Planning a trip to Vietnam at the start of the year? There is no better time than the Tet Holiday. Hanoi during Tet Holiday is a city bursting with energy: bright fireworks, centuries-old traditions, and genuinely warm, welcoming people. Whether it is your first visit or you have been before, these three experiences will give you a real taste of what the Lunar New Year feels like in Vietnam’s capital.
Tet Nguyen Dan or simply Tet, is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year according to the lunar calendar, and in Hanoi, the celebrations are particularly vibrant and colourful.
Gold and red decorations line every street. The scent of incense drifts out from small neighbourhood shrines, while the sound of drums follows lion dances through ancient shophouses. It truly is a feast for all your senses.
So what exactly makes Hanoi during Tet Holiday so extraordinary? Three experiences stand out above the rest: the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, a traditional cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, and a calligraphy visit at the Temple of Literature. Read on to discover why each one deserves a place on your travel plan.
1. New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Watch the Sky Light Up for the Year of the Horse
One of the most exciting parts of Hanoi during Tet Holiday is, without doubt, the fireworks. They mark the arrival of the Lunar New Year in the most spectacular way imaginable.
On February 17, 2026, Hanoi will officially welcome the Year of the Horse with fireworks displays at 33 locations across the city, launched from 34 dedicated sites. Some fireworks soar high into the night sky, while others remain closer to the ground, producing stunning light effects and pyrotechnic displays.
Importantly, the city distributes these launch sites evenly across many different areas. As a result, almost everyone in Hanoi, regardless of where they are staying, can enjoy the celebration.
The Best Spots to Watch
The most impressive high-altitude displays will illuminate Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks. Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Lac Long Quan Flower Garden, Son Tay Ancient Citadel, Hoa Binh Park, Van Quan Lake, and the F1 racetrack area will all host major shows. Each location offers its own distinct atmosphere and viewing angle, so it is worth choosing based on the experience you want.
The show itself lasts 15 minutes, running from midnight to 00:15. It is brief, but absolutely unforgettable.
Tips for New Year’s Eve
To secure a good spot, arrive at least one hour before midnight. Hoan Kiem Lake, in particular, fills up very quickly. Once you are there, you will find yourself surrounded by families, couples, and elderly Vietnamese people all waiting together in the cool February air. Many wear the traditional ao dai. Together, everyone holds their breath for that first burst of colour and light, a moment of shared joy that truly defines the spirit of Hanoi during Tet Holiday.
2. Cyclo Rides Through the Old Quarter: Slow Down and See Hanoi at Its Best
Hanoi is a city that rarely stands still. However, during Tet Holiday, one of the most rewarding things you can do is deliberately slow your pace.
A cyclo is a three-wheeled bicycle with a passenger seat positioned at the front. It is one of the most iconic and charming ways to explore the city, and riding through the Old Quarter during the Lunar New Year festival is a genuinely unique experience.
What You Will See
During Tet, the Old Quarter undergoes a remarkable transformation. Red lanterns and golden banners hang from shop fronts throughout the district. Street vendors sell kumquat trees and peach blossoms, two powerful symbols of good fortune in Vietnamese culture, alongside bundles of fresh flowers that fill the air with a sweet, festive fragrance.
Altars appear on pavements, glowing softly with candles and incense offerings. Meanwhile, lion dances weave energetically through the streets, bringing luck to local businesses and delighting onlookers. From the open front seat of a cyclo, you absorb all of this gradually, the vibrant colours, the intricate decorations, the rhythmic drumming, and the laughter of Vietnamese people celebrating with their family members. Rather than simply observing the Lunar New Year festival, you feel genuinely part of it.
Travel Tips
Morning is the ideal time to go. The streets are calmer, the winter light is soft and flattering, and the whole experience feels more personal. A typical route takes you through the legendary “36 Streets,” past Dong Xuan Market, and around the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, where the iconic red Huc Bridge and the serene Ngoc Son Temple sit peacefully on the water.
For those who want to extend the adventure, guided tours are available that combine the cyclo ride with an evening water puppet show, an excellent way to enjoy two of Hanoi’s most beloved traditions in a single day.
3. Spring Calligraphy at the Temple of Literature: A Tradition That Goes Back Centuries
Requesting a hand-brushed calligraphy scroll is one of the most meaningful cultural activities you can experience in Hanoi during Tet Holiday. Furthermore, it is a tradition that Vietnamese people have honoured for hundreds of years.
At the start of the Lunar New Year, people seek out a calligraphy master and commission a single word, written by hand with a brush. Popular choices include “Luck,” “Prosperity,” and “Wisdom.” Receiving such a scroll is believed to attract good fortune and success throughout the coming year. For students and family members hoping to thrive in the year ahead, it holds particularly deep significance.
The Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s Oldest Centre of Learning
The finest place to experience this tradition is the Spring Calligraphy Festival at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, widely known as the Temple of Literature.
Founded in 1070, the Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first national university. Inside, a series of tranquil courtyards leads past ancient stone steles bearing the names of the country’s greatest scholars. Stepping through the gates feels like a journey back through centuries of Vietnamese intellectual heritage, and during Tet, the atmosphere becomes even more extraordinary.
What the 2026 Festival Offers
The Spring Calligraphy Festival 2026 runs from February 11 to March 1 and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This year, 35 master calligraphers, each selected through a rigorous and transparent process, are stationed around the newly redesigned Van Lake area. Watching a calligrapher work is a mesmerising experience: confident brushstrokes flow across vivid red paper, producing characters that are simultaneously works of art and personal wishes for the new year.
Beyond the calligraphy itself, the festival offers a rich programme of activities. Visitors can enjoy lion dances and traditional folk performances, including quan ho singing, ca tru music, and cheo opera. In addition, there are traditional games, handmade craft displays, and special exhibitions exploring Vietnam’s long scholarly heritage. Highlights include A Thousand Years of Learning, which traces Hanoi’s cultural identity over the centuries, and Horses Return to the Streets, a timely celebration of the incoming Year of the Horse.
In short, whether you arrive in the early morning or stay for the evening performances, the Temple of Literature during Tet is an experience that will stay with you long after you leave Hanoi.
4. Hanoi During Tet Holiday: Essential Tips Before You Go
Visiting Hanoi during the Lunar New Year requires some advance preparation. Nevertheless, with the right planning, the experience is entirely seamless.
Book accommodation early. Hotels near the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake sell out well in advance. Ideally, reserve your room several weeks before the holiday begins.
Check what stays open. Many small restaurants and local shops close during the first few days of Tet, as family members return home to celebrate together. As a result, it is wise to identify hotels and eateries that remain open throughout the holiday period.
Arrive early for the fireworks. Head to Hoan Kiem Lake or Thong Nhat Park at least one hour before midnight on February 17, since prime viewing spots are claimed quickly.
Choose the morning for your cyclo ride. The Old Quarter is noticeably quieter, and the soft winter light makes the whole experience more atmospheric.
Visit the calligraphy festival in the late afternoon. Crowds tend to thin out later in the day, and you can easily stay on for the evening folk performances.
Dress in layers. February temperatures in Hanoi typically range from 15°C to 20°C, so a light jacket is advisable for outdoor evening events. When visiting the Temple of Literature, modest clothing is appreciated as a sign of respect.
5. Why Hanoi During Tet Holiday Belongs on Your Travel List
Fireworks reflected on the surface of Hoan Kiem Lake. A gentle cyclo ride through lantern-lit, flower-scented streets. A hand-brushed scroll of good fortune received from a calligraphy master at Vietnam’s oldest university. These are the experiences that make Hanoi during Tet Holiday truly unforgettable.
Each one connects you to something authentic, to Vietnamese history, to the daily lives of local people, and to a culture that celebrates the Lunar New Year with genuine passion and heart. Ultimately, you do not simply watch Tet in Hanoi. You become part of it.
Start planning your trip today. Hanoi is ready to welcome you into its most extraordinary time of year.
FAQ
During Tet, Hanoi turns into a dazzling city of lights. Streets in the Old Quarter, around Hoan Kiem Lake, and near the Temple of Literature are decorated with lanterns, flowers, and traditional motifs.
Okay, not everything, but most businesses, including museums and other tourist attractions, are closed. Sometimes they are closed just for the day of Tet, but many small businesses close their doors days before and after Tet.
Many businesses will close over Tet. In big cities, like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, you won’t have to worry too much – plenty of restaurants and tourist attractions will remain open. However, in small towns, many local businesses will close up shop for the entire holiday.
