations and people dressed for new-year visits. Keep the schedule light, because opening hours are less predictable and popular public areas can become crowded. A slow morning walk followed by one planned activity usually works better than a long list of stops.

The Best Way to Plan Hanoi at Tết

Choose one or two must-do places and verify those first. Treat everything else as flexible. Tết is one of the most interesting times to see how Hanoi changes, but it rewards travelers who accept that the city is following a family holiday rhythm rather than a normal tourism schedule.

Ngoc Anh (Ice)

Beyond Vietnam