Is Tet holiday a good time to visit Saigon?

Published May 4, 2026 · 5 min read

Quick Answer

Tet in Saigon is unlike any other time — streets go quiet, most local spots close for 3–7 days, but flower markets and temple atmosphere are genuinely special. The first 2–3 days are hardest for food and activities; by day 4–5 the city reopens. Book accommodation 4 weeks ahead — some guesthouses close entirely.

VERIFIED · MAY 2026 Read below ↓

Tet Nguyên Đán — the Vietnamese Lunar New Year — transforms Saigon in ways that no other holiday does. The city that never seems to slow down genuinely stops. For travelers, this is either one of the most interesting times to visit or the most frustrating, depending on what they came for.

What Tet looks like in Saigon

The transformation happens gradually over about two weeks before Tet day.

Two weeks before: Flower markets appear along major boulevards. The largest, on Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, runs day and night and draws both locals shopping for kumquat trees and visitors who’ve never seen 10,000 chrysanthemum pots assembled in one place. This is one of Saigon’s most photogenic moments.

Week before: Hội Hoa Xuân festival at Tao Dan Park. City fills with decorations. Local restaurants get busier as families start pre-Tet dinners.

2 days before (giao thừa): The city empties. Most working-class residents have returned to their home provinces. Streets become unusually quiet. Many businesses close.

Tet day 1–2: The quietest Saigon you will ever see. Streets are nearly empty in the morning. Temples like Bà Thiên Hậu and Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda fill with families making offerings. Fireworks at midnight transition into a peaceful first dawn.

Day 3–5: The city starts waking up. Street food stalls owned by Saigon-based families reopen first. Tourist-area restaurants follow. By day 5, the city is close to normal.

Practical impact on a visit

Food: The hardest adjustment. Street food stalls run by migrant workers close for Tet (the workers have gone home). Restaurants owned by local families may stay open but with reduced menus. Tourist restaurants often close the first 2–3 days entirely. Hotels with in-house restaurants remain open. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Circle K) are your fallback.

Accommodation: Book 4–6 weeks ahead. Many small guesthouses close entirely during Tet — the owners go home. Those that stay open may run on reduced staff. Larger hotels are more reliable.

Transport: Grab operates throughout Tet but with fewer drivers (many have left the city). Wait times increase. Buses run reduced schedules.

Prices: Mid-Tet accommodation is often cheaper than peak holiday periods — the guesthouses that stay open want guests. The week before Tet, prices spike.

Recommended timing

If you want to see Tet: plan to be in Saigon from 3–4 days before through Tet day 3 or 4. The flower markets, the pre-Tet energy, and the unique quiet of early Tet all have their own appeal.

If you want full access to Saigon’s food and street life: avoid Tet days 1–3. Arrive from Tet day 5 onward.

For when Saigon is at its best overall, see when is the best time to visit Saigon? For booking hotels in advance of Tet, see how far ahead should I book accommodation in Saigon?.

Also asked

Related questions, answered.

When exactly is Tet in 2026 and 2027?

Tet falls on the first day of the lunar new year. 2026: January 29. 2027: February 17. The official public holiday is 5 days, but many businesses close for 7–10 days. The city begins quieting 2–3 days before Tet day and is at its quietest on the first 2 days of Tet. By day 4–5, restaurants and shops in tourist areas start reopening.

What is open in Saigon during Tet?

Open: Major hotels and hotel restaurants, 7-Eleven / Circle K convenience stores (some), tourist attractions including the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace (confirm on the specific dates), Vincom Center mall (limited hours, some food court vendors), and some restaurants specifically targeting tourists and expats. Closed or limited hours: most local restaurants, all traditional markets including Bến Thành, most local shops and services, many guesthouses.

Is Tet worth experiencing as a tourist, or should I avoid it?

Both are valid choices. The case for Tet: you see a genuinely different Saigon — the flower markets in the week before are spectacular, the first nights of Tet have fireworks and temple crowds, and the empty streets of early Tet morning are a rare sight. The case against: if you're primarily there for food and street life, the first days of Tet are quiet in ways that reduce the city's primary appeal. A 7-day visit straddling Tet works well; planning your Saigon food exploration for Tet day 1 does not.