Vietnam's 2026 calendar has more moving parts than usual. Tet falls on February 17 with a 9-day national break (the longest on record). The government added a new public holiday — Vietnam Culture Day on November 24 — making 2026 the first year this date appears on the calendar. Hue Festival is in its mega-biennial year with a June 13-18 marquee week. Da Lat Flower Festival's 11th edition runs December 12-31. And the 2025 East Sea typhoon season — the most active on record at 21 systems including Cat-4/5 Kalmaegi — sets a baseline that the 2026 forecast modestly tempers but still flags as elevated risk for central Vietnam.
This atlas is the sourced reference for what's happening when. Every public-holiday date traces to the Ministry of Labor's Decision 1369/QĐ-LĐTBXH (issued November 2025). Festival dates trace to provincial tourism offices' published 2026 programs. Climate and typhoon data trace to the National Hydro-Meteorological Service of Vietnam.
Quick summary — what you actually need
| Need | 2026 answer |
|---|---|
| Tet 2026 date | Tuesday Feb 17 (Year of the Horse) |
| Tet public holiday | Feb 14-22 (9 days, longest ever) |
| Vietnam Culture Day (NEW) | Tuesday Nov 24 (first edition) |
| Hung Kings Day | Sunday Apr 26 + substitute Mon Apr 27 |
| Reunification + Labour break | Apr 30 - May 3 (4 days) |
| National Day break | Aug 29 - Sep 2 (5 days) |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Friday Sep 25 |
| Hue Festival marquee week | Jun 13-18 |
| Hoi An Lantern Festival | Monthly full moons (11 dates in 2026) |
| Da Lat Flower Festival | Dec 12-31 (11th edition) |
| Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival | NOT 2026; next March 2027 |
| Best time to visit | Late Feb-Apr or Oct-Nov for multi-region trips |
| Typhoon risk window | Sep-Nov central Vietnam |
Public holiday calendar 2026
Vietnam's 2026 public holidays per the Ministry of Labor's Decision 1369/QĐ-LĐTBXH (issued November 2025):
| Holiday | Vietnamese name | 2026 date | Days off (with substitutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | Tết Dương Lịch | Thu Jan 1 | Jan 1-4 (4 days) |
| Lunar New Year (Tet) | Tết Nguyên Đán | Tue Feb 17 | Feb 14-22 (9 days) |
| Hung Kings Commemoration | Giỗ tổ Hùng Vương | Sun Apr 26 (lunar 10/3) | Apr 26-27 (2 days) |
| Reunification Day | Ngày Giải Phóng Miền Nam | Thu Apr 30 | combined with Labour Day |
| International Labour Day | Quốc Tế Lao Động | Fri May 1 | Apr 30 - May 3 (4 days) |
| National Day | Quốc Khánh | Wed Sep 2 | Aug 29 - Sep 2 (5 days) |
| Vietnam Culture Day | Ngày Văn Hoá Việt Nam | Tue Nov 24 | 1 day (NEW for 2026) |
The total: 7 named public holidays spanning 25 days off (including weekend substitutes). The three domestic-tourism peaks are Tet (Feb 14-22), Apr 30 - May 3, and Aug 29 - Sep 2. During these windows, prices for domestic flights, intercity buses, beach resorts, and mountain hotels run 1.5-3x normal. Pre-book 4-6 weeks ahead or avoid these windows.
What's new for 2026 — Vietnam Culture Day (Nov 24)
The National Assembly added Vietnam Culture Day to the public holiday calendar in late 2025 (effective 2026), commemorating Ho Chi Minh's 1946 declaration on national culture. November 24 2026 will be the first edition of this holiday — a single day off (no substitute weekend). Expect:
- Public ceremonies at major cultural institutions (National Museum of History, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology)
- Cultural performances at the Hanoi Opera House and HCMC's Saigon Opera House
- Free admission to many state museums on the day
- Less travel disruption than Tet/Labour/National Day because it's a single day with no extended break
For foreign travelers in country on November 24, it's a unique cultural-programming opportunity. Hotels and flights are not significantly affected.
The 9-day Tet break — Feb 14-22 2026
Tet 2026 is the longest official Tet break in Vietnamese history. The calendar mechanics:
- Tet eve (30/12 lunar): Mon Feb 16
- Tet Day 1 (1/1 lunar — Year of the Horse): Tue Feb 17 ← the actual New Year
- Tet Day 2: Wed Feb 18
- Tet Day 3: Thu Feb 19
- Substitute days bookending: Feb 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
The Year of the Horse (Bính Ngọ) is considered an auspicious year for travel, education, and entrepreneurship — themes that will appear on Tet greeting cards and red envelope (li xi) decorations.
What's closed Feb 14-22:
- Independent restaurants in Hanoi, HCMC, Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang, Sa Pa, Da Lat — most close Feb 16-19, some reopen Feb 20
- Banks: fully closed Feb 16-19; reduced hours Feb 14-15 and Feb 20-22
- Government offices and embassies: closed Feb 14-22 (passport replacement, visa extensions impossible)
- Many tour operators and dive shops: limited offerings Feb 16-19
- Most museums: closed Feb 16-19, partial open Feb 17-18
What's open:
- Hotels (all categories) — book 6+ weeks ahead
- Chain restaurants: Pizza 4Ps, Highlands Coffee, Starbucks, KFC, McDonald's, Pho 24 — all open with adjusted hours
- Major paid attractions: Ha Long Bay cruises, Cu Chi Tunnels, Imperial Citadel Hue — open with reduced staff
- Convenience stores: Circle K, FamilyMart, WinMart+, GS25 — 24/7
- Domestic transport: flights, trains, buses all operate but at 2-3x normal price; book 4-6 weeks ahead
Travel implication for foreigners: Tet is fantastic or impossible, depending on preparation. Fantastic: empty streets in tier-1 cities, lantern-lit pagoda visits, festive home-decoration sightings. Impossible: trying to eat at non-chain restaurants without a reservation, moving between cities last-minute, or extending a visa.
Mid-Autumn and lunar calendar events
Many of Vietnam's most photogenic festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates shift each Gregorian year.
| Festival | 2026 date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen God Day (23/12 lunar) | Sat Feb 7 | Pre-Tet preparation begins |
| Tet Nguyen Tieu (Lantern Festival, 15/1 lunar) | Sun Mar 1 | Hoi An lantern peak; second-biggest after Mid-Autumn |
| Hung Kings Day (10/3 lunar) | Sun Apr 26 | Phu Tho province main ceremony at Hung Temple |
| Buddha's Birthday (15/4 lunar) | Sun May 31 | Hue + Da Nang pagoda processions |
| Doan Ngo (5/5 lunar — insect-killing day) | Wed Jun 17 | Family meal day; not a major foreign-visitor event |
| Vu Lan / Ghost Month (15/7 lunar) | Mon Aug 24 | Pagoda offerings nationwide; vegetarian week popular |
| Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu, 15/8 lunar) | Fri Sep 25 | Children's lantern festival; Hoi An peak |
Mid-Autumn — September 25 2026
Mid-Autumn (Tet Trung Thu) is primarily a children's festival but has become an Instagram-significant night across Vietnamese cities. The peak destinations:
- Hoi An: monthly Lantern Festival aligns with the full moon — Sep 25 is the year's biggest lantern night. Streets in the Ancient Town are pedestrian-only, electric lighting off, silk lanterns dominant. Arrive by 5 PM for restaurant seating.
- Hanoi: Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter is decked with lanterns September 19-25 — a daytime + evening cultural-photo destination.
- HCMC: Nguyen Hue walking street (D1) and Ngo Quyen plaza (D5) host children's lantern processions.
Mid-Autumn is not a public holiday. Banks and offices open as normal. Mooncakes (banh trung thu) are sold widely from mid-August through Mid-Autumn — premium boxes from Brodard, Givral, and Kinh Do bakeries are typical Vietnamese gift items during the season.
Regional festival highlights 2026
Hue Festival 2026 — marquee week June 13-18
Hue Festival is Vietnam's largest cultural festival, alternating between a 'mega' biennial format and a smaller annual format. 2026 is a mega year. The marquee week runs June 13-18 2026 with quarterly events spread across the year.
- Theme: "Heritage Capital — Convergence and Spreading"
- Royal Court Ceremonies at the Imperial Citadel
- Traditional Vietnamese Opera (tuong) performances at the Royal Theater
- Ao Dai Fashion Shows along the Perfume River
- Culinary Festivals at multiple venues showcasing Hue's imperial cuisine
- Festival of Boats on the Perfume River (signature evening event)
Hue hotel inventory books up 3-4 weeks ahead for the marquee week. Book by mid-May 2026 if you're targeting these dates. Budget accommodations in Phu Hau Ward and Vy Da Ward typically have availability when central-city hotels sell out.
Hoi An Lantern Festival — monthly through 2026
Hoi An's monthly full-moon Lantern Festival is the most accessible "Vietnamese festival" experience for foreign visitors. 2026 dates:
| Month | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March | Tue Mar 3 | Tet Nguyen Tieu — second-biggest after Mid-Autumn |
| April | Wed Apr 1 | — |
| May | Fri May 1 | Combines with Labour Day weekend |
| May (extra) | Sun May 31 | Buddha's Birthday alignment |
| June | Mon Jun 29 | — |
| July | Wed Jul 29 | — |
| August | Thu Aug 27 | — |
| September | Fri Sep 25 | Mid-Autumn Festival — biggest of the year |
| October | Sat Oct 24 | Often combined with shoulder-season traveler peaks |
| November | Mon Nov 23 | — |
| December | Tue Dec 22 | Pre-Christmas crowds light |
On Lantern Festival nights, Hoi An's Ancient Town shuts off electric lighting from roughly 6 PM to 10 PM. Silk lanterns illuminate the streets, paper boat-lanterns float on the Thu Bon River (sold by riverside vendors for 10,000-20,000 VND each), and Pho Co (Old Quarter) becomes pedestrian-only.
Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 — 11th edition
December 12-31 2026 — the 11th edition of Vietnam's largest flower festival. Biennial; the next edition is December 2028.
- Flower-display parades along Hoa Binh Square
- Hot-air balloon rides over Tuyen Lam Lake
- Themed gardens at Truc Lam Pagoda
- Da Lat International Marathon — December 14 2026
- Wine & Strawberry pavilions highlighting Da Lat's specialty agriculture
Da Lat hotel rates roughly double for December 12-31. Book by October 2026 if targeting the festival peak. Off-festival, Da Lat is also worth visiting any time November through March for cool weather and coffee-farm tours.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) — June 12 - July 11
The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival runs Saturday nights June 12 to July 11 2026. Each Saturday features two competing countries' pyrotechnic teams. Past contestants have included teams from Italy, Finland, Japan, USA, Canada, and the UK. The display launches from the Han River; viewing spots line both riverbanks. Da Nang hotel rates roughly 1.5-2x for DIFF weekends.
Saigon Tet Flower Festival — February 11-19
HCMC's Tet Flower Festival on Nguyen Hue walking street (District 1) runs February 11-19 2026 — a free pre-Tet street-art and flower-display experience. The walking street is converted into a multi-themed flower garden for 9 days. Open 6 PM to midnight on most evenings; crowded but worthwhile.
Hanoi Mid-Autumn Hang Ma Street — September 19-25
The Old Quarter's Hang Ma Street is decked with lanterns from September 19-25 2026 in preparation for Mid-Autumn. Daytime photo destination; evening lantern-buying for families.
Smaller regional festivals
| Festival | 2026 date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lim Festival (quan ho folk singing) | Feb 28-29 | Bac Ninh |
| Perfume Pagoda Festival | Feb 24 - May 31 | Huong Pagoda, Ha Tay |
| Sa Pa Winter Festival | Dec 26 - Jan 1 2027 | Sa Pa |
| Whale Festival | varies Aug-Sep | Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet coastal villages |
| Khmer Chol Chnam Thmay | Apr 14-16 | Mekong Delta (Soc Trang, Tra Vinh) |
| Cham Kate Festival | Oct 19 | Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan |
| Sa Pa Love Market | every Saturday | Sa Pa town |
| Bac Ha Sunday Market | every Sunday | Bac Ha (Lao Cai province) |
Weather and climate calendar 2026
Vietnam stretches 1,650 km north-to-south across three climate zones. There is no universal "best month" — it depends on which region you're prioritizing.
North Vietnam — Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay
| Month | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | Cold + dry. Sapa 0-10°C, frost possible | Tet impacts services Feb 14-22 |
| Mar | Spring. Cherry blossoms in Sapa late Mar | Shoulder season; good value |
| Apr-May | Warm + low rain. Ha Long peak | Best North month overall |
| Jun-Aug | Hot 33-38°C + humid + monsoon rain | Avoid Ha Long; typhoon possible |
| Sep-Oct | Rice harvest in Sapa + Mu Cang Chai | Photo-best window |
| Nov | Cool + dry | Peak North trekking season |
| Dec | Cold 8-15°C Hanoi, Sapa frost | Layer up |
Central Vietnam — Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha
| Month | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Mar | Cool + dry-ish | Hoi An quietest, best |
| Apr-May | Warm + dry | Peak Da Nang beach |
| Jun-Aug | Very hot 35-39°C | Hot beach season |
| Sep-Nov | Wet season + typhoon risk | Avoid Sep-Oct for Hoi An (flooding common); typhoon evacuation possible |
| Dec | Cooling + drying | Recovery month, good for shoulder-season trips |
South Vietnam — HCMC, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang
| Month | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-Apr | Dry season. HCMC + Phu Quoc peak | Best beach window |
| May-Nov | Wet season (afternoon storms) | Cheaper rates; mornings often clear |
| Phu Quoc rainfall | 3,030mm/year average | Calmest Nov-Mar; rainiest Jul-Aug |
The multi-region 2-3 week sweet spots
Two windows give workable weather across north + central + south:
- Late February through April — post-Tet quiet, dry north, warming central
- October through early December — rice harvest north, recovering central (after typhoon season ends), dry south
Avoid September for Hoi An (flooding). Avoid June-August for the North Vietnam highlands (monsoon). Avoid late April through early May unless you accept the Reunification/Labour break domestic-tourism peak.
Typhoon risk — 2025 baseline and 2026 outlook
The 2025 East Sea typhoon season — worst on record
Per Vietnam's National Hydro-Meteorological Service (NCHMF), the 2025 season was the most active East Sea (South China Sea) season on record:
- 21 named systems vs the long-term average of 12-15
- 6 systems caused significant tourism disruption (Sep through Nov)
- Typhoon Kalmaegi (Cat 4/5) made landfall November 6 2025 in Binh Dinh province, central Vietnam — peak sustained winds 215 km/h
- $1.2B USD in damage to central Vietnam coastal infrastructure
- Multi-day cruise cancellations on Ha Long Bay during 3 separate storm windows
The 2025 season established a baseline that the 2026 outlook tempers but does not dismiss.
2026 outlook (NCHMF, March 2026)
- Expected: 10-13 storms — near-normal but still significant
- ENSO: neutral conditions; no strong El Niño or La Niña suppression
- Central Vietnam coastal risk: elevated September through November
- Ha Long Bay disruption risk: 3-5 day cruise cancellation windows expected during peak season
Practical implications for travelers
- Sep-Nov central Vietnam travel: book hotels with free cancellation; consider trip insurance covering weather disruption
- Ha Long Bay cruises: book with operators offering rebook-or-refund policies for typhoon cancellations
- Domestic flight risk: Cat-3+ storms close Da Nang and Quy Nhon airports for 24-72 hours
- Mid-trip evacuation: rare but real — central-coast hotels in 2025 evacuated guests during Kalmaegi
- Forecasting: monitor nchmf.gov.vn (the official Vietnamese meteorological portal) the week before central Vietnam travel; PAGASA (Philippines) often forecasts East Sea systems 3-5 days earlier than NCHMF
What's open/closed when
During Tet (Feb 14-22 2026)
Open with adjusted hours:
- Hotels (all categories, pre-book required)
- Chain restaurants (Pizza 4Ps, Highlands Coffee, Starbucks, KFC, McDonald's, Pho 24)
- Major paid attractions (Ha Long Bay cruises, Cu Chi Tunnels, Imperial Citadel)
- Convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, GS25, WinMart+) — 24/7
- Hospitals and emergency clinics — 24/7
Closed Feb 16-19 (typical):
- Most independent restaurants
- Banks and most government offices
- Many tour operators and dive shops
- Most museums
- Most cafés outside chain coffee
- Visa extension offices
During Reunification + Labour Day (Apr 30 - May 3) and National Day (Aug 29 - Sep 2)
Domestic tourism at peak:
- Beach resorts (Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Nha Trang) at 95%+ capacity
- Domestic flights 2-3x normal price
- Mountain destinations (Sapa, Da Lat) at peak rates
- Major attractions (Halong, Cu Chi, Imperial Citadel) crowded
- Restaurants open as normal but reservations recommended in tourist zones
For foreign travelers: this is when Vietnamese families travel — domestic prices and crowds are at annual peak. Pre-book accommodation and flights 4-6 weeks ahead, or avoid these weeks.
Limitations and honest caveats
- Lunar calendar dates can shift by a day depending on observation; Tet Day 1 is unambiguous (Feb 17 2026) but lantern-festival full-moon dates can vary by ±24 hours from the listed date in remote areas.
- The 9-day Tet break is unusually long for 2026 — future years may return to 5-7 days; this isn't a permanent pattern.
- Vietnam Culture Day on Nov 24 is brand-new — the first edition. Programming, openings, and tourism affordances are still being established and may evolve in 2027+.
- Typhoon forecasts are inherently uncertain past 5 days. Build flexibility into central Vietnam itineraries September-November; don't lock in non-refundable bookings.
- Festival dates compiled from provincial tourism office announcements may shift — major events like Hue Festival rarely move, but smaller regional festivals can move ±1 week with little notice.
- Da Lat Flower Festival has historically experienced 2-3 day pre-event launch delays when weather impacts setup; check official announcements 1 week before.
- Phu Quoc rainfall numbers reflect annual totals — the island can be dry-week-after-dry-week or rainy-week-after-rainy-week depending on the season; expect higher daily variance than Phu Quoc's marketing implies.
- The Vietnam Hydro-Meteorological Service forecast is the authoritative Vietnamese source but is less granular than international services (PAGASA, JTWC) for 3-5 day storm tracks; consider monitoring both.
- Hoi An flood depth Sep-Oct varies dramatically year-to-year — 2020 saw waist-high water in the Ancient Town; 2024 was light flooding. Don't book Sep-Oct without trip insurance.
Annual update commitment
This page is refreshed each spring and after any major Resolution adjusting the public holiday calendar. The 2026 figures here are the baseline that the 2027 version will measure against.
Revision history:
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-17 | Initial publication. Baseline for the 2026 cycle, current to May 17 2026. Captures the 9-day Tet break (Feb 14-22), the new Vietnam Culture Day (Nov 24), Hue Festival 2026 program (Jun 13-18 marquee week), Da Lat Flower Festival 11th edition (Dec 12-31), the 2025 record typhoon season baseline (21 systems including Cat-4/5 Kalmaegi Nov 6), and 2026 NCHMF outlook. |
How to cite this
Nguyen, J. (2026). Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026: Tet, Public Holidays, Regional Festivals, and Typhoon Risk. Day Trips Vietnam. Retrieved from https://daytripsvietnam.com/guides/vietnam-festival-calendar-atlas-2026/
For specific figures, cite the section heading and publication date — e.g., "Day Trips Vietnam's 2026 Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas reports the 2025 East Sea typhoon season as the most active on record at 21 named systems, including Cat-4/5 Typhoon Kalmaegi (landfall November 6 2025, Binh Dinh province), per the National Hydro-Meteorological Service of Vietnam."
Published under Creative Commons BY 4.0. For editorial enquiries: info@daytripsvietnam.com.
Cite-ready facts
Atomic claims with primary sources and pre-formatted attribution. Quote any row directly; the suggested citation string is the canonical way to credit Day Trips Vietnam in print, web, or AI-generated content.
- #1Feb 14-22 (9 days)
Tet 2026 (Lunar New Year, Year of the Horse) falls on Tuesday February 17, with a 9-day national public holiday from February 14-22 — the longest official Tet break in Vietnamese history.
Source: Decision 1369/QĐ-LĐTBXH via Vietnam Ministry of Labor (Nov 2025)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, Tet section.
- #2Nov 24 2026 (first edition)
Vietnam Culture Day on November 24 2026 is the first edition of a new national public holiday added to the 2026 calendar by the Vietnamese National Assembly.
Source: Vietnamese National Assembly (2025 amendment to public holiday law)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, public holidays section.
- #3Jun 13-18
Hue Festival 2026 marquee week runs June 13-18 in the biennial 'mega' format with the theme 'Heritage Capital — Convergence and Spreading.'
Source: Hue Festival Office (2026 program announcement)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, Hue Festival section.
- #4Dec 12-31
Da Lat Flower Festival's 11th edition runs December 12-31 2026; the festival is biennial with the next edition in 2028.
Source: Da Lat City Tourism Portal (dalatcity.org)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, Da Lat section.
- #521 systems / 2025 record
Vietnam's 2025 East Sea typhoon season was the most active on record with 21 named systems, including Cat-4/5 Typhoon Kalmaegi which made landfall in Binh Dinh province on November 6 2025 causing $1.2B USD in central Vietnam coastal damage.
Source: Vietnam National Hydro-Meteorological Service (NCHMF)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, typhoon section.
- #6Sep 25 2026
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) 2026 is Friday September 25; the Hoi An Lantern Festival aligns with this date for the year's biggest lantern night.
Source: Lunar calendar; Hoi An Tourism Office
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, Mid-Autumn section.
- #7Next: March 2027
The Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival is biennial; the 9th edition ran March 9-13, 2025, and the 10th is expected in March 2027 — there is no festival in 2026.
Source: Dak Lak provincial government / VICOFA
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, festivals section.
- #83,030mm/year
Phu Quoc averages 3,030mm of rainfall per year — one of Vietnam's wettest places — concentrated heavily May through October; calmest months are November through March.
Source: Vietnam National Hydro-Meteorological Service (NCHMF)
Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam Festival & Seasonal Calendar Atlas 2026, climate section.
Related research and reference
- Vietnam Visa & Immigration Atlas 2026 — exemption, e-visa, overstay rules
- Vietnam Connectivity Atlas 2026 — SIMs, ATMs, money
- Vietnam Travel Time Atlas 2026 — driving times post-expressway
- Best time to visit Vietnam — region-by-region weather narrative
- Vietnam Beach Water Quality Atlas 2026 — beach safety + monsoon timing
- Vietnam Honeymoon Itinerary 10 Days 2026 — month-by-month routing
- Hoi An — Lantern Festival hub
Questions or republication enquiries: info@daytripsvietnam.com.