Looking for a fun way to explore Vietnamese culture? If you love festivals, food, and tradition, Vietnam’s holidays are the perfect choice. You might not know where to start, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- The Hung Kings’ Temple Festival
- Lunar New Year (Tết) celebrations
- The Mid-Autumn Festival and more!
Keep reading to find out about these fun events. Imagine joining parades, eating tasty food, and making great memories. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to enjoy Vietnam’s best holidays.
Let’s go!
- 1. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Hung Kings' Temple Festival
- 2. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Reunification Day (Ngày Thống Nhất)
- 3. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán)
- 4. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh)
- 5. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)
- Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: A Recap
- FAQ
1. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Hung Kings’ Temple Festival
Time & Location: The Hung Kings’ Temple Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương) is one of the key Traditional Holidays in Vietnam. It takes place every year from the 1st to the 10th day of the third lunar month. The most important day is the 10th. This day has been a public holiday in Vietnam since 2007.
Event Details: The festival honors the Hùng Kings, who are the founders of Vietnam. They are believed to have ruled the first Vietnamese nation, Văn Lang. The festival started as a local event but is now celebrated all over Vietnam with millions of people attending.
The main event is a procession. It begins at the bottom of a mountain and ends at the High Temple. Pilgrims stop at smaller temples along the way to offer prayers and incense.
The Hùng Kings’ Temple in Phú Thọ Province is the center of the festival. People from all over Vietnam come to take part and celebrate their history.
2. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Reunification Day (Ngày Thống Nhất)
Time & Location: Reunification Day, one of the significant Traditional Holidays in Vietnam, is on April 30 every year. It is a public holiday in Vietnam.
Event Details: Reunification Day marks the day when North Vietnamese forces took control of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) on April 30, 1975. This ended the Vietnam War. The country became one again after South and North Vietnam merged on July 2, 1976.
For some Vietnamese people living abroad, this day is called the Fall of Saigon or Black April. It is a day to remember the struggles they went through during the war.
In Vietnam, Reunification Day is a time to reflect on the end of the war and celebrate the country coming together again.
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3. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán)
Time & Location: Lunar New Year, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is one of the most important Traditional Holidays in Vietnam. It happens on the first day of the lunar calendar and usually takes place in late January or early February.
Event Details: Lunar New Year is a major holiday in Vietnam and other parts of Asia. It marks the start of the new year on the lunar calendar. In Vietnam, it’s called Tết. The holiday celebrates the arrival of spring and the beginning of the rice planting season.
Tết has been celebrated for many years. In the past, people would paint tattoos, drink rice liquor, eat betel nuts, and make special foods like bánh chưng.
Today, Tết is still a time for family to come together. People make traditional food, give “lucky money” to children, and honor their ancestors. It is a joyful time to celebrate the new year and hope for good luck.
4. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh)
Time & Location: Vietnam’s National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh), one of the key Traditional Holidays in Vietnam, is celebrated every year on 2 September.
Event Details: National Day is a big holiday in Vietnam. It remembers the day when President Hồ Chí Minh said Vietnam was free from French and Japanese rule.
This happened on 2 September 1945 at Ba Đình Square in Hanoi. That day, he read the Declaration of Independence and said the country would now be called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
This date is also important because it’s the same day Japan signed papers to end World War II.
People across Vietnam celebrate National Day with flags, music, and public events. Big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City may have parades and fireworks. Government offices, schools, and most businesses close for the day. Since 2019, the holiday has sometimes been extended to two days.
It’s a day to remember the past and show love for the country.
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5. Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)
Time & Location: The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon Festival or Lantern Festival, is one of the beloved Traditional Holidays in Vietnam.
It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, usually falling in September or October. Many believe the festival started in China, but today it is a popular celebration for children in Vietnam.
Event Details: On this day, families gather to honor their ancestors. In the evening, they enjoy watching the full moon together. People eat mooncakes and drink tea or wine. Mooncakes are round, sweet pastries. They often have red beans, lotus seeds, or egg yolk fillings.
Lanterns are also an important part of the festival. They come in many shapes like stars, animals, or fish. Children carry them in the streets or hang them at home. The light from the lanterns is meant to bring hope and good fortune.
Children wear colorful masks and play games. There are also handmade toys made from papier-mâché, such as lions, dragons, butterflies, and more.
In the past, girls used fruit and dough to make beautiful shapes, such as flowers or sea creatures. The festive tray often includes grapefruit, sugarcane, candy, and mooncakes. People also give mooncakes and gifts to family members, teachers, and friends.
During the festival, people enjoy lion and unicorn dances. These dances are full of energy and sound. They are believed to bring luck and joy. Long ago, Vietnamese people also sang Trong Quan songs, using special drums to keep rhythm.
Traditional Holidays in Vietnam: A Recap
Traditional holidays in Vietnam are a fun way to experience the culture. These holidays bring families together with special foods, music, and activities. Each holiday has unique traditions that reflect what is important to the Vietnamese people.
From Tết (Lunar New Year) to the Mid-Autumn Festival, each holiday is special. It’s not only about the events but also about spending time with family and respecting old customs. Traditional holidays in Vietnam offer a chance to enjoy the culture and make lasting memories with loved ones.