Vietnam festivals burst with color, tradition, and heartfelt energy, offering travelers one of the most authentic ways to connect with the soul of this vibrant country. From moonlit lantern processions to ancient royal ceremonies and joyful ethnic gatherings, these events showcase Vietnam’s deep-rooted beliefs, family values, and incredible regional diversity.
Whether you’re planning your first Vietnam tours or returning for more immersion, experiencing a Vietnam festival transforms an ordinary visit into something truly unforgettable. This 2026 guide highlights the most iconic and culturally significant festivals across the North, Central, and South, including exact timing, key locations, and insider tips to help you plan perfectly.
Why Experiencing Vietnam Festivals Should Be on Your Bucket List
Vietnam festivals are far more than dates on a calendar — they are living expressions of history, spirituality, and community. Many trace back hundreds or even thousands of years, blending animism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and indigenous beliefs.
Participating in these events allows visitors to:
- Witness centuries-old rituals still performed with pride
- Taste seasonal specialties prepared only during festivals
- Join locals in games, music, and prayers
- Feel the genuine warmth of Vietnamese hospitality
- Capture photographs of extraordinary cultural moments
With improved tourism infrastructure in 2026, attending festivals in Vietnam has never been easier or more rewarding.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam for Festivals: Seasonal Guide
Vietnam festivals occur year-round, but certain months offer the highest concentration of major events.
- January–February (Lunar New Year season): Tet and early spring festivals dominate
- March–April (spring): Hung Kings, Giong, Lim, Khau Vai Love Market
- April–May: Buddha’s Birthday and regional celebrations
- August–September (autumn): Mid-Autumn Festival lights up the country
- July–October (lunar calendar events): Ghost Festival, Kate Festival
Pro tip: Check the lunar calendar when planning, as most dates shift annually on the Gregorian calendar.
Top 12 Must-Experience Vietnam Festivals in 2026
Here are the biggest, most beautiful, and culturally richest festivals in Vietnam that every traveler should aim to witness.
1. Tet Nguyen Dan – Lunar New Year (The Biggest Festival in Vietnam)
When: Late January to mid-February (1st to 7th day of Lunar New Year)
Where: Nationwide, especially vibrant in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City
Tet is Vietnam’s most important holiday — a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and welcoming good fortune. Streets transform with peach blossoms (North) and yellow apricot flowers (South), kumquat trees, and red envelopes.
Key traditions include:
- Cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck
- Offering food and incense at family altars
- Giving “lì xì” (lucky money) to children and elders
- Visiting pagodas on the first day
- Enjoying banh chung (square sticky rice cake) and mut tet (candied fruits)
In 2026, expect massive flower markets, lion dances, and fireworks in major cities.
2. Hung King Temple Festival – Honoring the Nation’s Founders
When: 8th–11th day of the 3rd lunar month (around April)
Where: Hung Temple complex, Phu Tho province
This national festival commemorates the legendary Hung Kings, considered the founders of the Vietnamese nation. Pilgrims climb Nghia Linh mountain to the Upper Temple in colorful processions.
Highlights include:
- Palanquin processions with traditional costumes
- Folk games: human chess, bamboo swings, rice-cooking contests
- Traditional music and dance performances
A deeply patriotic and spiritual event recognized as part of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage.
3. Giong Festival – Celebrating the Legendary Saint Giong
When: 6th–8th day of the 1st lunar month (late January–early February)
Where: Soc Temple & Phu Dong Temple, Soc Son, Hanoi
Honoring Saint Giong — one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals — this UNESCO-listed festival reenacts the legend of a magical boy who defeated invaders with iron horses and bamboo whips.
Must-see moments:
- Procession of bamboo elephants and iron horses
- Reenactment of the battle
- Traditional quan họ and chèo performances
A perfect blend of myth, patriotism, and joyful folk traditions.
4. Lim Festival – The Soul of Quan Họ Folk Singing
When: 12th–13th day of the 1st lunar month (February)
Where: Lim Hill, Bac Ninh province
This romantic festival celebrates quan họ — UNESCO-recognized love duets sung between groups of men and women in traditional costumes.
What to expect:
- Alternating male and female singing groups
- Ao tứ thân dresses and nón quai thao hats
- Bamboo swing rides and wrestling matches
An enchanting showcase of Northern Vietnam’s lyrical courtship traditions.
5. Perfume Pagoda Festival – Spiritual Journey into the Mountains
When: From the 6th day of Lunar January to March
Where: Perfume Pagoda (Huong Son), Hanoi
Thousands of pilgrims make the scenic boat trip through caves and mountains to pray at Vietnam’s most sacred Buddhist site.
Signature experiences:
- Boat ride through stunning karst landscapes
- Cable car or stone steps to the upper pagodas
- Prayers inside Huong Tich Cave for fertility, wealth, and health
A deeply spiritual pilgrimage combined with breathtaking natural beauty.
6. Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak) – Nationwide Celebration of Enlightenment
When: 15th day of the 4th lunar month (usually May)
Where: Major pagodas nationwide, especially in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City
One of the most important Buddhist festivals, marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing.
Key rituals include:
- Bathing of Buddha statues with perfumed water
- Candlelit processions
- Releasing lanterns and animals
- Offering vegetarian meals at temples
A serene, reflective, and visually stunning event.
7. Mid-Autumn Festival – Vietnam’s Magical Children’s Festival
When: 14th–15th day of the 8th lunar month (September)
Where: Hanoi (Hang Ma Street), Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City
Known as the “Children’s Festival,” this is the most colorful and joyful celebration for families.
Highlights:
- Parades of lion dancers and children carrying lanterns
- Mooncake tasting (especially the salted egg yolk variety)
- Traditional games and folk performances
- Riverside lantern floating in Hoi An
A magical night of lights, music, and family happiness.
8. Kate Festival – Vibrant Cham Cultural Celebration
When: 1st–3rd day of the 7th month in Cham calendar (usually October)
Where: Po Klong Garai, Po Nagar, and Po Rome towers, Ninh Thuan & Binh Thuan
The most important festival of the Cham people, honoring kings and ancestors with music, dance, and rituals.
Unique features:
- Traditional Cham dances and costumes
- Ceremonies inside ancient brick towers
- Water buffalo races and boat races
A fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s minority Cham heritage.
9. Ghost Festival (Vu Lan / Wandering Souls Day)
When: 15th day of the 7th lunar month (August–September)
Where: Nationwide, especially Hue, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese families honor wandering souls and ancestors with offerings to ensure peace for both the living and the dead.
Common sights:
- Burning votive paper money, clothes, and houses
- Floating lanterns on rivers
- Vegetarian feasts at pagodas
- Charity for the less fortunate
A poignant blend of spirituality and compassion.
10. Khau Vai Love Market Festival – Romantic Ethnic Tradition
When: 26th–27th day of the 3rd lunar month (April–May)
Where: Khau Vai, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang
This unique ethnic festival allows former lovers to meet once a year without jealousy from current partners, while singles seek romance.
Atmosphere includes:
- Colorful traditional costumes of Hmong, Tay, and Dao people
- Singing, dancing, and games
- Stunning mountain scenery
A rare and heartfelt window into Northern ethnic minority culture.
11. Ok Om Bok Festival – Khmer Moon Festival
When: 14th–15th day of the 10th Khmer lunar month (usually November)
Where: Soc Trang and Tra Vinh provinces
The Khmer community celebrates the end of the rainy season with boat races and moon worship.
Signature events:
- Traditional long-boat racing
- Offering sticky rice to the moon
- Traditional Khmer music and dance
A lively celebration of Southern Vietnam’s Khmer heritage.
12. Whale Worship Festival – Unique Coastal Tradition
When: Varies by region (often February–March)
Where: Coastal fishing villages in Central and Southern Vietnam
Fishermen honor the whale — believed to be the reincarnation of a deity that protects seafarers.
Rituals include:
- Processions carrying whale bones
- Traditional music and offerings
- Community feasts
A fascinating maritime tradition found nowhere else in Vietnam.
Planning Tips for Attending Festivals in Vietnam 2026
To make the most of Vietnam festivals:
- Book accommodation early — hotels fill quickly during Tet and Mid-Autumn
- Respect sacred spaces: dress modestly, remove shoes when required
- Arrive early for processions and major ceremonies
- Try local seasonal foods — each festival has signature dishes
- Use Grab or local tours for transportation during crowded events
- Check lunar dates using reliable 2026 calendars
Vietnam festivals offer far more than spectacle — they provide windows into the heart of Vietnamese identity, family, faith, and joy. In 2026, plan your journey around one or more of these incredible events and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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