From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the beautiful beaches of Sapa, there are so many beautiful places to visit in Vietnam. But with so many options, it can be hard to decide where to start.

That’s why I’ve gathered a list of the absolute best things to do in Vietnam, including my favorites and recommendations from my local friends and other expats.  Whether you’re looking for a cultural experience or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, we’ve got you covered.

We are excited to help you discover all that Vietnam has to offer, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler. So, let’s dive in!

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and a full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and enables me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

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Best Things to do in Northern Vietnam 

Northern Vietnam includes some of the best places to visit in the country, such as Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Cat Ba Island. It’s a fantastic destination for tourists who want to experience the country’s diverse and vibrant culture. Here is our curated list of the top things to do in Northern Vietnam.

1. Hanoi City Full Day Tour

If you are interested in history, culture, and architecture, the capital city of Hanoi in Northern Vietnam is a must-visit destination. To get a comprehensive and authentic experience of the city, you can join a well-planned itinerary of the Hanoi City Full-Day Tour.

This tour covers three of the most fascinating destinations in Hanoi: the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature. You will immerse yourself in the vibrant and bustling area with narrow streets, colorful shops, and an incredible atmosphere. You can explore the markets, restaurants, and street vendors and get a sense of what life is like in this historic part of Hanoi.

Next, visit the tranquil and beautiful spot in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, which is surrounded by picturesque gardens and features a stunning red bridge connecting the lake to a small island with a pagoda on it. This lake is home to giant turtles, which are considered sacred in the culture of Vietnam.

Last but not least, the Temple of Literature is a magnificent complex of buildings dates back to the 11th century and was later converted into Vietnam’s first national university. If you happen to visit Temple of Literature during Vietnamese New Year, you can ask the calligraphy masters for meaningful characters on red papers for good luck and success.

👉 Check out our top recommendations for the best nightlife experience in Vietnam

2. Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

If you are visiting Hanoi, a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a must-do activity. This impressive site is the final resting place of Vietnam’s most famous leader, Ho Chi Minh, and attracts visitors from all over the world. The highlight of this free activity is that visitors can see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh City preserved in a glass case.

Before entering the mausoleum, visitors are required to go through a strict security check. Additionally, to show respect for the leader, cellphones, cameras, and other electronic devices are not allowed inside the complex.

The mausoleum is located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, which is also home to other important landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Upon entering the mausoleum, visitors will be guided through a series of corridors that display photos and artifacts from Ho Chi Minh’s life. The embalmed body of the leader is in a dimly lit room, and visitors will have a few minutes to observe and pay their respects before following the line out.

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by Seaplane Tour

3. Take a scenic cruise in Ha Long Bay

Taking a scenic cruise trip on Halong Bay is one of the most popular things to do in Vietnam. Halong Bay is a stunning natural wonder located in the northeast of Vietnam, featuring more than 1,600 limestone islets and islands, many of which are topped with hidden beaches and dense forests. 

On the Ha Long Bay day cruise, there are many on-board activities like kayaking, cooking classes, and swimming, allowing you to immerse yourself in the bay’s natural beauty. You can paddle yourself through the crystal-clear waters and explore the hidden corners of the bay or relax on board and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Be prepared to visit a floating village, where you can learn about the daily life of locals and their traditional fishing activities. This experience offers a glimpse into the unique culture and lifestyle of the people who call this magnificent bay their home.

Visitors who are looking for a romantic experience will find this tour rewarding because they can not only take in the panoramic views of Halong Bay but also watch the sunset from the sundeck at the end of the afternoon. The stunning sunset over the bay is a magical moment and a perfect opportunity to capture some unforgettable photos.

If you have more time to explore the natural beauty of Halong Bay, then a two-day one-night cruise is an experience not to be missed. This excursion includes transfer, kayaking, cave and island tours, and meals, making it a hassle-free and comprehensive way to discover this stunning region.

Over the course of two days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, each offering their own unique highlights. From Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island in Halong to Cat Ba Island and Dark and Bright Cave in Lan Ha, and Floating Village in Bai Tu Long, there’s no shortage of natural wonders to discover.

The cruise includes accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, making it feel like you’re staying in a floating luxury hotel room.

4. Enjoy Hanoi street food and watch a water puppet show

Hanoi is renowned for its bustling street food scene and mesmerizing water puppet performances, which have been an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage for centuries.

Immerse yourself in the city’s culinary culture by joining the Hanoi Private Walking Tour. The tour takes you on a gastronomic journey to sample various local street food that is not typically found in restaurants.

From the savory Pho noodle soup and crispy Banh Mi sandwiches to the sweet Che dessert and Egg coffee, each dish has its unique history and cultural significance. As you explore the city’s culinary treasures, the knowledgeable tour guide will provide insightful commentary on the food culture of the city.

After satisfying your taste buds, the tour culminates with a visit to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Here, you’ll witness a fascinating water puppet show that takes place in a pool of water, with puppeteers hidden behind a bamboo screen. This stunning display of art and culture is a must-see for anyone visiting Hanoi.

👉 Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to savor the best of Hanoi’s street food and witness a traditional water puppet show. ✔Book Now

5. Go on a trek in Sapa

The Sapa Village Trekking Tour is an unique adventure and cultural experience. Nestled in the mountains of Northern Vietnam, Sapa is a land of natural beauty, featuring stunning valleys, picturesque rice fields and traditional hill tribe communities.

Embark on a leisurely hike through the rice terraces and marvel at the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. As you traverse the trails, you will also have the opportunity to interact with the friendly local communities, learn about their customs and way of life, and taste traditional meals that showcase the unique flavors of the region.

While the winter months may bring gloomy weather to the Sa Pa region, a climb up to Fansipan will take you above the clouds and into the sunshine, providing breathtaking views and an unforgettable adventure.

Don’t let the lower altitude fog get you down – just keep climbing to the top or take the train and cable car up for an incredible experience that is sure to leave you in awe.

👉 Learn more about the best time to visit Vietnam to discover the unique beauty of each region.

6. Explore Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ninh Binh province. It is often referred to as “Halong Bay on land”, and for good reason. The landscape is diverse and stunning, boasting karst formations, tranquil waterways, and lush green forests.

One of the best ways to experience this breathtaking complex is by joining the Trang An grottoes and Bai Dinh Pagoda Day Tour. During this tour, you will ride a boat through the waterways, taking in the towering limestone cliffs and verdant forests. Hiking or cycling through the landscape is also a great way to explore and work up an appetite for the delicious local cuisine.

The tour also includes a visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda, where you can gain insight into the spiritual and cultural significance of this magnificent site. As one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, Bai Dinh Pagoda is home to over 500 statues of Buddha and a collection of ancient artifacts and traditional architecture that will leave you in awe.

7. Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes

For food lovers, joining a Hanoi daily cooking class is an absolute must-do in Northern Vietnam. This hands-on experience offers a chance to explore local cuisine and learn new culinary techniques from the best.

The tour begins with a visit to the bustling local market to select the freshest ingredients for the dishes you will cook. As you navigate the market, you’ll be introduced to the colorful and aromatic ingredients that make Vietnamese cuisine so unique.

Next, you’ll be taken to a local kitchen where an experienced chef will guide you through the preparation of traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), spring rolls, and Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake).

After the cooking class, you’ll sit down with your fellow tour participants and enjoy the fruits of your labor, savoring the flavors of the dishes you have created. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other food enthusiasts and share your experiences in Hanoi, the heart of Vietnamese cuisine.

8. Ha Giang Adventure & Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

If you’re a thrill-seeker and love exploring new destinations on the back of a motorcycle, the Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Adventure is the perfect experience for you. This 4-day guided tour takes you on a breathtaking journey through northern Vietnam, where you’ll witness stunning mountain landscapes, natural wonders, and vibrant cultural hotspots.

As you cruise along winding roads through jungle-clad mountain passes, past valleys of paddy fields, and towering limestone karsts, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring scenery Vietnam has to offer.

The tour includes overnight accommodation in village homestays, allowing you to immerse yourself in local hospitality and experience the culture of the region firsthand. With the support of your local guide, you’ll uncover the secrets of the mountains, discover hidden gems, and indulge in delicious local cuisine.

For those who prefer not to drive themselves, there is also an option to hire a driver for your motorcycle or a car with a driver at your own cost. The tour includes semi-automatic motorcycle hire, safety equipment, guide, minor motorcycle repairs, gas, 3-nights accommodation, entrance fees, activities, and meals.

9. Visit the Perfume Pagoda

Visiting the Perfume Pagoda in Northern Vietnam is an experience that will leave you both spiritually fulfilled and visually captivated. Nestled within a stunning mountain range, the complex of Buddhist temples and shrines is a must-see destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.

To reach the pagoda, embark on a scenic 1-hour boat ride along the Yen River, where you will be treated to picturesque views of green rice paddies and majestic limestone mountains. This tranquil journey offers a glimpse into the peaceful rural life of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, you can opt for a challenging climb to the main temple complex or take your time exploring smaller temples along the way. Whichever option you choose, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and a sense of serenity that only comes with being in the presence of such spiritual beauty.

10. Experience the natural beauty and traditional heritage of Bac Son Valley

The 2-day Bac Son Valley Tour with Homestay is a one-of-a-kind adventure that allows visitors to experience the valley’s stunning terraced rice fields and immerse themselves in the local culture by staying overnight in a traditional house on stilts.

The tour starts with a guided trek through the terraces, offering a stunning sight to behold. The trek covers different parts of the valley, with varying degrees of difficulty and terrain, and allows visitors to stop and take photos or chat with locals to learn more about their culture and way of life.

For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, a combination of guided trekking and independent biking is also an option. This way, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the valley’s natural splendor while enjoying the freedom to move around independently.

After a day of exploration, visitors can relax and unwind in a traditional house on stilts, experiencing the warm hospitality of ethnic minority people. This is a unique opportunity to connect with locals, share stories and create unforgettable memories.

Best things to do in Central Vietnam

From exploring the ancient imperial city of Hue to soaking up the sun in the pristine beaches of Da Nang and discovering the stunning natural wonders of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, there are plenty of incredible experiences to be had. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best things to do in this region.

11. Walk around the ancient town of Hoi An

Walking around the ancient town of Hoi An is a great experience, as it offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been beautifully preserved and has a rich history dating back to the 15th century. 

The town is renowned for its narrow streets, historic architecture and colorful lanterns. As you wander around the town, you will come across many well-preserved Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples, and ancient Vietnamese homes. 

Don’t miss an experience of tasting local street food, shopping for traditional handicrafts and even getting some tailored clothes made by skillful local tailors.  An evening visit is highly recommended because you can see a magical atmosphere with many colorful lanterns lit up.

 12. Explore the Marble Mountains

Embark on a journey to Marble Mountains, a mesmerizing cluster of five limestone peaks just a short distance from Da Nang city center. Adorned with an array of caves, towers, tunnels, and pagodas built by the Mahayana Buddhists and Nguyen Dynasty Kings, this destination is a true wonder.

With its stairway of 156 steps leading to the top of Water Mountain, the experience of reaching the summit is unparalleled. 

13. Take a cooking class in Hoi An

A trip to Central Vietnam is incomplete without experiencing the joy of learning how to cook some specialties of this region. The Hoi An Eco Cooking Class tour offers a range of fun activities.

Not only will you learn how to cook the best Vietnamese dishes, but you really get to immerse yourself in the local lifestyle: bargaining at the local market, learning about ingredients, traveling on a bamboo boat, riding a basket boat, catching fish, joining in race competitions and visiting a coconut tree forest.

14. Visit My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is a culturally and historically important site that is home to an expansive Hindu temple remaining from the Champa people. Though it is not as grand in scale as the likes of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, My Son is a hugely significant monument to history.

There, you will be fascinated by the intricate carvings, statues and architecture of these ancient temples when walking around the site.

15. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese massage

Central Vietnam is a great place to experience the traditional Vietnamese massage, an ancient practice that has been handed down from generation to generation.

The massage technique is known for its unique combination of acupressure, stretching and deep tissue massage, which helps release tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation of the whole body and mind.

16. Explore the Ba Na Hills 

Ba Na Hills is a stunning mountain resort that sits just outside the city of Da Nang. As you ride the cable car to the top of the mountain, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Once you reach the summit, you’ll discover a world of adventure and wonder. Take a stroll through the lush gardens, explore the charming French villages, or enjoy the thrill of amusement park rides.

17. Visit the Hue Citadel

Anyone interested in history, culture and architecture will find the Hue city full day tour rewarding. The citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a well-preserved complex of temples, palaces and tombs that offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Walk through the main entrance to the citadel with intricate design and architecture – Ngo Mon Gate, then the coronation hall of the Nguyen emperors, Thai Hoa Palace, which is notable for its grandeur and opulence. 

After visiting the citadel, take a stop at Dong Ba Market, and then enjoy a dragon boat ride to Thien Mu pagoda.

18. Take a guided tour of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

This educational experience in the DMZ provides a unique opportunity to explore the area that once separated North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Be prepared to learn about the area’s strategic importance, and the devastating impact of the conflict on the local communities. The first stop of the tour is Vinh Moc tunnels, an extensive network of underground tunnels used by the North Vietnamese Army during the war.

Next, visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base, a former US Marine Corps, which was the site of a major battle during the war. Make a stop at Ben Hai River, the dividing line between North and South Vietnam during the war.

19. Hoi An Old Town Food Tour by Night

One of the most enjoyable activities in Central Vietnam is the Walking Tour to explore Hoi An Food at Sunset.

Starting in the late afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the town’s picturesque streets and alleyways, and sample a variety of dishes. You can try Banh Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich filled with meat, pate and vegetables; Cao Lau, a noodle dish made with pork, local greens and herbs; Banh Xeo, a crispy pancake filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts.

Also, don’t miss the chance to enjoy local snacks like Banh Beo and Mi Quang.

This tour provides a delightful experience as you take in the sights and sounds of Hoi An at sunset, discover new flavors and textures.

20. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River 

One of the cheapest but most rewarding outdoor activities in Hoi An, Central Vietnam is to admire the romantic sunset on a cruise along Thu Bon River. To enjoy a sunset cruise, you can easily find a wooden boat sailing along the main branch of the river’s lower section.

When the boat begins to drift down the river, you will enjoy the beautiful sightseeing, fishing nets and boats bobbing on the waters. This is really a beautiful and relaxing way to end your day in Central Vietnam.

Best things to do in Southern Vietnam

Southern Vietnam is a region full of beautiful landscapes, fascinating culture, and delicious cuisine. The region is home to bustling cities like Ho Chi Minh City and stunning natural attractions like the Mekong River and Phu Quoc Island. There’s always something for every type of traveler, whether you’re interested in history, nature, food, or just exploring new places. 

21. Explore Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on motorbike

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on a motorbike is an unforgettable experience in Southern Vietnam. It is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this bustling city and ride like a local.

Hop on the back of a motorbike with a student local guide and zoom through the streets of Saigon, taking in the sights and sounds of this energetic city. 

The tour typically begins with a visit to the Venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument, followed by a ride past Ho Thi Ky Flower Market. Ride through narrow alleys, historic neighborhoods, bustling markets and stop along the way to taste some famous street food of Saigon.

The tour also includes a visit to some of the most iconic landmarks of the city, like Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House and Nguyen Hue broad walking street. 

Check out the best nightlife spots in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

22. Stroll around the city to enjoy street food

Vietnamese food is known for its delicious flavors, unique textures and affordable prices. By exploring the streets on foot, you will have a chance to sample some of the best street food that Vietnam has to offer. 

To start your culinary adventure in Southern Vietnam, head to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can find a variety of stalls selling everything from sandwiches to grilled meats, Pho noodle soup and fresh fruits. 

Another great way to sample Vietnamese street food is to visit one of the many food alleys found throughout the cities. These alleys are home to clusters of food stalls and vendors serving up everything from steaming bowls of noodles to crispy spring rolls.

For the more adventurous eaters, try some of the unusual street food options like fried insects or snails – they are sure to surprise you. With so many options available, you are guaranteed to find something that will satisfy your appetite and leave you craving more. 

23. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

A visit to Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the popular things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, and for good reason. Located outside of the city center, these tunnels are a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people, and offer a special insight into the history and culture of the country. 

Cu Chi tunnels were used by the Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War as a network of underground tunnels and living quarters. On a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, you can crawl through narrow passageways, see hidden entrances, and try your hand at firing various weapons at a nearby shooting range.

Whether you are a history buff or simply curious to learn more about the culture and heritage of the country, this tour is not to be missed.

24. Explore the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh

Cao Dai is a relatively new religion found in the early 20th century and has roots in Buddhism, Catholicism, Taoism and Confucianism. The Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh serves as the main center of the religion and is an impressive structure with intricate details and vibrant colors. 

To gain a rare glimpse into the beliefs and practices of the Cao Dai religion, it is recommended to observe a midday prayer ceremony.

From the outside, the temple has ornate architecture and intricate artwork. Getting inside, you will see colorful mosaics, elaborate carvings, and lively frescoes that illustrate the religion’s collection of saints and symbols.

25. Hon Mun Island Snorkeling from Nha Trang

Nha Trang is one of the best vacation spots in Vietnam. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly adventure in Nha Trang, be sure to check out the Hon Mun Island Half-Day Snorkeling Guided Tour.

While there are no ferries to the island, this private tour offers a hassle-free way to get there. Your package includes breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a dedicated snorkeling guide, as well as door-to-door transfers from your hotel.

The tour provides two stops at Nha Trang’s most beautiful coral reef, allowing you to discover a variety of marine life. With your snorkeling equipment and dedicated guide, you’ll be able to swim through the clear waters and witness the colorful reef of Hon Mun Island.

26. Scuba Diving in Nha Trang 

Scuba Diving in the South China Sea is an unforgettable experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Even if you’re not a certified diver, you can still enjoy the thrill of scuba diving with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program.

This introduction program is perfect for beginners, and you’ll receive personal attention from your instructor every step of the way. With two proper dives in the beautiful South China Sea, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discover the vibrant marine life that this area is famous for.

27. Soak up the atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market 

Ben Thanh market is one of the most iconic landmarks and a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. 

Soak yourself in the local culture and atmosphere as you stroll through the market where you will be greeted by a colorful range of stalls providing everything from fresh produce and seafood to handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs. 

28. Visit the Saigon Opera House

Saigon Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, is a stunning French colonial building that dates back to the early 20th century.

It’s where you can learn more about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the French influence. Explore various rooms and areas of the Opera House, including the main auditorium, the backstage area and the balconies.

If lucky, you may catch a performance at the Opera House. The venue hosts a range of cultural events, including operas, ballets, and traditional Vietnamese dance performances. Attending a show at Saigon Opera House is a unique experience and an excellent way to engage in Ho Chi Minh City’s culture. 

29. Explore the Mekong Delta by boat 

Gain insight into the daily lives and customs of the people who call the Mekong Delta home and witness their daily routines while living along the river banks. Such experiences exist in a Mekong Delta River Cruise Adventure Tour from Ho Chi Minh City. 

When you join the tour, you will board a small boat and sail down the river, observing the rural landscapes and local life along the way.  You will also visit a local village and learn about their traditional way of life, including how they grow fruits and veggies and farm fish.

The highlight of the tour is visiting floating markets, where locals gather to sell their products. You will see boats piled with vegetables, tropical fruits and other goods. Here, you can buy some items to take home.

30. Relax on beautiful Phu Quoc’s beaches

Phu Quoc is considered a stunning tropical paradise in the Gulf of Thailand and a Pearl Island in Southern Vietnam. 

Gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush greenery are part of what creates the beauty of this island. It is really a perfect place to relax and unwind. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful landscape but you can also take part in various water sports, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet skiing. It is also a great place to sunbathe, take a dip in the ocean, watch the sunset and enjoy a cocktail or two.

In addition to the beaches, there are many other activities to enjoy on the island like exploring the local fishing villages, visiting the night market to try some of the island’s delicious street food, or taking a boat tour to explore the nearby islands.

Vietnam Travel Guide: Useful Tips

As with any foreign destination, it’s crucial to be well-prepared before embarking on your Vietnam adventure. To ensure you make the most of your trip, check out these helpful travel tips before you go. 

👉 Travel Insurance: No one wants to think about what could go wrong on a vacation, but accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. It’s honestly not worth taking the risks when you can be covered for cheap, and I recommend Safety Wing for budget-conscious travelers.

👉 Plan your itinerary: From the beach to the jungle, Vietnam is a country that has a lot to offer and it is essential to plan your itinerary before you go. Make a list of the places you want to visit and the activities you want to do. It is also important to consider the time of year you are traveling, as the weather can vary greatly depending on the season.

👉 Research visa requirements: Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Vietnam. Be sure to research the requirements and obtain any necessary documentation before you go.

👉 Pack for the weather: Vietnam has a tropical climate, which means it can be hot and humid throughout much of the year. Pack light, breathable clothing, and don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

👉 Be cautious with street food: Vietnam is famous for its street food, but it is important to be cautious when trying new dishes. Stick to food stalls that are busy with locals, as this is usually a sign of good quality food. Avoid food that looks like it has been sitting out for a long time or has not been cooked thoroughly.

👉 Stay connected with a travel eSIM: Staying connected while traveling in Vietnam is essential, whether you need to use Google Maps to navigate, book Grab, check email, browse the web, or share your adventures in Vietnam with friends and family back home.

Consider getting a Vietnam eSIM for tourists from a prestigious eSIM provider like GIGAGO, which allows you to access data and make calls without having to worry about expensive roaming fees or finding a local SIM card.

Depending on the duration of your stay and your data usage needs, you can choose between the GIGA10U – which offers unlimited data plan for 10 days or the GIGA120 plan, which provides 120GB of data with FREE calls and is valid for 30 days. 

Vietnam Travel FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Vietnam.

In this blog post, I will be sharing 15 must-try Tet foods that will not only satisfy your taste buds but also bring you good luck for the year ahead. From the classic Banh Chung to Cha Lua, each dish has its own unique history and symbolism.

So, whether you’re planning to celebrate Tet with your family or simply looking to experience a new culture, these 15 Vietnamese Lunar New Year foods are a great place to start. Join me as we take a culinary journey through the flavors and traditions of Tet, and discover how you can eat your way to good luck.

Traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet Food

Embark on a culinary journey through the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam as we explore the traditional dishes that are an integral part of the Lunar New Year Tet festival.

1. Bánh Chưng (Chung Cake or Square Sticky Rice Cake)

Bánh Chưng, a beloved traditional Vietnamese dish, holds a special place in the country’s rich culinary culture and is considered an integral food during the Tet holiday.

Banh Chung is made of tightly-packed sticky rice that is wrapped in banana leaves and filled with pork and mung bean spread. The dish is believed to symbolize expressions of gratitude to ancestors and the earth.

The history of Banh Chung dates back thousands of years, as per the legend, King Hung VI organized a competition among his sons during a spring celebration and whoever could create the most delicious and meaningful meal would be passed the throne.

Prince Lang Lieu won the competition by creating a round cake symbolizing the sun or sky and a square cake (Banh Chung) symbolizing the earth. This legend has been passed down through generations and Banh Chung has become an important part of the cultural and culinary traditions of Vietnam.

While many people in cities may purchase Banh Chung from bakeries and supermarkets, families in rural areas of Northern Vietnam often make the dish themselves. The process of making Banh Chung is time-consuming but can be a fun and enjoyable activity for families to do together.

2. Bánh Tét (Tet Cake)

Banh Tet is a traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year food that is similar to Banh Chung, but with a different shape. Like Banh Chung, it is made with sticky rice and various fillings, but it is packed into cylindrical beams instead of being square.

There are two types of Banh Tet: sweet and savory. The savory version typically has mung beans and pork belly while sweet Banh Tet is popular with bananas, red beans, and green beans as fillings. These sweet versions are great choices for vegetarians.

Banh Tet is not only delicious but also holds a significant cultural meaning, it is a symbol of the wish for a prosperous New Year. The cylindrical shape of the cake represents the unity and continuity of life, and the fillings symbolize the abundance and prosperity that Vietnamese people hope to achieve in the coming year.

3. Thit Dong (Jellied Pork)

Jellied pork is a traditional dish that is often served during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. This dish is made by simmering pork bones and meat in a pot with spices and seasonings, then allowing it to cool in the refrigerator. As the mixture cools, the fat solidifies and forms a jelly-like consistency.

This dish is not only delicious, but it also holds a significant cultural meaning. The jelly-like texture of the meat symbolizes unity of the family. Pork is also a traditional food item and is considered a symbol of prosperity, which is why it is often served during Tet.

The dish is often served with steamed rice and pickled vegetables, and can be eaten as a main course or as an appetizer.

4. Thit Kho (Braised Pork)

Braised pork in coconut juice, also known as “thit kho”, is a traditional and beloved Vietnamese New Year dish, popular in the south of the country. The dish is made from a combination of lean and fat cuts of pork, braised in a flavorful mixture of coconut juice, fish sauce, sugar and spices.

It is often served with large, round duck eggs, which symbolize peace. The tender meat, with its delicate balance of flavors and colors, and the rich and smooth yolk of the duck eggs, create an unforgettable taste that is both sweet and salty, spicy and savory.

5. Cu Kieu (Pickled Scallion) & Tom Kho (Dried shrimp)

Cu Kieu, also known as pickled scallion, is made by marinating sliced scallions in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt. The result is a tangy and slightly sweet condiment that is often served as a side dish with main course meals. The dish is not only a delicious palate cleanser, but it also holds cultural significance. The bright green color of the scallions is said to represent renewal and growth, which is why it is often served during Tet.

Tom Kho, also known as dried shrimp, is a flavorful and savory dish made by simmering dried shrimp in a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, and spices. The dish is often served as a side dish or an appetizer. The shrimp is considered a symbol of abundance and good fortune.

6. Ga luoc (Boiled Whole Rooster)

Boiled Whole Rooster is prepared by boiling a whole rooster in a pot with spices and seasonings. The rooster is then decorated with a red rose in its mouth as a traditional touch. This symbolic gesture represents luck, fullness, and well-being, and is considered an important part of the cultural traditions surrounding the Tet Festival.

The rooster is believed to symbolize vigilance, strength, and courage, and it is often served as a main course during Tet celebrations. The dish is typically served with steamed rice and pickled vegetables, and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

7. Xoi gac (Gac sticky rice)

Xôi Gấc, or Gac sticky rice, is made from sticky rice that is cooked with Gac fruit, which is known for its bright red color and its health benefits. The bright red color of the rice is believed to represent luck and prosperity, which is why it is commonly served during Tet.

The dish is sweet, sticky and has a unique flavor, it is usually served as a dessert or sometimes as a breakfast dish. The Gac fruit used to make this dish is also considered a symbol of good health, fertility, and prosperity.

8. Gio (Pork Bologna)

Gio, also known as pork bologna, is a traditional and popular type of Vietnamese ham or sausage. There are three common types of Gio, including Gio Lua which is made of ground pork, fish sauce, and black pepper, Gio Bo which is made of beef, and Gio Thu which is made of pork meat, ear, nose, tongue, cheek, and wood ear mushrooms.

Gio is typically sold by rolls of 1 kilogram during Tet. Each roll is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, then it is unwrapped, cut into pieces, and served cold. They are often served with sticky rice and Banh Chung during Tet, but you can find them in the markets year-round.

Gio is also commonly used as fillings of Vietnamese sandwiches, such as Banh Mi. The savory and slightly sweet taste of Gio, along with its unique texture, makes it a perfect addition to any meal and a must-try dish for those who want to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine and also bring good luck in the New Year.

9. Mut (Candied Fruits)

Candied fruits and dried fruits are a traditional and popular Tet treat. If you are invited to a Vietnamese family during Tet, you will likely be offered a variety of candies, dried fruits, peanut brittle with sesame seeds, and melon seeds.

Some popular dried fruits that are often served include “mứt dừa” (coconut), “mứt me” (tamarind), and “mứt gừng” (ginger). These dried fruits are sweet, tangy, and have a unique texture that makes them a perfect addition to any meal and a must-try for those who want to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

10. Melon seeds (Hat dua)

Hạt dưa, also known as melon seeds, are considered a symbol of luck during the Lunar New Year, thanks to their beautiful red color. They are often enjoyed as a snack, paired with a cup of tea. Eating Hạt dưa is a bit of a process, you use your front teeth to peel the seeds, but the taste is worth it.

The seeds are slightly sweet and have a unique texture that makes them a perfect addition to any meal and a must-try for those who want to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

11. Five-fruit tray

A five-fruit tray is a must-have in each family during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Each fruit represents a different prayer for the future. For example, green bananas symbolize family reunion, yellow grapefruits represent a wish for peace and prosperity, and red dragon fruit represents wealth and fortune. These fruits are often placed on the altar and offered as a symbol of respect and gratitude to the ancestors, in hopes of receiving good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the new year.

In southern Vietnam, the selection of fruits for an offering may vary slightly. Popular choices include soursop (mãng cầu), fig (sung), coconut (dừa), papaya (đu đủ), and mango (xoài). The combination of these fruits sounds like “cầu sung vừa đủ xài” (praying for enough resources/money to use) in the southern dialect of Vietnamese. This demonstrates how closely tied the fruits are to the culture and the belief of the people.

12. Bubble Pork Skin Soup

Bubble pork skin soup, known as “súp bóng” in Vietnamese, is a traditional and beloved dish from the northern region of Vietnam, particularly Hanoi. It is a popular food during the Lunar New Year, and is considered a sophisticated and quintessential part of Hanoi’s culinary culture. The dish is called “bubble soup” due to the white pork skin that is used as the main ingredient, which when cooked, looks like bubbles floating on the water.

The soup is made by combining broth of pork or chicken bones with lean pork pie and vegetables. It is a delicately prepared dish that is known for its bright colors and flavors. The soup is a symbol of a prosperous and lucky year, and it’s perfect for the early spring days. The combination of the savory broth, tender meat, and the unique texture of the pork skin creates a satisfying and delicious experience.

13. Bamboo Shoot Soup

Bamboo shoot soup, also known as “canh măng” in Vietnamese, is an essential part of the Tet celebration and is considered a cultural feature of Vietnamese people from ancient times, as it is derived from nature such as bamboo shoots.

The dish is made by cooking dried bamboo shoots and pork legs together. Although it is not complicated in ingredients, it is especially delicious and requires a lot of elaborateness and meticulousness in processing. The combination of the aroma of bamboo shoots and the greasiness of well-cooked pork leg creates a perfect balance of flavors.

14. Nem or Cha Gio

Nem or Cha Gio, also known as Vietnamese egg rolls, is a dish that is deeply ingrained in Vietnam’s cultural identity.

The meaning of Nem or Cha Gio on Tet is deeply rooted in the ingredients used and the way it is prepared. The filling of fried spring rolls is a harmonious blend of various ingredients such as pork, eggs, wood ear, and more, all wrapped in a golden and crispy crust.

This harmony of ingredients is said to represent the diversity of life and the attachment between people. It’s not just a delicious dish, but it is also a representation of the cultural beauty and national identity.

15. Canh Kho Qua (Pork Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup)

Pork stuffed bitter melon soup, known as “canh kho qua” in Vietnamese, is a traditional and beloved dish that is often served during the Lunar New Year in the southern region of Vietnam. This dish is imbued with rich cultural significance, as its name, “passing through suffering”, reflects the hope for a lucky and favorable new year, and the belief that the difficulties and hardships of the past year will pass.

Final Thoughts: Vietnamese Lunar New Year Food

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year, also known as Tet, is a time for family, tradition and delicious food. From Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét to Gio, melon seeds, and five-fruit tray, each dish holds a special cultural significance and represents a different prayer for the future. The Tet holiday is a time to celebrate with loved ones and to enjoy traditional food that has been passed down through generations.

The vibrant colors and unique flavors of these dishes make them a must-try for anyone looking to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine. They are not only delicious but also symbolize good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the new year. Whether you are a food lover or just looking to experience something new, these 15 traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year foods are sure to satisfy your taste buds and bring good luck in the new year.

Are you curious about how the Vietnamese zodiac differs from the Chinese zodiac? We’ll dive into the similarities and differences between the two, and how the animal associated with the year can impact one’s personality and fate.

Have you ever wondered what the year of the Cat holds for you specifically? You’re in luck! We’ll also uncover your Vietnamese Zodiac horoscope and predictions, giving you a glimpse into what the coming year may have in store for you.

So, come along with me as we delve into the world of the Vietnamese zodiac and discover what the year of the Cat has in store!

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🍚🥢Eat your way to Good Luck with this tasty guide of 15 Must-Try Vietnamese New Year Tet Foods!

Vietnamese Zodiac Year of the Cat vs Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit

The lunar calendar used in many Asian cultures assigns a different animal to each year in a 12-year cycle known as the zodiac. While both Vietnam and China have similar zodiac signs and interpretations, they do not always align.

• In Vietnam, the 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Water Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In China, Singapore, and Korea, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The 12-year cycle of the lunar calendar in Vietnam and China starts with the year of the Rat, and it matches each year. So, a year that is known as the year of the Cat in Vietnam is also known as the year of the Rabbit in China.

🧧Learn more about Lunar New Year here🧧

Both Vietnamese and Chinese astrology use the zodiac animals to make predictions about a person’s fate, as they believe the zodiac sign influences personalities, careers, love, and fortune of the person who was born that year.

It is worth to mention that both zodiacs are different but not in a way that one is superior to the other, they are both rich in culture and tradition, and they have been an integral part of the beliefs and customs of these two ancient civilizations for centuries. As we understand and respect different cultural customs and traditions, we will foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world around us.

 🐇Why There is no Year of the Cat in Chinese Zodiac

Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor announced a grand race to decide which animals would represent each year in the Chinese zodiac. All creatures were invited to participate in this competition, and each one was determined to come out on top.

The cat and the rat were the closest of friends and decided to join the race together. The cat was known for his love of sleeping late and getting grumpy when woken up, so the rat promised to make sure they would be on time by waking him up early.

But on the day of the race, the rat didn’t keep his promise and went off on his own, leaving the cat behind. On his journey, he met the ox, the tiger, the dragon, and many other faster animals. The clever rat then devised a plan.

He convinced the ox to give him a ride, singing him a song on the way to the palace. As they were getting closer to the palace, the ox was thrilled about the possibility of being the first animal of the year, but at the last moment, the rat jumped off his back and arrived at the feet of the emperor before any other animal.

One by one, the rest of the 12 animals arrived, and lastly, the cat came running into the palace. He was the 13th to arrive and was not chosen for the calendar. Filled with fury, the cat chased after the rat, who he once thought of as a friend. And that’s why the cat is missing from the Chinese zodiac and still chasing the rat to this day.

🐱Origin of Year of the Cat in Vietnamese Zodiac

It is widely believed that the Vietnamese zodiac originated from the ancient Chinese zodiac, and that the rabbit sign was replaced by the cat due to the similarity in sound between “Mao” for rabbit in Chinese and “Meo” in Vietnamese, which means cat. This linguistic connection suggests that the Vietnamese calendar was likely adapted from the Chinese one.

However, there are also theories that suggest that the Vietnamese zodiac could have been independently created by the ancient Vietnamese people. This theory is supported by the fact that rabbits are not as popular in Vietnam as cats are, which are often kept as pets and considered part of the family, thus the cat sign is more relevant and relatable for the Vietnamese people.

When is the Year of the Cat?

The Year of the Cat is set to occur in 2023, and in the past it also occurred in 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927. To find out when the next Year of the Cat will happen, you can add 12 years to the current year of 2023.

The Lunar New Year of 2023 starts on January 22nd and marks the beginning of the Year of the Cat, ending on February 9th, 2024. As a result, people who were born in 2023 before January 22nd would be considered a Tiger, while those born after February 9th, 2024 will be considered a Dragon.

How to Get Lucky in the Year of the Cat 2023

Lunar New Year in Vietnam is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, or Vietnamese New Year. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the past year’s accomplishments as well as the start of a new year. It’s also a time when many people believe that certain superstitions can bring good luck. Here are five common superstitions to keep in mind as you prepare for Tet:

1. Cleaning your house before Tet is thought to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck to come in. Make sure to clean every corner of your house, including windows and mirrors, so that the new year can begin with a fresh start.
2. Red is considered a lucky color in Vietnamese culture, so many people dress in red and decorate their houses with flowers of bright colors.
3. Giving money in red envelopes, known as “li xi,” is a traditional Tet gift for children and unmarried adults. The money is thought to bring good luck for the new year.
4. Eating certain foods during Tet is also thought to bring good luck. For example, eating banh chung, a traditional rice cake, is said to bring good luck and longevity.
5. Avoiding arguing or fighting during Tet as it is believed that the actions of the first days of the new year will set the tone for the rest of the year, so it’s important to start the year off on a positive note.

🧧Check out the list of 21 Vietnamese New Year Traditions to ring in the new year with good luck!🧧

When is the Year of the Cat in Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac does not have a “year of the cat” as one of its twelve signs. The fourth sign in the animal zodiac is the rabbit for Chinese and the cat for Vietnamese. As a result, the year of the Rabbit in Chinese aligns with the “year of the Cat” in Vietnamese. That’s how 2023 marks the year of the Rabbit in China but the year of the Cat in Vietnam.

The Year of the Cat Meaning: Personalities, Love, and Career

In Vietnamese astrology, each animal zodiac is believed to have a powerful influence on people’s lives, shaping their fate, personalities, relationships, and careers. Some famous people who were born in the year of the Cat are Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama, and Michael Jordan.

People Born in the Year of the Cat Personalities

The year of the Cat represents people who are smart, clever, quick, and have a delicate, far-sighted eye. They are independent and resourceful individuals, who are able to adapt to different situations and endure the pressures of work and life.

People born in the year of the Cat love to enjoy themselves and live life to the fullest. They prioritize peace and happiness, and do not like conflict or war. They can be quite independent, not always following others’ advice, but this trait can also make them stubborn and resistant to change. They are known for being quite conservative, but this does not hold them back from achieving success in their lives.

People Born in the Year of the Cat: Love Life

People born in the year of the Cat value mutual understanding, empathy, and harmony in their relationships, and can’t stand to be with those who fight or argue frequently.

The Cat is the ideal lover for many people. They are known for their grace, intelligence and independence which makes them quite attractive. However, they can be quite possessive and jealous at times.

They take their relationships seriously and when they get married, and put in a lot of effort to maintain a happy home. They will wholeheartedly care and love their partner and children, and will always strive to create a comfortable life for their family.

Career of People Born in the year of the Cat

Thanks to their keen eye, understanding and intelligence, people born in the year of the Cat achieve success in many fields, especially those related to business, finance, or politics. These careers will help the Cat to develop their talents and abilities.

People born in the year of the Cat are good at business, like to communicate with people, and have a passion for artistic creation. No matter what they do, they always have a high sense of responsibility at work, always putting others’ interests first.

12 Animal Zodiac Signs: Personalities and Traits

People born in the year of the Rat: lively, active, hard-working, adaptable, creative, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Ox or Buffalo: diligent, cautious, principled, and dependable

People born in the year of the Tiger: charming, attractive, lucky, energetic, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Cat (in Vietnamese Zodiac) or Rabbit (in Chinese Zodiac): clever, considerate, diplomatic, elegant, kind, and responsible.

People born in the year of the Dragon: resourceful, ambitious, successful, and powerful

People born in the year of the Snake: intelligent, analytical with a strong interest in philosophy and self-development but have high egos and don’t want to admit their faults

People born in the year of the Horse: straightforward, agile, and resourceful with very good communication skills and kindness

People born in the year of the Goat: loving, caring, and sympathetic

People born in the year of the Monkey: humorous, adaptable, agile, attractive, and frivolous

People born in the year of the Rooster: mature. sincere, and gentle

People born in the year of the Dog: very intelligent, loyal, dedicated, and responsible

People born in the year of the Pig: generous, gullible, and lucky

Vietnamese Zodiac 2023 – Year of the Cat Predictions

And now, it’s time for the exciting part: the Vietnamese horoscope for 2023, where we’ll uncover the predictions for your fate based on your zodiac sign.

Not sure what your animal zodiac sign is? No problem! You can find out by checking the table below. Just keep in mind that if you were born in January or February, you might be the zodiac sign of the previous year.

For example, people who were born in 2023 on or before January 22nd would be a Tiger instead of a Cat, because the Year of the Cat starts on January 23rd – Lunar New Year 2023.

Rat Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Rat, 2023 is a year filled with opportunities for growth and achievement. You will likely find yourself with an abundance of energy and drive to pursue your goals and aspirations.

This year is a perfect time for you to take on new challenges and stretch yourself to reach new heights. However, it is also important to be mindful of the way you communicate and handle confidential information during this time.

Ox Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Ox, 2023 is predicted to be a desirable year with many good business opportunities. This is an excellent time to focus on your career, as you may find yourself in a position to take on new responsibilities and achieve professional success.

Your finances are also expected to flourish, which will give you more freedom and flexibility to focus on your plans and personal interests. You may also find that your family life is particularly stable and harmonious during this time, allowing you to enjoy your personal life to the fullest.

Tiger Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Tiger, 2023 is a year full of potential and promise. It presents a unique opportunity for financial growth and success, particularly in the realm of business.

This is an excellent time to start new ventures or expand existing ones as they are likely to yield substantial financial gain. Additionally, this year also holds a positive outlook for romantic prospects, making it a great time to nurture existing relationships or to start new ones.

Cat Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Cat, 2023 brings a sense of calm and contentment. You may find that your plans for the year are successful and that you feel at ease. However, it’s important to be careful with your finances and not take unnecessary risks with your money.

Make sure to think carefully about any investments you make and consider the potential risks as well as the potential rewards. Additionally, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain a positive attitude, as this will help you make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Dragon Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

The year of the Cat brings a sense of good fortune and prosperity for those born in the year of the Dragon. This year, you will find yourself surrounded by valuable allies who will support you in your pursuits. Additionally, you will find many opportunities for success in business and investments.

This is also an ideal time to plan trips and expand your social circle. You may feel particularly adventurous and eager to explore new places, meet new people, and make connections. This is a wonderful time to take risks, be bold and try new things, as you are likely to be rewarded for your efforts. This year holds the promise of growth, both personally and professionally.

Snake Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Snake, 2023 may be a year of hard work and dedication. Despite getting busy, you will find that you are surrounded by a strong support system of family, friends, and partners who will encourage and motivate you to reach your goals. It is important to remember to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, during this busy time.

Make sure to get enough rest and to take the time to nurture your relationships, as this will help you maintain a healthy balance in your life. This year is a good time to focus on your career and financial stability, but do not neglect the importance of emotional well-being. With the support of those around you, and a balance of hard work and self-care, you can achieve great success in 2023.

Horse Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Horse, 2023 is a year of surprises, both good and bad. Although the year may bring its share of challenges, particularly in terms of career, with your quick thinking, creativity, and determination, you will be able to overcome them and achieve great success. The key to success this year will be your ability to adapt and be flexible in the face of unexpected obstacles and opportunities.

Your natural quick thinking and ability to think on your feet will serve you well, as you may find yourself presented with unexpected opportunities that you can capitalize on to further your career and overall goals. Additionally, this is a good time to focus on personal growth and development, as you may find that developing new skills and talents will help you achieve even greater success. Despite the uncertainty, this year holds the potential for great luck and happiness.

Goat Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Goat, 2023 promises to be a year of many joys and opportunities. You can expect a happy family life, possibly welcoming a new member or good news.

This year is a perfect time for you to focus on your career and financial goals, as you may find that you have many opportunities to advance and achieve success. Additionally, you may also find that your social life is particularly active, with many opportunities to meet new people and make new connections.

Monkey Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

For those born in the year of the Monkey, the year of the Cat promises to bring career advancement and business expansion, as well as great potential for a new career or finding a lover.

This is a time when you may find yourself particularly ambitious and focused on achieving your goals. You may find that you are able to achieve great success in your career, and that you are able to create a sense of stability and security in your personal life.

Rooster Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

As we enter the year of the Cat, those born in the year of the Rooster may want to tread carefully when it comes to expanding their venture capital activities. However, this doesn’t mean that 2023 is a year to be avoided altogether. In fact, with hard work and determination, Roosters can still achieve great success in their careers and personal lives.

One area where Roosters should particularly focus their attention is on their family and loved ones. According to the 2023 horoscope, this is a year when Rooster in particular should make a concerted effort to spend more time with their family and lovers. Whether it’s through quality time spent together or by simply showing more care and attention, investing in these relationships can bring great rewards.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that Roosters should neglect their professional pursuits. With the right approach, this can be a year of great achievement in work, study, and exams. The key is to stay focused and to put in the hard work required to succeed. With a little bit of luck, the year of the Cat could turn out to be a very positive one for Roosters.

Dog Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

Those born in the year of the Dog can look forward to a peaceful and relatively stable year ahead. According to the Vietnamese Zodiac 2023 horoscope, this is a time when business and career opportunities are likely to present themselves, and with the help of supportive resources, you’ll be well-equipped to overcome any difficulties that may arise.

But 2023 isn’t just about working hard and achieving your professional goals. This is also a year when you may find yourself feeling particularly relaxed and content. With this in mind, it’s important to make time for fun, relaxation and spending quality time with your family. This can help you to achieve a sense of balance and harmony in your life.

In short, for those born in the year of the Dog, 2023 is a year of opportunities and stability, with a good balance of work and play. You may find yourself feeling particularly at ease, and with a little bit of planning, you can make the most of this positive energy to achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life.

Pig Sign: 2023 Vietnamese Zodiac Predictions

As we enter the year of the Cat, those born in the year of the Pig can look forward to a lucky and prosperous year ahead, particularly when it comes to financial enhancement and career opportunities.

According to the Vietnamese Zodiac 2023 horoscope, the middle months of the year may bring particularly favorable conditions for financial growth, and this is a great time to focus on your financial goals and work towards achieving them.

However, it’s important to be mindful of potential challenges as well. People born in the yea of the Pig are advised to avoid disputes in legal proceedings or conflicts in relationships as they may distract you from your goals and hinder your progress.

Year of the Cat FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Year of the Cat in Vietnamese Zodiac.

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While Christmas in Vietnam may not look exactly the same as it does in other parts of the world, it is still a time of joy. From festive parties and events to the exchange of gifts with loved ones, there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit in Vietnam.

So, if you are planning on spending the holiday season in Vietnam, here is a guide to help you make the most of the festive season.

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7 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Vietnam

In Vietnam, Christmas is mostly celebrated in urban areas and is seen as a time to have fun with friends and family. It is not a public holiday, so most businesses and schools remain open.

1. Attend a Christmas Party or Event

One of the most popular ways to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam is attending holiday-themed parties. In Vietnam’s bustling cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi where the nightlife is always lively, and this is especially true during the holiday season.

At these events, you can expect to find live music, delicious food, and fun games and activities. Whether you are looking to dance the night away or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere, these events are a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Some Christmas events hosted by luxury hotels and resorts in Vietnam are quite costly and require reservations in advance. For example, a Christmas Eve Dinner or a Christmas Day Brunch at Hotel Metropole Hanoi can cost $150 to $250 per person.

However, there are events that are open to the public in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s Bui Vien Street, so you can easily join in the celebration.

2. Decorate the house

While Christmas decorations may not be as widespread in Vietnam as they are in other parts of the world, they are still a fun and enjoyable way to get into the holiday spirit.

Many people decorate their homes for Christmas by setting up a Christmas tree and decorating with lights and ornaments. String lights and wreaths made of evergreen branches are also classic Christmas decorations.

So, if you are celebrating Christmas in Vietnam, consider adding some festive touches to your home and spreading the holiday cheer.

3. Exchange Gifts

Giving gifts is a way to show your appreciation and affection for the people you care about, and it is a tradition that is enjoyed by many during the holiday season.

If you are looking for gift ideas for your friends and family in Vietnam, consider giving something special and thoughtful. Chocolates, sweets, wine, and champagne are always popular choices, as are toys and games for children.

Clothing and accessories, such as scarves, hats, and gloves, can also make great gifts, especially during the colder months. Personalized gifts, such as photo albums or custom-made artwork, can also be a meaningful and heartfelt way to show your love and appreciation.

4. Enjoy a Christmas feast

While there are no traditional Vietnamese dishes that are specifically associated with Christmas, it is still fun to enjoy a festive feast during the holiday season. Many restaurants and cafes in Vietnam offer special Christmas menus and deals, so be sure to check out the options and indulge in some holiday cheer.

Because there are many tourists and ex-pats in Vietnam, you will find that many western restaurants be serving popular holiday-themed dishes like roast turkey, ham, roast potatoes, and mince pies. You can also find a variety of holiday-themed desserts, such as Christmas cakes, cookies, and puddings during Christmas in Vietnam at western restaurants.

In addition to traditional Christmas dishes, many restaurants and cafes in Vietnam also offer festive drinks. These can include seasonal cocktails, hot chocolate, and other special treats. So, if you are looking to celebrate Christmas with a delicious feast, be sure to check out the options and enjoy some holiday cheer.

5. Spend time in the Church

For Christians in Vietnam, celebrating Christmas Eve at church is an important and beloved tradition. On this special occasion, local churches are often bustling with visitors.

The evening typically begins with a special Christmas Eve service, which is a time for worshippers to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This service can include a variety of elements, such as worship songs, readings from the Bible, and sermons.

Some of the most popular and well-known churches in Vietnam to celebrate Christmas are:

⛪St. Joseph’s Cathedral – Hanoi

St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a historic church located in the capital city of Hanoi, Vietnam. Constructed in 1886, it was one of the first churches built by the French in Vietnam and has played a significant role in the city’s history. The church is located at 40 Nha Chung street in the Hoan Kiem district, just to the west of Hoan Kiem Lake, and is a popular tourist attraction.

Visitors to St. Joseph’s Cathedral can enter the church for free, making it a budget-friendly attraction for travelers. If you are interested in history, architecture, or religion, this church is a must-see destination when visiting Hanoi.

⛪Chicken Church – Da Nang City

Chicken Church, also known as Da Nang Cathedral or Pink Church, is a historic church located in the city of Da Nang in Vietnam. It is one of the many churches built by the French during their colonization of Vietnam and is known for its distinctive pink exterior.

Chicken Church is a popular tourist attraction in Da Nang and is a great place to visit during the holiday season, especially during Christmas. The church is a beautiful architectural work and offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.

⛪Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral – Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a historic church located in the Paris Commune Square in the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the most well-known sites in the city and is a popular destination for Vietnamese and foreign Christians, as well as local residents.

During Christmas, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is a particularly popular destination for tourists. Visitors can attend religious services, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn more about the history of the church. If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday season, be sure to add Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral to your list of must-see attractions.

6. Visit a Christmas Market

Christmas markets are becoming more and more popular during Christmas in Vietnam, especially in urban cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These markets are great places to find all sorts of festive items, including decorations, gifts, and food.

Christmas markets are typically held throughout the month of December in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 and 2. There, you can find a wide range of holiday-themed items, such as Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. You can also find a variety of gifts, including chocolates, toys, clothing, and other special items.

7. Spend time with loved ones

Above all, Christmas is a time to be with the people you love and to celebrate the joy and happiness of the holiday season. No matter how you choose to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam, it is important to take the time to enjoy each other’s company and create special memories.

Whether you are with your family, friends, or significant other, make an effort to spend quality time together and appreciate the bond you share. You can do this by spending time together at home, attending festive events and activities, or simply enjoying each other’s company over a special meal.

Christmas in Vietnam FAQs

The Wrap-Up: Christmas in Vietnam

While Christmas may not be a traditional holiday in Vietnam, it has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among young people in urban areas.

There are many ways to celebrate Christmas in Vietnam, including attending festive events and parties, exchanging gifts with loved ones, and enjoying special meals.

If you are spending Christmas in Vietnam, don’t forget to check out the bustling nightlife in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. While there are no Vietnamese traditional dishes associated with Christmas, you will find plenty of fascinating seasonal cocktails to satisfy your taste buds!

I hope you embrace the joy and celebration of Christmas in Vietnam and make it a holiday season to remember!

In this article, I will walk you through the best of Vietnam’s nightlife gems and show you why these top Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh nightlife places are adored by locals, ex-pats, and tourists!

🛎️🏨How CHEAP can LUXURY be? Check out these 5-star hotels and resorts in Vietnam with affordable price tags and learn about the common scams to watch out for!

Is Vietnam Good for Nightlife?

Vietnam is one of the best destinations for those looking for fun at night. There is a huge variety of entertainment options, including bars, clubs, discos, and cultural performances. The cost of going out in Vietnam is very reasonable, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much money on a good time. The culture is so welcoming that if you don’t have a big group to go out with, you’ll find yourself making new friends in no time.

Which places have the best nightlife in Vietnam?

It’s not easy to name one city that has the best nightlife in Vietnam because every place will give you a different vibe and experience. In beach towns like Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne, you will find relaxed bars and lounges along the beach. In Hoi An ancient town, you will find trendy bistros, live music bars, and folklore entertainment performances along the riverside. However, if you seek the most diverse experiences, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have the most offerings for you to choose from!

Which is better: Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife or Hanoi Nightlife?

Ho Chi Minh City has long been known for its bustling nightlife, but Hanoi has recently upped its game. Both cities have their unique offerings, and although I enjoy the rooftop bars and vibrant vibe of Ho Chi Minh City nightlife, I slightly favor Hanoi more for its hidden bars and delicacy in craft cocktail flavors.

Nightlife in Hanoi, Vietnam: Best Bars, Clubs & Activities

In contrast to the noisy and somewhat chaotic Hanoi in the daytime, Hanoi at night brings in a charming and romantic beauty. In this list, you will find a mix of the top 10 Hanoi nightlife spots.

1. Bee’Znees 1920s – Speakeasy Bar

Bee’Znees is a speakeasy bar hidden behind a vintage reading room at 163 Phung Hung Street. You will have to find a clue on the bookshelf in order to open the door and head upstairs to the 1920s-theme bar. I could tell you how to get in, but I have decided not to because I don’t want to rip you off that fun experience trying to figure it out on your own! Every time I took a new group of friends there, it was always hilarious seeing them scrambling and looking for clues. They all said it was the best part!

I’m not actually a big fan of Bee’Znees’ drinks (there are other bars that I go to for the gastronomic experience and I will show you below), but Bee’Znees is a great place to hit up with friends. You can order a Tequila Roullette set for a fun drinking game. Roll the dice to see what number it ends on the Roulette, and you will get a different flavored tequila.

Best for: Group of Friends.

2. Nê Boongke – Bar with Food-inspired Cocktails

Nê Boongke was opened by Vietnam’s World Class Bartender Winner in 2012 – Pham Tien Tiep. He is famous for crafting signature cocktails that are inspired by Northern Vietnamese dishes. The most popular cocktail at Nê Boongke (also my all-time favorite) is “Pho”, which surprisingly has a very distinctive taste and aroma that resembles the national dish.

If you haven’t tried “Pho”, I’d suggest you eat that first before trying the cocktail in order to appreciate the cocktail flavor. Pho is a Vietnamese soup made of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and different cuts of beef. It is a popular food in households, street stalls, and restaurants throughout Vietnam – really is a must-try dish. You will be surprised how the “Pho” cocktail resembles the dish. It is really mind-blowing!

Nê Boongke always knows how to spice it up with seasonal drinks that resemble Vietnamese dishes. So who knows, maybe they will come up with a “banh mi” inspired cocktail on your visit!

Best nightlife spot in Hanoi for: Drinkers who appreciate the creativity of craft cocktails

3. Unicorn – Themed Bar with Live Music

Unicorn Bar is also one of my favorite nightlife spots in Hanoi. It is a themed bar about the roaring 20s and it typically has live music on the weekends. Unicorn offers a mix of creative craft cocktails infused with local ingredients, including a Pho cocktail and other cocktails inspired by Vietnamese staple snacks such as Omai and Young Rice.

Best nightlife spot in Hanoi for: Drinkers looking for creative cocktails, a nice theme, and live music

4. Old Quarter Area – Night Markets and Bars

Hanoi Weekend Night Market serves as a bustling, lively gathering of street stalls and local food vendors every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from around 7:00 pm onward. It starts from Hang Dao Street and runs through the Old Quarter to Dong Xuan Market. I usually get off the taxi at Trang Tien Plaza and walk my way up the Old Quarter Night Markets, then end on the other side of the lake at Apricot Hotel or Hanoi Opera House to catch a taxi home.

Many locals and tourists are drawn to the old quarter at night because the pedestrian streets and historical sites around Hoan Kiem Lake are illuminated with lights, making it an ideal place to take pictures. Shopping-wise, you can find many Vietnamese souvenirs and international brand knock-offs at a cheap price.

5. Metropole Le Club Bar – Hotel Bar

Metropole Le Club Bar offers Hanoi’s legendary cocktail lounge experience, overlooking a beautiful hotel garden courtyard. Where Le Club now stands used to be the former Metropole Hall, the venue that hosted the first gala meeting of the Nouvelle Entreprise Cinématographique and the first movie ever shown in Indo-China in 1916. There is live jazz music every weekend from 8:00 PM to 11:45 PM!

6. Sa Pa Love Market – Casual Traditional Vietnamese Highland Style

Sa Pa Love Market in Hanoi is a casual drinking spot with the theme of a love market in Sapa. Sa Pa’s love market has been a unique and valuable aspect of the culture of the Mong and Dao ethnic groups for a long time. On Saturday nights, guys and girls from all villages come to Sa Pa to meet one another. They talk, sing and play different games according to their ethnic groups’ tradition. The night brings couples together and many of them become husbands and wives in the spring. That’s why it is called a Love Market!

When you hang out at Sa Pa Love Market in Hanoi, you will get a feel of the architecture and vibe of Sa Pa while tasting some of the best traditional food and drinks of the highland.

7. Hai Xom Beer Restaurant – Authentic Vietnam Drinking Style

Hai Xom is a favorite drinking spot for many Vietnamese men after work, so you will see that it is very crowded at night around 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The signature drink here is the steam beer, which is a fresh beer that has a lower alcohol concentration than the average standard, about 4.5 degrees. It is brewed by bottom-fermenting lager yeasts at ale temperatures, resulting in a distinct flavor. Service at Hai Xom is not particularly great (mainly because it is too crowded and the staff can’t be too attentive), but rest assured that their craft beer, drinking food, and Vietnamese street food-style tapas are amazing!

8. Bia Hoi Corner – Hanoi Nightlife Spor for Backpackers

Bia Hoi Corner or Bia Hoi Junction is one of the most popular destinations for young locals and foreign tourists. It is an area from the beginning of Ta Hien Street to the intersection of this street and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street. As the night falls, small bars and cheap beer shops in this area will bring plastic chairs and tables out to the street. The peak time is around 10:00 PM to midnight when it would seem so crowded that you may think there are no seats available. Don’t worry, just ask any host and they will bring more tables and chairs out for you!

9. 1900 Le Theatre – Fun Night Club

Located on Hanoi’s non-sleeping street towards one end of Bia Hoi Junction, 1900 Le Theatre bar has been a popular hangout spot for young people thanks to its good mix of DJs playing house, EDM, and hip hop. It has a huge dance floor and a stage where it hosts many sexy dance shows throughout the week. The club stands on the ground of the old Quang Lac theatre (meaning spreading joy) that collapsed over a century ago.

10. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Vietnamese Water Puppet is a unique art originating from the Red River Delta of Vietnam in the tenth century. It was a form of celebration for the people in this area post-harvesting.

Water puppetry was created by farmers who spent their days in flooded rice fields. They discovered that the water provided an excellent medium for puppetry since it concealed the puppeteers’ rod and string mechanisms as well as created exciting effects like waves and splashes. Watching a water puppetry show is a great way for you to learn about day-to-day living in rural Vietnam.

Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Vietnam

Whether you are looking for a glitzy and glamorous nightlife or a chill evening in a rooftop bar, Ho Chi Minh City won’t disappoint.

11. Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Street is a popular walking promenade right in District 1 city center. Along the street, there are multiple cafés, restaurants, bars, but that’s not all. In the alleys along the street, you will find some street food stalls and more hidden valleys that lead to the entrances of restaurants and dessert shops on the higher floors with a view of the walking street.

Although vehicles are only stopped from entering Nguyen Hue Street during Saturday and Sunday evenings, there is a walking block in the middle of Nguyen Hue Street that is open daily.

12. Bui Vien Drinking Street/International Crossroads

Bui Vien, also known as the International Crossroads, is located on De Tham, Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, and Do Quang Dau streets in District 1. This popular nightlife spot is known as the backpacker area or Western area because there is a large number of tourists that come here from Western countries.

Here, you will find a wide variety of inexpensive restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and hostels. In addition, there are street artists that perform nightly. The area is more spread out so it feels less crowded than Bia Hoi Junction in Hanoi. Many restaurants and bars offer happy hours between 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, and the area starts getting lively after that.

13. Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the first addresses that come to mind of Vietnamese young people when choosing a hangout spot after dark. This is a place to gather, drink lemon tea or “sitting down coffee”, munch some snacks, and watch the busy Saigon.

It is called “sitting down coffee” at Notre Dame Cathedral because when you buy a cup of coffee, you will be given a newspaper to sit down by the garden.

14. Glow Rooftop Lounge – Skybar Saigon

Glow is a trendy rooftop sky bar that has gained massive popularity amongst expats and trendy locals since its establishment in 2015. Right from the moment when the staff greets you at the entrance of the building, you will feel like an exclusive guest. There is a host that will take you to the elevator and press the floor for you, then another host will take care of you as soon as you get to the rooftop.  

Glow Skybar offers expansive views of Ho Chi Minh City’s modern and colonial architecture, so prepare to take your camera out! Pricewise, Glow is on the high-end side, and the drinks cost between VND 130,000 and 300,000.

Although this is one of my favorite nightlife spots in Ho Chi Minh City, I don’t really recommend it during the rainy season. The rooftop bar is completely outside, so when the rain hits, the wind and the altitude make it feel very cold. If you plan to visit Glow Skybar during the rainy season, make sure you check the weather beforehand!

15. Chill Sky Bar

Chill Skybar is another rooftop hangout spot in Ho Chi Minh City, located on the 25^th floor of the AB tower. It offers quite a different vibe from Glow Skybar. After 10:00 PM, the bar turns into a club and you pay a cover charge to enter. The cover charge includes one drink, and of course, you can buy more at the bar.  

There are both indoor lounge as well as outdoor area so you don’t have to worry about the rain. They do have a strict dress code here, so make sure you don’t wear flip-flops.

16. Dinner Cruise on Saigon River

Dinner Cruise on Saigon River is one of the most luxurious dining experiences in Ho Chi Minh City. You can enjoy dinner over a 2-hour cruise and admire the city’s riverside sights.

The multi-course meal is provided by a 5-star executive chef and planned by an experienced culinary director. There is also live music on board as you cruise past some of the most popular landmarks such as Vinhomes Central Park, Vinhome Golden River, Landmark 81, and the Bitexco Tower.

17. Qui Bar – Cuisine – Mixology

Cuisine Mixology is a concept of dining lounge. Qui has the vibe of an upscale bar, but you can enjoy dinners here. Located right on the crowded Le Thanh Ton street of District 1 and very close to little Japantown, Qui Bar is favored by many locals and expats.

18. Carmen Bar – Live Music Venue

Carmen Bar is a live music venue that features Spanish-speaking singers performing Flamenco songs with a Vietnamese band. The vibe of this bar reminds me of my experience in Cuba. Although the drinks are a bit more expensive to cover the entertainment charge, it’s not exorbitant.

19. Alley 8 – Casual Vietnamese Street Food & Drinks

One of the Alley 8 addresses was close to my office in Ho Chi Minh City and I passed by it almost every day. I had always been wondering while it was so crowded and popular, till one try made me become a regular here. Alley 8 offers a wide range of Northern Vietnamese drinking food and tapas with an accent of the Southern cooking style, making it extremely delicious. It is a great casual spot for eating and drinking with friends before hitting the disco!

20. Saigon Opera House

Saigon Opera House has a special architecture, bearing the Gothic style that was prevalent in France at the end of the 19th century. The opera house specializes in organizing and performing various shows such as drama, music, Vietnamese opera, and so on. After watching the show, you can go around the theater to check in and admire the landscape.

Key Takeaways: Vietnam Nightlife – Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City Nightlife

On your trip to Vietnam, you might be wondering where and how to spend the evenings. Even though many tourist hotspots like Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, and Da Nang have become more and more active after dark, it’s hard to beat Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for the best vibrant nightlife in Vietnam.

Both of these big cities offer incredible experiences at night so it wasn’t easy to pick out a shortlist of favorites, but I hope my top 10 picks for nightlife hotspots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will help you narrow down and find the fun you are looking for!

In this blog post, we will compare Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year and dive into the differences to understand why it’s important to be culturally sensitive and accurate in our language.

But before that, let’s consider the following analogy: Can you call a Christian a Catholic? Is the United Kingdom England?

The term “Christian” refers to someone who follows a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Catholicism is a specific denomination within Christianity, so a person who is Catholic is also a Christian. However, it is not accurate to refer to all Christians as Catholics because there are many other denominations within Christianity, such as Protestantism, Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism, among others.

It is also not accurate to say that the United Kingdom is England. The United Kingdom is a sovereign country that consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England is just one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom, so it is not the same as the United Kingdom as a whole.

So, just like a Christian is not the same as a Catholic, and the United Kingdom is not the same as England, Lunar New Year is not the same as Chinese New Year!

🔮Curious what 2023 holds for you? Uncover your fate with the Animal Zodiac 2023 Horoscope predictions tailored to your unique zodiac sign now!

Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year: Definition

Lunar New Year is a festival based on the first day of the new year in the lunisolar calendar – a calendar based on cycles of the Moon’s phases and the sun’s position. It is widely celebrated in Asia, including China, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.

Chinese New Year is only one festival under the umbrella term of Lunar New Year and refers to the celebration specific to Chinese culture. While Lunar New Year is widely celebrated by countries in Asia, Chinese New Year is only observed in China and celebrated by Chinese people. 

It is important to recognize that Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are not interchangeable terms, as using Chinese New Year to refer to the holiday celebrated by other cultures beyond China can be disrespectful and dismissive of their traditions.

In summary, while many Asian countries observe Lunar New Year, they do not celebrate Chinese New Year. It is crucial to respect and acknowledge the diversity of cultural practices and to use language that accurately reflects these differences.

Lunar New Year Traditions: Vietnamese New Year vs. Chinese New Year vs. Korean New Year

Lunar New Year is known by different names in different cultures – such as Tết in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, and Spring Festival in China. In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the specific traditions of Lunar New Year as celebrated by the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean cultures to see their differences.

1. Vietnamese New Year – Tết nguyên đán

In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tết nguyên đán, also known as the Tet Holiday. One week prior to Lunar New Year’s Eve, Vietnamese families pay respect to the Kitchen God – a deity who is believed to reside in every family’s kitchen and protect the household – by making offerings on the altar and releasing koi fish into nearby lakes and rivers.

This tradition is said to “help” the Kitchen God return to Heaven, where he will report to the Jade Emperor. This ritual is an important part of the Tet Holiday and serves as a way for Vietnamese families to honor their ancestors and seek blessings for the coming year.

During Tet, the preparation of Banh Chung is a significant tradition in the northern countryside. This dish, made from rice, mung beans, and meat wrapped in banana leaves, requires the participation of every family member, from washing the rice to cooking the mung beans and boiling the meat.

The process can take anywhere from 10 to 17 hours, depending on the size of the pot and the number of Banh Chung being prepared. It is common for family members to take turns keeping watch over the fire overnight as the Banh Chung cooks.

🍚🥢Eat your way to Good Luck this Lunar New Year 2023 with this tasty guide of 15 Must-Try Vietnamese Tet Foods!

In addition to preparing traditional foods like Banh Chung, Vietnamese families also carefully consider the zodiac sign of the first person to enter their home on the first day of Tet. This individual is believed to have a significant impact on the family’s luck and fortune for the entire year, making the selection of this person a careful and deliberate process.

For example, if the first visitor has an unlucky zodiac sign that year, or if his sign is incompatible with that of the host, it is believed to bring bad luck to the host family. Let’s say, if the host’s zodiac sign is the rat, he may not want to welcome someone with the zodiac sign of the cat as the first person to enter his home.

Another enduring tradition of the Lunar New Year holiday celebrated in Vietnam is the practice of going to see a calligraphy master to obtain red paper calligraphy letters or couplets. These papers are believed to bring luck and help fulfill wishes when hung in the home.

Many Vietnamese families continue to observe this tradition, heading to the calligraphy master during the first few days of the holiday to request specific letters, such as Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Wealth), Tho (Long Life), Duc (Virtue), Tri (Knowledge), or Tai (Talent). The red paper calligraphy is seen as an important way to start the new year off on a positive note and bring blessings to the household.

🧧Ready to learn more about the fascinating traditions of Tết, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration? Discover the rich cultural history and customs of Vietnamese New Year here!

2. Chinese New Year Celebration/Spring Festival – 春节

In China, the Lunar New Year holiday is known as Chūnjié, or the Spring Festival. According to legend, a monster called Nian (meaning “Year”) would attack villages at the beginning of each new year, and the Chinese people would use loud noises, bright lights, and red decorations to scare it away.

These traditions have carried on to the present day, with Chinese people continuing to set off firecrackers and adorn their homes and public spaces with red lanterns and spring couplets. Other common celebrations during the Spring Festival include joining nighttime parades and watching lion dances, which are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

In addition to these specific traditions, Chinese people also observe many of the common customs associated with Lunar New Year, such as exchanging gifts, decorating homes, and enjoying special foods. Overall, the Spring Festival is a time for Chinese people to come together with loved ones, honor their ancestors, and embrace the promise of a prosperous new year.

3. Korean New Year – Seollal

In Korea, Lunar New Year is referred to as Seollal or Korean New Year. One of the central traditions of this holiday is the performance of “sebae”, a ritual bow that is traditionally performed by younger people to wish their elders a happy new year.

This ritual involves bowing deeply while wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing, and placing both hands on the ground. The elders, in turn, offer their wishes for the younger and present them with lucky money as a reward for their show of respect.

The act of sebae is an important way for Korean people to demonstrate their reverence for their elders and to honor the traditional hierarchy of Korean society. It is also a way for younger people to express their gratitude and seek blessings for the coming year.

Common Lunar New Year Traditions and Activities

Despite the various cultural differences in the way that Lunar New Year is celebrated, there are several traditions and activities that are commonly observed across many cultures. Whether it’s the exchange of gifts, the decoration of homes, or the coming together of loved ones, these traditions are an integral part of the celebration of Lunar New Year.

1. Cleaning and Decorating the House

Cleaning and decorating the home before a major holiday is a common practice in many cultures, but it holds particular significance in the context of the Lunar New Year celebrations in China and Vietnam.

In China, the tradition of cleaning the house before the new year is believed to be rooted in the idea that bad luck is attached to dirt, and that sweeping it away can help to usher in a fresh start and bring good fortune for the coming year.

On the other hand, in Vietnam, people thoroughly clean the house before Lunar New Year because they believe good luck sticks to dirt! They refrain from sweeping or disposing of dirt after Lunar New Year Day as it is believed to sweep away good luck and fortune for the entire year, so a thorough cleanse before the holiday is necessary.

2. Return home for Reunion Dinner

As one of the longest public holidays observed in many parts of Asia, Lunar New Year is a time for families to reunite. For those who live and work far from home, this holiday is often an opportunity to make the journey back and reconnect with loved ones.

The importance of this family reunion is reflected in the cultural customs surrounding the holiday, such as the last dinner of the year, which is often considered to be the most significant meal of the year.

3. Serving Special Lunar New Year Food

The celebration of Lunar New Year is often marked by a big feast, as families come together to enjoy the holiday and share special foods. In addition to staple dishes, many families will prepare or purchase traditional foods that are only served during this time of year.

For example, in Vietnam, some popular Tet dishes include Banh Chung, a type of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with pork filling and mung bean spread; Gio Lua, a Vietnamese sausage made from ground pork, fish sauce, and black pepper; and a whole boiled rooster decorated with a red rose in its mouth, which symbolizes luck, fullness, and well-being.

In China, popular lucky foods for the Lunar New Year include steam fish, which symbolizes prosperity, dumplings, which symbolize wealth, and longevity noodles, which are believed to bring happiness and long life.

Overall, the sharing of special foods is an important part of the celebration of Lunar New Year and a way for families to come together and embrace the promise of a new year filled with good fortune and prosperity.

4. Worshipping Ancestors and Deceased Family Members

In many Asian cultures, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors and deceased family members come home to join in the celebration of Lunar New Year. In order to honor and welcome these spirits, families will often prepare offerings on the altar, such as food, incense, and other items of significance.

The incense is also typically kept burning throughout the holiday in order to maintain a connection with the ancestors and deceased loved ones. This tradition is an important way for families to pay respect to their ancestors and to honor the spiritual aspects of the Lunar New Year celebration. It is also a way for families to come together and remember those who have passed on, and to keep their memories alive as they celebrate the new year.

5. Giving Lucky Money in Envelopes to Children and/or Elders

Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together and exchange gifts, with a particular emphasis on the giving of lucky money. In Vietnam and China, it is traditional to give lucky money in red envelopes, as red is believed to be a lucky color. In Korea, on the other hand, lucky money is often given in white envelopes, which symbolize purity.

In some families, younger people will also give lucky money to their elders in order to show respect and wish them good health. The exchange of lucky money is an important part of the Lunar New Year celebration in many cultures, and it is a way for people to come together and embrace the promise of good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.

6. Visiting the Pagoda

In many Asian cultures, it is a longstanding tradition to visit the pagoda and pay respects to Buddha and the gods during the celebration of Lunar New Year. This is a time for people to come together, offer prayers and make wishes for the coming year.

Different cultures may have different ways of praying, such as writing down wishes and hanging them on a wishing tree, whispering quietly, or chanting with rhythm. Regardless of the specific method, the act of visiting the pagoda during Lunar New Year is an important custom that is shared across many cultures, and it is a way for people to seek blessings for a healthy and happy year ahead.

7. Associate Lunar Year with a Zodiac Animal

One common tradition that is associated with the celebration of Lunar New Year is the use of the animal zodiac, which is based on a 12-year cycle and assigns a specific animal to each year. This zodiac system is used widely throughout Asia and beyond, and it is believed to have a strong influence on people’s personalities and characteristics.

• In Vietnam, the 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Water Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In China, Singapore, and Korea, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In Japan, the 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

Many Asian cultures believe that a lunar year is associated with a zodiac animal sign and an element (metal, earth, wood, fire, water). These animal zodiac signs and elements will have an influence on the personalities, careers, love, and fortune of each person. However, since each culture has its own assignment and interpretations of the elements and zodiac signs, the traditions associated with the signs will vary.

 👉 Learn more about the significance and meaning of the Year of the Cat/Rabbit in 2023 here!

Personalities and Traits of 12 Animal Zodiac Signs

People born in the year of the Rat: lively, active, hard-working, adaptable, creative, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Ox or Buffalo: diligent, cautious, principled, and dependable

People born in the year of the Tiger: charming, attractive, lucky, energetic, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Cat (in Vietnamese Zodiac) or Rabbit (in Chinese Zodiac): clever, considerate, diplomatic, elegant, kind, and responsible.

People born in the year of the Dragon: resourceful, ambitious, successful, and powerful

People born in the year of the Snake: intelligent, analytical with a strong interest in philosophy and self-development but have high egos and don’t want to admit their faults

People born in the year of the Horse: straightforward, agile, and resourceful with very good communication skills and kindness

People born in the year of the Goat: loving, caring, and sympathetic

People born in the year of the Monkey: humorous, adaptable, agile, attractive, and frivolous

People born in the year of the Rooster: mature. sincere, and gentle

People born in the year of the Dog: very intelligent, loyal, dedicated, and responsible

People born in the year of the Pig: generous, gullible, and lucky

Travelling in Asia during Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is one of the best times to visit Asia, but it honestly could also be the worst if you are not prepared. It is such a hit or miss, because while you can soak up the festive atmosphere and learn so much about the culture one day, you may find yourself lost and confused when everything is closed the next days!

Since it is the biggest national public holiday in most Asian countries, you will see that many restaurants, shops, spas, and museums are closed, not for one day, but for multiple days after New Year’s Eve. You could also be stranded in a city and find no way out because all airplanes, trains, buses, and taxis are booked as people try to get home for family gatherings.

But don’t be discouraged! If you love immersing in a different culture and trying authentic special food, Lunar New Year presents an amazing opportunity. You will just have to put a bit more work into the planning and prepare yourself mentally before going. Here are a few things you should be mindful of:

1. Book transportations and accommodations in advance
2. Budget a bit more to accommodate for the raised costs caused by high demands
3. Expect some long lines and arrive early (especially the days right before and after Lunar New Year)
4. Check opening times of the places of interest you want to visit
5. Be open-minded and have fun!

Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year FAQs

The Wrap Up: Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year

As we have explored, Lunar New Year is a celebration that is celebrated by many different cultures throughout Asia, each with their own unique traditions and customs. While it is often mistakenly referred to as “Chinese New Year,” it is important to recognize that Chinese New Year is specific to the celebration of this holiday in China and among people of Chinese heritage.

Using the term “Chinese New Year” to refer to Lunar New Year as celebrated by other cultures can be perceived as insensitive, ignorant, or even rude, as it denies the traditions and celebrations of those cultures.

It is important to recognize the diversity and richness of the Lunar New Year holiday and to use inclusive and respectful language when discussing it. Whether you are planning to visit Asia during this holiday or simply want to learn more about the customs and traditions of different cultures, it is always helpful to do some extra planning and to come prepared with an open and respectful attitude.

It is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and participate in traditional customs and rituals that are deeply rooted in the country’s culture and history. From the bustling Tet markets to the traditional lion dances and colorful decorations, there is plenty to see and experience during this festive time.

However, if you’re not familiar with Tet and come to the country without proper preparation, it can be confusing to find everything closed for a week or frustrating to be stuck in a town when all the transportation tickets are sold out.

🍚🥢Eat your way to Good Luck with this tasty guide of 15 Must-Try Vietnamese New Year Tet Foods!

In your search to understand Vietnamese New Year traditions, you may have noticed that many guides on Vietnamese New Year or Tet Nguyen Dan out there are written by non-Vietnamese individuals. While these guides may provide useful information on the holiday, they may lack the depth and authenticity of understanding that can only come from someone who has personally experienced and celebrated Tet for years.

That’s why I am proud to share with you this guide, capturing my experiences and knowledge from celebrating Tet every year of my life. My aim is to provide a more authentic and comprehensive understanding of the holiday, including its customs, traditions, and cultural significance.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Vietnam during Tet or simply want to learn more about this special holiday, this guide will give you all the information you need to fully appreciate the traditions and customs of the Vietnamese New Year.

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and the full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, but that does not affect any of my evaluations. If you do decide to make a purchase, I’d appreciate it if do so through my affiliate links to support my blog and enable me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

🧧 Vietnam and Other Asian Countries Do Not Celebrate Chinese New Year. ➡Learn more about Chinese New Year vs Lunar New Year.

What Date is the Vietnamese New Year?

The Vietnamese New Year is a holiday that marks the start of a new year in the lunar calendar, which is determined by the monthly cycles of the moon’s phases. As a result, the Lunar New Year in Vietnam typically falls on a different date every year and does not align with the universal New Year’s Day of January 1st in the solar calendar.

When is the Vietnamese New Year 2023?

Vietnamese New Year 2023 will take place on January 22nd, 2023. While the exact date of the Vietnamese New Year may vary from year to year due to the differences between the dates in the lunar calendar and the solar calendar, it typically falls between mid-January and late February.

☀️Don’t think you can make it to Vietnam during Tet? Check out the other best times to visit Vietnam!

How long does the Vietnamese New Year celebration last?

Vietnamese New Year or Tet’s preparation starts one week before year-end in the lunar calendar and the celebration can last for several days after New Year’s Eve. The whole preparation and celebration can be divided into three periods, known as Tất Niên (Before New Year’s Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve), and Tân Niên (New Year’s Day and the following day).

🔮Ready to discover what 2023 holds for you? Uncover your fate with the Vietnamese Zodiac 2023 Horoscope predictions tailored to your unique zodiac sign now!

21 Vietnamese New Year Traditions

As we prepare to celebrate Vietnamese New Year, or Tết, it’s helpful to understand the various traditions that are an integral part of this holiday. Beginning on the 23rd of the lunar December and leading up to the New Year, there are many customs and rituals that are observed.

Let’s take a closer look at 21 of the most popular Vietnamese New Year traditions in chronological order. From the preparation of traditional foods and the cleaning and decorating of the home, to gift-giving and participating in cultural activities, these traditions are sure to add meaning and joy to your Tết celebrations.

1. Releasing koi fish on the 23rd of December in the Lunar Calendar

Vietnamese New Year, Tet Holiday, or Tet Festival, officially kicks off one week before the Lunar New Year’s Day, when the tradition of praying to the Kitchen God, or Ông Táo, is observed.

According to Vietnamese belief, each household has a god in the kitchen who protects the family and observes their behavior. On the 23rd of the last lunar month (December), the Kitchen God is said to return to heaven on the back of a carp (fish) to report to the Jade Emperor.

To assist in this journey, Vietnamese families make offerings to the altar and release koi fish into nearby lakes and rivers. This tradition is a way for families to honor the Kitchen God and seek blessings for the entire year.

2. Cleaning the House

One of the most important traditions leading up to Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, is the thorough cleaning of the home. This is a time when families put in extra effort to make their homes sparkle and shine, as it is believed that the spirits of deceased family members will visit during the holiday. In order to welcome these spirits and show respect, it is important to have a clean altar filled with food, flowers, and incense.

Another reason why many Vietnamese families spend a lot of time and energy on properly cleaning the house before Tet is because, during the first three days of the Lunar New Year, sweeping is avoided as it is believed that luck would stick to the dirt and be swept away along with it.

3. Shopping for New Year’s Tree

Shopping for a New Year’s Tree is a beloved tradition during the Tet Festival in Vietnam. Around the 26th of the last lunar month, markets across the country become flooded with a variety of decorative trees, including apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, and kumquat trees. These trees are popular choices for decorating the living room in the north of Vietnam, while the yellow Mai flower is a popular choice in the central and south of the country.

If you visit Vietnam a few days before Lunar New Year’s Eve, you’ll likely see many pots of trees lined up on the sidewalks, with people stopping by on mopeds to negotiate deals with sellers. If a deal is settled, the seller will often help strap the tree to the back of the buyer’s moped for transport. Once the tree is brought home, Vietnamese families will typically decorate it with gold and red items to symbolize fertility and prosperity.

4. Wrapping Banh Chung – Chung Cake

In most of Northern Vietnam’s countryside, the tradition of wrapping Banh Chung remains an important part of Tet celebrations. This traditional dish is made by preparing rice, mung beans, and boiled meat, and then wrapping them in banana leaves. The process of preparing Banh Chung typically involves the participation of all family members, who work together to wash the rice, cook the mung beans, and boil the meat.

Cooking Banh Chung can be a time-consuming process, taking anywhere from 10 to 17 hours depending on the size of the pot and the number of Banh Chung being cooked at the same time. It is common for family members to take turns keeping watch over the fire overnight to ensure that all the cakes are cooked properly. This tradition is a way for families to come together and bond while preparing for the Tet holiday.

5. Stocking up on Supplies

During the Tet holiday, most markets and food stalls in Vietnam are closed, so it is important for families to stock up on supplies beforehand. Two popular items to have on hand are Banh Chung and Gio, as these traditional dishes can stay fresh for several days. These foods are often prepared and stored in advance of Tet to ensure that there is enough for everyone to enjoy during the holiday.

In addition to Banh Chung and Gio, we also stock up on other non-perishable items, such as rice, cooking oil, and other pantry staples. This way, families can have all of the necessary supplies on hand to prepare meals during the holiday and avoid the need to go out and shop.

6. Buying New Clothes

According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, it is important to start the new year with fresh, new clothes in order to rid oneself of any bad luck that may have accumulated during the previous year. This belief is based on the idea that the old year’s bad luck may cling to old clothes, and that by wearing new clothes, one can start the new year with a clean slate and look forward to a year filled with good luck and prosperity.

7. Paying Debts and Favor

According to Vietnamese tradition, it is considered bad luck to be in debt at the beginning of the Lunar New Year. As a result, most Vietnamese will make an effort to pay back any debts or favors to their friends and acquaintances before the year ends, in order to avoid starting the new year with a burden of debt.

This tradition is seen as a way to ensure that the new year starts off on a positive note and bring good luck for the year ahead. By paying off debts and returning favors, people can rid themselves of any negative energy and start the new year with a clean slate, ready to embrace all of the possibilities and opportunities that the year has to offer.

8. Decorating the house

Tet is not only a time for families to come together, but it is also an occasion for friends and relatives to visit one another. As a result, every family wants to decorate their home in the best possible condition to welcome guests.

In addition to buying New Year’s Trees, such as peach blossoms and kumquat trees, Vietnamese families will also decorate their homes with other long-lasting flowers, such as chrysanthemums and orchids.

9. Enjoying a Reunion Dinner

The last dinner of the lunar year is an extremely important occasion for family reunions during the Tet holiday. People who work and live far away that can’t make it home days before Tet will at least try to come home in time for the last meal of the year.

During this meal, families gather around the table to enjoy traditional Tet foods such as Banh Chung Cake, boiled whole chicken, pickled onions, and special soups. This is a time for loved ones to come together, catch up, and share in the joy and celebration of the holiday. It is an important tradition that helps to strengthen the bonds of family and bring people together.

10. Paying Homage to Ancestors

Since the Vietnamese believe that the spirits of ancestors and deceased family members return to visit during the Tet holiday, families prepare offerings on the altar and keep incense lit throughout the holiday to honor and welcome these spirits.

Along with traditional foods such as Banh Chung, Gio, and Cha, a five-fruit tray is a must-have item on the altar during Tet. Each fruit represents a different prayer for the future, such as green bananas, which symbolize family reunion, and yellow grapefruits, which represent a wish for peace and prosperity. Red dragon fruit is also a popular offering as it represents wealth and fortune.

In southern Vietnam, the selection of fruits for an offering may vary slightly. Popular choices include soursop (mãng cầu), fig (sung), coconut (dừa), papaya (đu đủ), and mango (xoài), as the combination of these fruits sounds like “cầu sung vừa đủ xài” (praying for enough resources/money to use) in the southern dialect of Vietnamese.

11. Setting off firecrackers and Watching Fireworks

In Vietnam, setting off firecrackers was a longstanding tradition during the Lunar New Year festival. The loud noises and cheer were believed to scare away evil spirits. However, due to the risk of fire, firecrackers were banned in Vietnam in the late 1990s.

In their place, fireworks organized officially by the government have become a more popular part of the lunar new year celebration. Many cities and towns in Vietnam now hold coordinated fireworks displays at designated locations, such as by the lakes and rivers.

12. Giving Lucky Money in Red Envelopes to Kids

Lunar New Year is a time of excitement for children, as they often receive “lucky money” – money that represents the hope for luck and prosperity. Children wear their new clothes and give their elders traditional Tet greetings before receiving the red envelopes filled with lucky money.

The amount of money given can vary, but it is usually between $1 and $20, depending on the relationship between the giver and the child’s parents and the giver’s generosity. In some families, younger people also give lucky money to the elderly as a way of showing respect and wishing them good health.

13. Choosing the First Visitor to Enter the House

Vietnamese believe that the first person to enter a home on Lunar New Year has a significant impact on the host’s fortune for the entire year. If this person is born under a lucky zodiac sign and has a successful career, it is thought that they will bring good luck to the host for the duration of the year.

As a result, families and individuals often try to carefully select the first person to enter their home on Lunar New Year. They may choose someone from within their family or friend group who is born under a lucky zodiac sign, with the belief that this will bring prosperity and wealth for the coming year.

If they are unable to find a suitable individual, some people may even leave their own home before midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve and then re-enter to ensure that the first person to enter the home is not undesirable.

14. Saying Vietnamese New Year Greetings

During the Vietnamese New Year celebration, it is common to see greeting signs everywhere, in public spaces such as streets, stores, and supermarkets. People will often greet each other, even strangers, with a big smile and the phrase “chúc mừng năm mới,” which translates to “happy new year”.

The phrase is made up of two parts: “chúc mừng,” which means “to celebrate,” and “năm mới,” which means “new year.” If you want to say happy new year in Vietnamese, try to make the sound like “chook moong nahm moi”!

15. Visiting the Pagoda

It is a longstanding tradition for Vietnamese people and pilgrims to visit pagodas and temples during the Lunar New Year celebration to pay respects to Buddha and the gods. While praying, many Vietnamese people, particularly those in Northern Vietnam, will recite their wishes with a rhythmic, chanting-like tone, almost like they are singing quietly.

16. Consulting fortune-tellers

A common practice during the Vietnamese New Year is drawing lots or consulting with fortune-tellers when visiting pagodas and temples. The lots, which are small slips of paper, contain a number or a short paragraph that is believed to predict the individual’s fortune for the coming year.

To interpret the message, people often seek the guidance of fortune-tellers, who are usually located at a corner of the pagoda or outside the gates. These fortune-tellers will typically provide an interpretation of the individual’s fortune, including any potential challenges or opportunities to watch out for in the coming year.

If an individual is told that their year is likely to be challenging due to their zodiac sign conflicting with the year’s zodiac sign, they may be advised to make additional offerings at the pagoda to seek protection from Buddha.

17. Requesting Calligraphy Characters

Calligraphy is the art of beautifully writing ancient characters using a pen brush. In ancient Vietnam, when the feudal system was in place, literature scholars and calligraphy masters were highly respected, and it was considered an honor to receive a sample of their writing.

Today, many Vietnamese people continue the tradition of seeking out calligraphy masters during the first days of the Lunar New Year to request letters or couplets written on red paper. It is believed that hanging these calligraphy red papers will bring luck and help fulfill wishes.

Some of the most popular requests for calligraphy letters include “Phuc” (Happiness), “Loc” (Wealth), “Tho” (Long Life), “Duc” (Virtue), “Tri” (Knowledge), and “Tai” (Talent).

18. Vietnamese New Year 1st Day: Visiting Paternal Family

In Vietnamese culture, there is an idiom that states: “The first day is the Father’s Tet, the second day is the Mother’s Tet, the third day is the Teacher’s Tet.” This phrase refers to the tradition of visiting extended family members on the first, second, and third days of the lunar new year, respectively.

On the first day of the new year, it is customary for Vietnamese people to visit the paternal side of the family and gather in the paternal family’s hometown (with the wife following the husband). This visit is an opportunity to pay respect to the paternal parents and ancestors.

19. Vietnamese New Year 2nd Day: Visiting Maternal Family

On the second day of the lunar new year, it is traditional for families to visit the maternal side of the family. This is the husband’s opportunity to visit his wife’s family and hometown. The activities during this visit are similar to those on the paternal side, including burning incense for ancestors, offering traditional Tet food on the altar, and giving lucky money to children.

These activities serve as a way of expressing respect and gratitude to the maternal side of the family and strengthening family ties.

20. Vietnamese New Year 3rd Day: Visiting Teachers

The third day of the Lunar New Year, or Tet, is traditionally reserved for visiting teachers or those to whom one is indebted. This may include old friends who have helped with job interviews or relatives who have lent money.

On this day, some restaurants and coffee shops may begin to reopen to allow people to meet and greet one another. The tradition of visiting teachers and those to whom one is indebted is a way of expressing gratitude and maintaining social connections during the holiday season.

21. Vietnamese New Year Day 4 to 7: Visiting friends and relatives

After the third day of the lunar new year, the festive atmosphere of Tet begins to subside. However, people continue to visit friends and relatives from the fourth to the seventh day of the holiday. After this period, people typically return to work and businesses begin to reopen.

What is the Significance of the Vietnamese New Year?

Vietnamese New Year is the most important annual celebration in Vietnam, with both cultural and historical significance. It marks the start of the lunar new year and is the most important holiday in the Vietnamese calendar. Tet is a time for families to come together and celebrate the past year’s accomplishments, as well as to honor ancestors and pray for a prosperous new year.

In terms of historical significance, The Tet Offensive, which occurred during the Vietnamese New Year holiday in 1968, is a significant event in the Vietnam War. The Tet Offensive was a simultaneous attack by North Vietnam on five major cities in South Vietnam that resulted in a military defeat for North Vietnam but was a political disaster for the Allied forces. The attack significantly eroded support for the war among the American public and political parties. The name “Tet Offensive” derives from the holiday during which the event took place.

What is the Vietnamese New Year Animal Zodiac Sign for 2023?

In Vietnamese culture, each lunar year is associated with an animal sign according to the zodiac cycle, featuring twelve animal signs in the order Rat, Water Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

Following that order, the Vietnamese New Year 2022 began the year of the Tiger and the Vietnamese New Year 2023 commences the year of the Cat. The cycle repeats every twelve years, so the upcoming years of the Cat would be 2035, 2047, and so on.

🐱 Per the Vietnamese Zodiac Calendar, 2023 is the Year of The Cat!

These zodiacs are also associated with five elements in life: gold (metal), wood, water, fire, earth. Every two years of a zodiac sign comes with one of the five elements. For instance, the zodiac sign for 2022 and 2023 is the gold element.

Vietnamese people believe that the zodiac and the element of the year will influence the personalities, careers, love, and fortune of the person who was born that year.

For example, people born in the year of the tiger are considered risk-takers who have a lot of energy and a lot of luck in life. As a result, they tend to be successful and rich. However, women born in the year of the tiger are believed to have difficulty in choosing life partners because of their strong and independent personalities.

Vietnamese New Year Date & Animal Sign for 2020

Vietnamese New Year 2020 fell on January 25th, 2020, beginning the Year of the Rat with the earth element.

Vietnamese New Year Date & Animal Sign for 2021

Vietnamese New Year 2021 was on February 22nd, 2021, starting the Year of the Water Buffalo with the earth element.

Vietnamese New Year Date & Animal Sign 2022

Vietnamese New Year 2022 is on February 1st, 2022. It is the Year of the Tiger with the gold element.

Vietnamese New Year Date & Animal Sign 2023

Vietnamese New Year 2023 is on January 22, 2023. It is the year of the Cat with the gold element.

Is the Vietnamese New Year Animal Zodiac Sign the Same As the Chinese New Year’s?

In most Asian cultures, each lunar year is associated with an animal sign according to the zodiac cycle of twelve years. Although Vietnam and China have similar zodiac signs and interpretations, they are not the same every year.

• In Vietnam, the 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Water Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In China, Singapore, and Korea, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

As you can see, the Vietnamese New Year 2022 animal sign is the Tiger, which would be the same as the Chinese New Year 2022 animal sign. However, in the following year, the Vietnamese New Year 2023 zodiac sign would be the Cat, while the Chinese New Year 2023’s symbol would be the Rabbit.

Tet Food – What do Vietnamese eat on Lunar New Year?

Vietnamese cuisine during Tet Festival is an important part of the holiday celebration. Many traditional dishes are prepared and served during this time as a way to honor ancestors and bring good luck for the year ahead, such as Banh Chung Cake, boiled whole chicken, pickled onions, special soups, etc.

🥢Banh Chung

The legend of Banh Chung, a traditional Vietnamese dish that is commonly served during the Vietnamese New Year, dates back thousands of years. According to the legend, King Hung VI gathered his sons together during a spring celebration and announced that he would pass the throne to the prince who could create the most delicious and meaningful meal.

In the ancient competition that ensued, Prince Lang Lieu emerged as the winner by creating a round cake symbolizing the sun or sky and a square cake (Banh Chung) symbolizing the earth. This legend has been passed down through the centuries and Banh Chung has become an important part of the cultural and culinary traditions of Vietnam.

Banh Chung is made of tightly-packed sticky rice that is wrapped in banana leaves and filled with pork and mung bean spread. The dish is believed to symbolize expressions of gratitude to ancestors and the earth.

While many people in cities may purchase Banh Chung from bakeries and supermarkets, families in rural areas of Northern Vietnam often make the dish themselves. The process of making Banh Chung is time-consuming but can be a fun and enjoyable activity for families to do together.

To prepare the dish, the ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves and placed over a fire, with family members taking turns to tend to the fire overnight. Despite the effort involved, the end result is a delicious and meaningful dish that is enjoyed during throughout the Tet holiday.

🥢Gio

Gio is a common type of Vietnamese ham or sausage. There are three common kinds of Gio including Gio Lua (made of ground pork, fish sauce, and black pepper), Gio Bo (made of beef), and Gio Thu (made of pork meat, ear, nose, tongue, cheek, and wood ear mushrooms).

Gio is typically sold by rolls of 1 kilogram during Tet. Each roll is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. After the roll is unwrapped, it is cut into pieces and served cold. They are often served with sticky rice and Banh Chung during Tet, but you can find them in the markets year-round. It is commonly used as fillings of Vietnamese sandwiches – Banh Mi as well.

🥢Boiled Whole Rooster

Boiled chicken is a popular staple dish in Vietnam that is often served during celebrations and special occasions. During the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tet, a whole rooster is typically boiled and a red rose is placed in its mouth as a decorative touch. This symbolizes luck, fullness, and well-being, and is an important part of the cultural traditions surrounding the Tet Festival.

🥢Gac Sticky Rice

Xôi Gấc, or Gac sticky rice, is a popular and traditional dish that is often served during the Vietnamese New Year. The dish is made from sticky rice and is characterized by its bright red color, which is believed to represent luck and prosperity. Xôi Gấc is a common and beloved dish in Vietnam and is enjoyed by many people during the Tet holiday and other special occasions.

🥢Candied Fruits and Dried Fruits

If you get invited to a Vietnamese family during the Lunar New Year Festival, you will be offered to try a box of candies, dried fruits, peanut brittle with sesame seeds, and melon seeds. Some popular dried fruits that are often served during Tet include “mứt dừa” (coconut), “mứt me” (tamarind), and “mứt gừng” (ginger).

How Does Vietnam celebrate the Vietnamese New Year?

Similar to Christmas in Western culture, Vietnamese serve as an opportunity for Vietnamese to decorate their homes, have family reunions, and wish for a new year of prosperity and well-being.

Students and workers can get 7 to 14 days off for the celebration of Tet. Most businesses would start to be closed two days before the Lunar New Year’s Day and not open until the 6th or 7th.

What is it like to travel to Vietnam during Vietnamese New Year (Tet)

Tet holiday can be a great time of the year to visit Vietnam and soak up the festive atmosphere. It is fun to immerse in the culture, try some traditional Tet food, and experience some authentic new year activities. However, there are a few things you should be aware of.

If you are visiting Vietnam during Tet Festival, you should book everything in advance and also budget for a little bit more to accommodate for the costs caused by raised demand. Expect very long lines and even chaos at the airports, train stations, and bus stations closer to the end of the lunar year as everyone rushes home for a reunion.

Most Vietnamese bars and nightclubs, restaurants, spas, and museums, will close in observance of the national holiday, typically from two or three days before Lunar New Year Day to around 3-5 days after. Hotels and resorts will slow down with fewer staff on hand.

If you travel to Vietnam during this period it is a good idea to check the opening times of the places you want to visit and plan your itinerary carefully.

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Which Places in Vietnam Should You Visit during the Vietnamese New Year?

The Vietnamese New Year is a time of celebration and cultural traditions that is enjoyed by people all over Vietnam. If you are planning to visit Vietnam during the Tet Festival, there are a number of places that are particularly worth visiting to fully experience the holiday atmosphere. Some of the top places to visit during Tet in Vietnam include:

Hanoi for the Capital’s Celebrations

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, so there will be a lot of activities and fireworks – I used to see at least 8 different firework spots in Hanoi from a balcony in Nga Tu So during Vietnamese New Year 2020. The most well-known spot to watch fireworks is by Hoan Kiem Lake, though you can expect it to be very crowded. Don’t dress too warm if you plan on joining the crowd, it will be very hot and sweaty.

If you want to avoid the crowd while enjoying the best views of fireworks around Hoan Kiem Lake on New Year, you can either book a table at rooftop restaurants or bars nearby, eat at restaurants right by the lake, or stay at hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake. If you stay at Apricot Hotel, you can watch fireworks from the balcony of the room or at the rooftop pool.

🎆Stay at Apricot Hotel for the best views of fireworks around Hoan Kiem Lake on Vietnamese New Year’s Eve!

Hoi An Ancient Town for Traditional Activities

Hoi An is a tourist ancient town close to Da Nang that is well-known for welcoming guests during Lunar New Year. You will see not only the streets lit in traditional lanterns, but also lion dances, traditional folk music, and many other festivities. Shops and restaurants will remain open throughout most of the holiday, although they may close early.

Ho Chi Minh City for Flower Festivals

Ho Chi Minh City, known for the vibrant nightlife and lavish dining spots, won’t let you down for the celebration of Tet. You will find many countdown parties all over the city and fancy cruise dinners by Saigon River. There will also be a Flower Festival on the walking street of Nguyen Hue.

Vietnamese New Year 2023 FAQs

The Wrap-Up: Vietnamese New Year

There are many traditions and customs that Vietnamese people follow during Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday). Before Lunar New Year’s Eve, they clean the house, put up decorations, prepare offerings to the altar for ancestors, and have a family reunion dinner.

On Lunar New Year’s Day, Vietnamese will visit paternal family, go to the pagoda, give children lucky money, and request couplets from calligraphy masters. They will spend the rest of the holiday visiting maternal families, teachers, friends, and relatives. I hope this list of the 20 Vietnamese New Year Traditions have helped you understand more about the country’s rich culture and customs.

Although the Vietnamese New Year is one of the best times to visit Vietnam to experience the culture, it can be stressful to plan travel, especially when you don’t know the language. If you need help, feel free to contact me to plan the itinerary and get the best quote for hotels and activities in Vietnam!

Imagine yourself in Vietnam on a beautiful morning in February, when the temperature is mild and the weather is perfect, yet almost no restaurants, spas, museums, or any kind of entertainment is open, would you still think it is the best time to visit Vietnam? Or when you are staying at a luxury resort in Vietnam and realize you are paying double the price yet having access to fewer amenities than normally, would you still feel happy about your visit?

I surely didn’t enjoy those experiences, and I know that most people wouldn’t! In this article, I will share with you important knowledge to truly determine the best time to visit Vietnam, not just based on weather!

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and the full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, but that does not affect any of my evaluations. If you do decide to make a purchase, I’d appreciate it if do so through my affiliate links to support my blog and enable me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under budget!

From my personal experiences: When is the best time to visit Vietnam weather-wise?

I grew up in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, and left for the US when I was seventeen. After living in North America and Europe for 10 years, I came back to Vietnam and lived as an expat in Ho Chi Minh City for almost two years. The nature of my job and my passion for traveling led me to explore many places in Vietnam, from north to south, during different seasons.

You can enjoy plenty of beautiful sunny days in Vietnam year-round, as long as you visit the right places at the right time of the year. In general, March to early May is the best time to visit Vietnam as the weather is nice and warm across the country. It’s the perfect time to cruise Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island before the summer crowds hit the town.

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From June to August, it gets very hot in northern Vietnam, but the weather tends to be milder in central and southern Vietnam. My favorite vacation spot during these hot summer months is Ba Na Hills, a recreational area in Truong Son Mountains, about an hour west of Da Nang. It was originally founded in the early 20th century by the French colonists as a luxury vacation spot for high-ranking officers due to its cool weather and fresh air up in the mountain.

If you want to experience the contrasting weather between the north and south of Vietnam, December would be your best bet. While it can be chilly in the north, it is hot in the south.

You may think that a couple of hours in distance would not make the weather change very much, but that may not be true in Vietnam, and I actually learn this the hard way! A couple of years ago, I was visiting Nha Trang in July and the weather was gorgeous.

My original plan was to go to Ho Chi Minh City next, but I spontaneously changed my mind and added Dalat to my itinerary – which was only a three-hour drive away. I thought it would have similar weather to Nha Trang because of the close distance, so I didn’t bother checking the weather. Little did I know, July was the start of the rainy season in Dalat. During the three days that I was there, it never stopped raining!

It wasn’t a huge problem for me as I had the chance to go back to Dalat during the dry season not long after that. However, if your trip to Vietnam is only for a few weeks or a few days with less flexibility, you will want to plan ahead to visit the places with the best weather.

I will go into more details about the weather in different places of interest in Vietnam, but before that, I want you to be mindful of a few other factors that would influence the best time to visit Vietnam.

When should you travel to Vietnam?

Vietnam’s vast and diverse terrain offers something to suit every traveler at almost any time of the year. In this section, you will find the most important factors to consider when it’s best to travel to Vietnam. As you read on, you will also find the best months to visit Vietnam based on different destinations and regions.

Factors influencing the best time to visit Vietnam

1. Vietnam’s Climate, Weather, & Temperature

The weather in Vietnam varies considerably from north to south due to the long and narrow shape of the country. While the variety in climates makes Vietnam a year-round destination, it is important to be aware of the weather in all of the destinations that you are planning to visit in Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Northern Vietnam offers a humid tropical climate with four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Summer in northern Vietnam (June to August) is typically very hot and humid. There are days that the temperatures can get to 43 degrees Celcius. The winter in northern Vietnam (December to February) is tricky.

Most of the time it’s has a mix of cool and warm days, just like the fall in the US. However, Northern Vietnam experiences very cold and rainy days when there is northeast monsoon. Although it almost never snows and the temperatures barely gets below 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celcius), the high humidity makes it feel so much colder.

Central Vietnam – Dry & Rainy Season

The coast of central Vietnam often faces typhoons during its wet season, especially between November and January. The rainy season usually ends in February, when you can expect warmer temperatures and more sunshine.

Southern Vietnam – Dry & Rainy Season

It is typically warm and sunny in Southern Vietnam year-round. During the rainy season (May to October), it may rain occasionally throughout the days. However, it didn’t bother me that much when I lived in Ho Chi Minh City, because it’s typically downpouring for a short period of time and then it’s sunny again!

When is the Best Weather in Vietnam?

Because the weather is so diverse across the country, you will find a place with the best weather every month! No kidding. You will just have to choose the places of interest that you want to visit during your trip to Vietnam and then figure out when they have the best weather. My guide below will help you do that! However, my favorite time to visit Vietnam is in December because it allows me to experience different weather across different regions in Vietnam.

What are the hottest months in Vietnam?

The hottest months in Northern and Central Vietnam are June and July, while the hottest months in Southern Vietnam are March and April. Due to the humidity levels, June and July in Northern and Central Vietnam feel much hotter than March and April in the south.

What is the coldest month in Vietnam?

Only northern Vietnam has four distinctive seasons and January is the coldest month in the north. Central and Southern Vietnam has quite consistently warm weather throughout the year.

2. Vietnam’s Festivals

Attending a festival in Vietnam is one of the best ways for you to learn about its culture, myths, and customs. In addition, some Vietnamese local dishes and snacks are only available during the annual festivals.

These are, in my opinion, some of the best festivals in Vietnam:

1. 🥮Mid-Autumn Festival: Typically held on the 14th and 15th day of August in the lunar month (typically September in the solar calendar). Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full moon and features activities including paper lantern parades and lion dances. Many houses along the main streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An will have red lanterns hanging at the front doors. Even if you miss the exact date of celebration, visiting Vietnam in September will allow you to find a wide variety of moon cakes, which are not typically available other times of the year.
2. 🍲Cold Food Festival: The annual Cold Food festival takes place on the 3rd of march in the lunar month (typically falls in late March or early April in the solar calendar). The food that is very popularly served during this festival are chilled dishes such as floating rice cake (banh troi) and glutinous rice balls with mung bean paste (banh chay).
3. 🛕Perfume Pagoda Festival: There are many religious festivals in Vietnam, but Perfume Pagoda Festival is probably one of the biggest. Pilgrims from all over Vietnam travel to Hanoi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda, on the 15th of the January in lunar calendar, to pray for a prosperous year and pay their respects to Buddha.

3. Vietnam’s Public Holidays – When You May Want to Avoid Vietnam

Public holidays in Vietnam are basically when workers get the day off work. During these holidays, there is a surge in domestic travel, leading to a hike in prices for hotels and tours all over Vietnam. Not only the prices will be higher, but it is also much more crowded. These are some of the public holidays in Vietnam that I typically try to avoid:

• Apr 30: Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon
• May 1: Labour Day
• Sep 2: Independence Day

4. Vietnamese New Year (Tet)

Vietnamese New Year, locally called Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet, is the biggest annual festival and the most important celebration in Vietnam. Students and workers can typically get 7 to 14 days off for the Tet celebration. As this is the biggest festival as well as the longest public holiday in Vietnam, it can be both the best and the worst time to visit Vietnam!

🧧Learn more about Vietnamese New Year Traditions to better prepare for your trip!

Vietnamese New Year is on the first day of January in the lunar calendar, which falls on a different date every year in late January – early February according to the solar calendar. For 2022, the Vietnamese New Year takes place on February 1st. If you visit big cities in Vietnam (especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) just a few days right before the lunar new year, you will most likely have a great time. There are decorations and year-end sales everywhere. On the sidewalks, you will find many pop-up shops selling cherry blossoms and kumquats (look like baby mandarine orange trees). On New Year’s Eve, big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will have plenty of night shows and fireworks.

However, starting from New Year Day, you will find the cities fall into sleep! Almost no businesses would be open. In fact, you may barely even see people on the streets, as most people would return to their hometown to gather with their families. Most places will close for one week till the 6th or the 7th of the lunar new year. As a result, I would not recommend taking your trip to Vietnam during the week after Lunar New Year’s Eve.

🛎️🏨How CHEAP can LUXURY be? Check out these 5-star hotels and resorts in Vietnam with affordable price tags and learn about the common scams to watch out for!

The Best Time/Best Months to Visit Vietnam Based on Destinations

The long and narrow shape of Vietnam makes the weather vary considerably as you go from one part of the country to another. While this variety makes Vietnam a year-round destination, it’s important to plan ahead of time when and where you want to visit. In general, the best time to visit Vietnam is from March to May, when the days are long and temperatures are moderate. However, it also depends on what you want to see and do. For example, Sa Pa in December is rainy and foggy, but it is indeed the best time to visit if you are into “catching the clouds” on the peak of Fansipan.

My detailed guide below will help you decide the best time to visit different places in Vietnam.

1. Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the must-see attractions in the North. It has a rich and fascinating culture that is blended with Chinese and French influences.

Best Time to visit Hanoi in Northern Vietnam

The best time to visit Hanoi is from September to November or from March to April when the weather is warm, not too hot or too dry. From December to February, the weather is generally cool and pleasant, but there is a chance that the city will be influenced by the Northeast monsoon, making it super cold for a few days.

Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Hanoi

• Hanoi Motorbike Foodie Tour
• Food Walking Tour
• Thang Long Water Puppet Show and Cyclo Ride

Best Day Trips from Hanoi

• Ninh Binh Highlights
• Ha Long Bay Cruise

Where to Stay in Hanoi

• Apricot Hotel: is located at the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, a few steps to Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and St. Joseph Cathedral of Hanoi. The famous street for nightlife in Hanoi – Ta Hien – is just a short walk away. If you stay in Hanoi during special occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, this is hands down the best luxury hotel in Hanoi. Instead of sweating in the multitude of people trying to catch a glimpse of the fireworks, you can watch the celebration from your balcony or rooftop pool at Apricot Hotel.
• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel: since its opening at the turn of last century, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been a legendary landmark in Hanoi. The Sunday brunch ($80++/person) offers a limited selection but high quality gourmet food. Sunday Brunch at Metropole is very popular among locals and may be fully booked a week in advance
• Hilton Hanoi Opera: Hilton is a well-maintained hotel conveniently located 1 minute walk from Hanoi Opera House.

2. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination in northeast Vietnam, about 2.5 hours by car from Hanoi. Ha Long Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.

Best Time to visit Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam

The best time to visit Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is from April to June as well as from September to November, as it is almost always sunny and the water is warm enough for swimming.

Where to Stay in Ha Long Bay

• Stellar of the Seas is a luxury 5-star all-inclusive cruise that will take you around the bay for two days one night. It wraps up the experience in Ha Long Bay very nicely, and has definitely been my favorite place.
• Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: built on a man made island in Ha Long Bay, Vinpearl has a private beach, outdoor pool and speedboat transfer. The food at Vinpearl Ha Long is mediocre, but the service is excellent.
• Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is where guests can enjoy a hot springs bath near Ha Long Bay. The hotel adopts the onsen hot springs resort style from Japan and is adored by Vietnamese tourists.

3. Sa Pa

As a popular trekking base, Sa Pa overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and is the gateway to the Fansipan peak – the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula. You can take a night sleeping bus from Hanoi at 22:00 PM to arrive at Sa Pa roughly around 6:00 AM.

⭐Only $124 for Sa Pa 3 Days 2 Nights Cultural and Trekking Tour

Best Time to visit Sa Pa in Northern Vietnam

The best time to visit Sa Pa depends mostly on what you want to experience in this beautiful mountain village.

• February to May: This is the best time to visit Sa Pa to admire the beautiful regional flowers such as cherry blossoms and climbing roses.
• June to August: Sa Pa is a widely popular destination during these months as the pleasantly cool temperatures at high altitude makes it an ideal vacation spot to run away from the burning summer heat in other regions.
• September to October: This is the ripe rice season in Sa Pa. The gorgeous natural landscapes will leave you at awe as the lush rice terraces turn into shiny golden fields under the sun
• December: Sa Pa will typically be rainy and foggy in December, yet it still attracts a great number of tourists because of the opportunity to “catch the clouds” in Fansipan. When you take the cable car from Sa Pa to Fansipan, you will go through the clouds. As you reach the peak, it will be sunny and provide the perfect backdrop for gorgeous pictures of you “floating” above the clouds.
• January: As I said, Vietnam almost never snowes, but when it does, it happens in Sapa in the last week of January. Many professional photographers flock to Sapa during this time, trying to catch pictures of white snow on the cherry blossom trees.

Where to Stay in Sa Pa

• Hotel de la Coupole MGallery is an award-winning 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Sapa at a very affordable price. The hotel is connected to Muong Hoa funicular, which would conveniently take you to the departure terminal of Fansipan cable cars. From there, you can easily conquer the peak of Fansipan, also known as “the Roof of Indochina”.
• Silk Path Grand Resort and Spa: secluded location but the hotel does provide shuttle to the city center. Each room has a beautiful rose garden that would bloom typically bloom in the spring and summer.
• Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel: offers many good deals with beautiful views of the rice terraces. However, if you book the lowest tier rooms, it may have the views of the tribal cemetery.

4. Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue

Central Vietnam is home to the famous luxury beach resort town Da Nang, the exceptionally well-preserved ancient town Hoi An, and the stunning royal complexes in Hue. This is the perfect combination of places to visit in Vietnam if you want to explore more than one city with limited time.

Best Time to visit Danang – Hoi An – Hue in Central Vietnam

The best time to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue in Central Vietnam is from February to May before it gets hot in the summer. You should try to avoid visiting Central Vietnam between November and January during the stormy season as it can be quite dangerous.

Where to Stay in Danang – Hoi An – Hue

• Senna Hue Hotel is probably the cheapest 5-star hotel you will ever find in Vietnam! You will be able to stay at this centrally located hotel in Hue starting at $50 per night
• InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a luxury five-star beach resort in Son Tra Peninsula, about 30 minutes to Ngu Hanh Son and 45 minutes from Da Nang airport. It currently houses the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam.
• Anantara Hoi An Resort is within walking distance from the historic quarter of Hoi An. The hotel offers riverfront dining and a variety of activities such as Chinese painting, Vietnamese conversational class, and Yoga. 

5. Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is one of the largest cities in Vietnam, with modern architecture and vibrant nightlife. You will find traces of the Vietnam War in historical attractions such as the Independence Palace and Cu Chi Tunnels.

Best Time to visit Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam

The weather in southern Vietnam is consistently warmer than in the north. The rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City lasts from May to November and the dry season lasts from December to April of next year. The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is during the dry season when it’s warm and sunny, but I honestly didn’t mind the rainy season that much. You may see occasional downpouring rains that last about 10 to 30 minutes, and then it’s sunny again. The rains make it a bit cooler in Ho Chi Minh City during the rainy season, but keep in mind that it is still generally warm.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Rex Hotel Saigon: an affordable upscale hotel at the prime location in the city center, right on the famous walking Nguyen Hue Street. Within a 15-minute walk from the hotel, you can explore most major attractions, such as Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Opera House, Takashimaya Mall, Bitexco, Ben Thanh Market, and the General Post Office.

❗Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full-Day VIP Tour from Ho Chi Minh City only $79❗

6. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, also referred to as Western Region, is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam because of its impressive rivers and canals network. The best way to explore the Mekong Delta at your own pace is to hire a car with a private driver from Ho Chi Minh City. You can stop at My Tho for the famous “hu tieu” (rice noodles) and Ben Tre for fresh coconut juice, before reaching Can Tho – the largest city in the Mekong Delta that is best known for the floating markets. You can book the boat tours on your own or ask your driver to coordinate the boat tours for your visit.

Best Time to visit Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam

The best time to visit Mekong Delta is between May and August, during the harvest season of fruit orchards. You can take the boat to visit the gardens and pick the fruits to eat for free or buy in bulk to bring home at a very cheap price.

Where to Stay in Mekong Delta

Azerai Can Tho is a beautiful resort with a mix of Vietnamese traditional and contemporary decor on an islet off Hau River. The booking rate includes a complimentary speedboat transfer from Ninh Kieu pier. It is also very convenient as you can rent a boat to take you directly from the resort to the Floating Markets in the morning.

7. Da Lat

Dalat, known for its distinctive temperate climate, was developed by the French as a resort town in the early 1900s. It later became the favorite vacation spot of the Vietnamese royalty, so much that Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal regime, built multiple palaces and luxurious residences in Dalat.

Best Time to visit Dalat in Southern Vietnam

Dalat features a subtropical highland climate, in contrast to the weather in other parts of southern Vietnam. The most ideal time to visit Dalat is in the dry season from November to June because of the nice weather and beautiful flowers in full bloom. In late December, Dalat celebrates the flower festivals with plenty of creative flower decorations around town.

Where to Stay in Dalat

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel was built in 1922 and still retains some of its original character and colonial style. Spanning over five acres of woodland, the picturesque hotel is at a prime location near Ho Xuan Huong Lake, Prenn Falls, Dalat Central Market, and Bao Dai’s Summer Palace. Some of the hotel rooms feature the lake and cathedral views.

8. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a coastal city in southern Vietnam, known for its pristine beaches, diving sites, and offshore islands.

Best Time to visit Nha Trang in Southern Vietnam

The best time to visit Nha Trang is in the dry season from January to September. The weather is beautiful and ideal for island tours.

Where to Stay in Nha Trang

The main beach in Nha Trang runs along Tran Phu Street, filled with promenades, hotels, and seafood restaurants. In addition, there are several luxury resorts on private islands off the coast of Nha Trang. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is one of the best luxury villa complexes that is a speedboat ride away from Nha Trang. Every villa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort features its own private pool with and a garden terrace or sundeck. Whether you pick a villa on the beach, over the water, between rocks, or perched on the mountainsides, you will enjoy panoramic ocean views of the East Vietnam Sea.

9. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is a Vietnamese island off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. It used to be known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, relaxing vibe, and rugged beauty, but has now become a more developed island filled with European-style luxury hotels and resorts.

Best Time to visit Phu Quoc in Southern Vietnam

The best time to visit Phu Quoc is the dry season from the end of October to mid-May of next year. Although it’s possible to visit Phu Quoc during the rainy season, you may risk being stuck on the island for days if it’s hit by a storm.

Where to Stay in Phu Quoc

The newest and biggest project that has gone into operation in 2021 is the Grand World “sleepless city”, filled with round-the-clock shows, Venetian-style shophouses, and gondola rides, bars, clubs, and the Corona Casino. Since Grand World, together with other popular attractions in Phu Quoc like VinOasis and VinSafari, are practically owned by VinGroup, you will enjoy certain perks for staying at Vinpearl resort such as free shuttle and easy access to main attractions.

There are 5 different Vinpearl Hotels on Phu Quoc. Since hotel rooms and services at Vinpearl are quite standardized across the country, it’s safe to say that your experience won’t vary much when you stay at any of these 5 Vinpearl Resorts in Phu Quoc. If you are celebrating your honeymoon, make sure you make a note in your reservation as the hotel may provide complimentary flower bed decoration and a small cake.

Key Takeaways: The Best Time to go to Vietnam

One of the most important decisions you will make before visiting Vietnam is deciding when to go. Although the weather is an important factor, it isn’t everything you should consider when deciding the best time to visit Vietnam. Knowing when the country celebrates annual festivals and public holidays (especially Vietnamese New Year) would help you enhance your cultural experiences or avoid pricing surges in Vietnam.

I hope my detailed guide about the weather in Vietnam and other factors to consider has helped you pick the best places of interest as well as the best time to visit this beautiful country.

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In the past 10 years, I have traveled the length of Vietnam and stayed at almost 100 different hotels and resorts. There were definitely some that I was more impressed with than the others. As a result, I have curated a list of the best 5-star hotels and resorts in Vietnam to help you plan your travel itinerary. Whether you are looking to visit a region of Vietnam or do a trip along the length of the country, my guide will help you pick the best places to stay and visit.

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and a full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and enables me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

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Where are the best places to stay in vietnam?

Vietnam is a small country in Southeast Asia, yet it has tremendous diversity in geography, history, weather, and culture among the three regions: Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. When you are looking for the best places to stay in Vietnam, it is important to recognize the differences among these regions and decide which would most interest you.

⛰️Northern Vietnam (home to the capital city of Hanoi) offers a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, delicate cuisine (home to the famous “Pho”), Sapa – where you can stand above the clouds, and Halong Bay – which was nominated as one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders.

🏆Northern Vietnam Deal: All-Inclusive Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night Luxury Cruise for Only $112!

🏖️Central Vietnam (home to the famous beach resort town Danang and the imperial city Hue) has a tropical monsoon climate, remarkable royal complexes, spicy food, and beautiful white-sand beaches.

🏆Central Vietnam Deal: 2 Day 1 Night Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Cave Adventure from Hue

🌃Southern Vietnam (home to Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City) is hot all year with only two seasons (rainy and dry). You will find modern structures with American influence, vibrant nightlife, and the food will have more of a sweet taste.

🏆Southern Vietnam Deal: All-Inclusive 2-Day Tour Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta Can tho – Phu Quoc Only $166!

Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Northern Vietnam

1. Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery – Sapa, Vietnam

Hotel de la Coupole MGallery is an award-winning 5-star hotel in the heart of Sapa, a mountain town in the northwest of Vietnam. It was awarded as Asia’s Leading Design Hotel, Asia’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel, and Vietnam’s Leading Luxury Hotel for the third time in 2021. The iconic hotel has one-of-a-kind architecture and decor, featuring a romantic fusion of modern glamour, French colonial details, and colorful ethnic tribal styles.

I have to admit that I wasn’t a fan of the breakfast at Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery, but other than that, everything about this hotel deserves 5 stars. The hotel is connected to Muong Hoa funicular, which would conveniently take you to the departure terminal of Fansipan cable cars. From there, you can easily conquer the peak of Fansipan, the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula, also known as “the Roof of Indochina”.

I stayed at Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery during New Year’s Eve 2021 and this hotel has amazing festive decorations that really reminded me of the holiday in Paris. The classic room starts at around $95 and is quite cozy, but I’d recommend upgrading to the Deluxe Room for a lovely bathtub behind the glass door.

✔️Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery Deal – Best Luxury Hotel in Sapa, Vietnam

Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery Review – Key Points:

• Every corner of this hotel is “instagrammable”!
• Convenient location next to Muong Hoa funicular, the gateway to Fansipan cable cars.
• Easy access to rice paddies and minority villages
• Staff is friendly and helpful. You can ask the staff about the weather condition in Fansipan peak to decide if you should go up or wait
• Zen spa with herbal bath that is very relaxing. The medicinal herbal leaves are of high quality and they will show you the ingredients
• Festive decorations and events in December. The New Year’s Eve buffet dinner has lobsters, snow crabs, foie gras, and many other international festive dishes at the signature restaurant “Chic”
• Excellent Vietnamese and international cuisine (although breakfast could be improved)

Other 5-star hotel & resort options nearby:

• Silk Path Grand Resort and Spa: secluded location but the hotel does provide shuttle to the city center. Each room has a beautiful rose garden balcony that attracts many visitors. However, when I went in December, the flowers weren’t booming so the landscape looked unimpressive. Overall, the stay was pleasant, but I probably wouldn’t come back.
• Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel: offers many good deals with spectacular views of the rice terraces. However, the hotel is across from the cemetery so I didn’t feel very comforable. If you book the lowest tier rooms, you may have the views of the cemetery.

2. Apricot Hotel – Hanoi, Vietnam

Apricot Hotel beats other candidates on my list for the best 5-star hotel in Hanoi, thanks to its unbeatable location, amazing views, and affordable price. Apricot Hotel is located at the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, a few steps to Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and St. Joseph Cathedral of Hanoi. The famous street for nightlife in Hanoi – Ta Hien – is just a short walk away.

On the weekends, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter turn into walking streets, filled with night markets and entertainment that are popular among tourists and locals alike. Needless to say, taxis will be overpriced and you may have difficulty in finding one. If you stay at Apricot Hotel, you can easily access the fun activities in Old Quarter and not worry about finding ways to get back.

Another nice perk about staying at Apricot Hotel is that you will have incredible views of the iconic Turtle Tower (Thap Rua), Temple of Jade Mountain (Den Ngoc Son), and the Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge (Cau The Huc). If you stay in Hanoi during special occasions such as Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, this is hands down the best luxury hotel in Hanoi. Instead of sweating in the multitude of people trying to catch a glimpse of the fireworks, you can watch the celebration from your balcony or rooftop pool at Apricot Hotel.

✔️Apricot Hotel Deal – Luxury Hotel with the Best Location in Hanoi, Vietnam

Apricot Hotel Review – Key Points:

• Unbeatable location close to everything, a few minutes walk to the famous nightlife street Ta Hien
• Great views of Hoan Kiem Lake and the city.
• Best luxury hotel in Hanoi to view fireworks on special occasions
• The hotel feels like an art gallery with many artworks

Other 5-star hotel & resort options nearby:

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel: since its opening at the turn of last century, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been a legendary landmark in Hanoi. The Sunday brunch ($80++/person) offers a limited selection but high quality gourmet food. It is very popular among locals and may be fully booked a week in advance. Although Metropole’s Sunday brunch is my favorite brunch spot in the city and well worth the money, I preferred the location of Apricot Hotel.
• Hilton Hanoi Opera: Hilton is conveniently located 1 minute walk from Hanoi Opera House. The hotel is well-maintained and you can expect a comfortable stay there, but there is nothing really special about the decor, the food, or the views.

✔️ Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel – Luxury Hotel with the Best Food in Hanoi, Vietnam

3. Stellar of the Seas – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Of all the accommodations that I have stayed in and near Ha Long Bay, Stellar of the Seas has been the most expensive, yet provides the best value for money. Stellar of the Seas is a luxury 5-star all-inclusive cruise that will take you around the bay for two days one night. You will board a speed boat from Tuan Chau Island to get to the big cruise ship at bay. The number of crew members is said to be the same as the number of guests to maintain the highest quality of service.

I feel like their food could improve with more seafood options, but other than that, there is nothing to complain about. As you cruise Ha Long Bay, there are several activities on board to keep you entertained. When the cruise stops, you can enjoy kayaking and swimming in the emerald water. At night, you can join the crew for squid fishing at the lower deck.

The nice thing is that all the rooms at Stellar of the Seas have balconies. The senior and junior rooms have the same design, but the senior rooms are on the second upper deck. The best value room in the Stellar of the Seas cruise is the executive suite terrace. The bathtub has a panoramic view of the bay, and there is a terrace fitting two sunbeds, giving you the perfect privacy to enjoy Ha Long Bay. The presidential room is twice as big as the executive room, so the price is twice as much. It offers complete privacy on the top deck, so I would highly recommend this option for couples and honeymooners.

✔️Stellar of the Seas – Best Luxury Cruise in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Stellar of the Seas Review – Key Points:

• 2 day 1 night cruise on Ha Long Bay
• All-inclusive feature with entertainment included
• Free birthday cake on your birthday
• A mix of Vietnamese and international cuisine

Other 5-star hotel & resort options nearby:

• Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: built on a man made island in Ha Long Bay, Vinpearl has a private beach, outdoor swimming pool and speedboat transfer. The food at Vinpearl Ha Long is mediocre, but the service is excellent.
• Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is where guests can enjoy a hot springs bath near Ha Long Bay. The hotel adopts the onsen hot springs resort style from Japan and is adored by Vietnamese tourists.

4. Legacy Yen Tu MGallery – Uong Bi, Vietnam

Yen Tu Mountain is the most famous religious attraction in Vietnam, about an hour from Ha Long Bay. Legacy Yen Tu MGallery is inspired by Yen Tu’s ancient architecture and preserves many details of Vietnam’s culture. The rustic-chic rooms with the 13th-century design will offer you a unique experience and set the scene for your relaxation and meditation. The hotel offers the perfect hideaway for relaxation of the soul, the mind, and the body. All the food options are vegan and vegetarian, but be prepared to find some mind-blowing meat and seafood imitations.

✔️Legacy Yen Tu MGallery – Best Luxury Wellness Hotel in Vietnam

Legacy Yen Tu MGallery Review – Key Points:

• Rustic-chic rooms with the 13th-century design
• Excellent vegan and vegetarian food
• Close to Yen Tu Mountain
• Impressive Vietnamese vegan and vegetarian cuisine

5. Emeralda Resort – Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Located about 100 KM south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh provides endless choices of romantic backdrops with endless rice fields, tall limestone cliffs, and magical caves. As a result, the province is an extremely popular place for Vietnamese couples to shoot their engagement and pre-wedding photos. Although Emeralda Resort isn’t as impressive to me as other hotels and resorts on this list, it deserves to be here as it is currently the only 5-star resort in Ninh Binh.

Emeralda Resort is about a 20-minute drive from Tuyet Tinh Coc, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, and Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. The resort offers costume rental service for as low as $5. Couples and honeymooners can order pre-wedding photoshoots with the resort for as low as $75.

✔️Emeralda Resort – The Only Luxury Resort in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Emeralda Resort Review – Key Points:

• Clean room with wooden design – typical Vietnamese countryside old style
• Cheap costume rental service
• Pre-wedding photoshoots available

The Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Central Vietnam

6. Banyan Tree Lang Co – Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam

In central Vietnam, Lang Co is a village known for its seafood stalls and long white-sand beach. Nestled in an exclusive crescent bay, Banyan Tree Lang Co offers a perfect stop to relax after the long drive through the Hai Van Pass over Truong Son Mountain Range.

In addition to lagoon villas for couples, Banyan Tree Lang Co has some options for bigger groups. The three-bedroom hillside sea view villa with a private infinity pool overlooking the East Sea would be perfect for family gatherings. For activities around the resort, you can spend an afternoon exploring Lang Co’s local fishing villages, navigating through the mangroves in a traditional basket boat.

✔️Banyan Tree Lang Co – Best Luxury Beach Resort in Hue, Vietnam

Banyan Tree Lang Co Review – Key Points:

• Beautiful white-sand private beach
• Convenient to explore Lang Co’s local fishing villages

7. Senna Hue Hotel – Hue, Vietnam

Senna Hue Hotel is probably the cheapest 5-star hotel you will ever find in Vietnam! Starting at $50 per night, you will be able to stay at this centrally located hotel in Hue. The hotel was newly built in 2019 and is just a short walk from Trang Tien Bridge. You can also get a quick “xich lo” ride to Hue Imperial Citadel.

I have advised you to generally watch out for star rankings and reviews on Booking.com in Vietnam, but I have to repeat it again in Hue. In fact, I would not even trust TripAdvisor or Google rankings in Hue.

Because many accommodations are old, what was a 5-star hotel two decades ago would no longer be a 5-star hotel now. Two times I had to switch hotels in the middle of the night in Hue because I couldn’t stand the moldy smell in the hotel, so I really want to make sure you don’t have such an experience.

✔️Senna Hue Hotel Deal – Cheapest New Luxury Hotel in Vietnam!

Senna Hue Hotel Review – Key Points:

• Incredibly affordable
• Newly built hotel in city center of Hue

8. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang, Vietnam

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a luxury five-star beach resort in Son Tra Peninsula, about 30 minutes to Ngu Hanh Son and 45 minutes from Da Nang airport. This hotel was designed by the famous architect Bill Bensley, the same architect who designed the Hotel de la Coupole MGallery. You will literally start to get the luxury feel from the moment you pass through the front gate security.

Besides the beautiful private beach and luxurious amenities, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort also boasts the first Michelin three-star restaurant in Vietnam – La Maison 1888. The restaurant, led by the three-star Michelin chef Pierre Gagnaire, was recognized by CNN in the Top 10 of the World’s Best Restaurants in 2016. In addition, you can pamper yourself with a spa treatment at HARNN Heritage Spa or get a pedicure at the “Cure Studio” by Bastien Gonzalez, a world-renowned pedicurist.

If you book a Club Intercontinental room (typically $100-$200 extra), you will enjoy the exclusive privileges of Club InterContinental, such as access to Sun Peninsula Club InterContinental Lounge with light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, a butler, breakfast at the lounge, afternoon tea from 02:30 PM until 04:30 PM and daily evening cocktails and canapés from 05:30 PM to 07:30 PM.

✔️InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – Best Luxury Resort in Danang, Vietnam

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort Review – Key Points:

• Luxurious facilities and amenities including fitness center and full service spa
• Delicious food with several dining options including a Michelin three-star restaurant
• Club Intercontinenal benefits
• Beautiful views of the East Sea

9. Anantara Hoi An Resort – Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved ancient town on Vietnam’s central coast. The architecture reflects a mix of eras and styles from Chinese, French, and Japanese influence. It is only a 45-minute drive from Da Nang, so you could easily take a ride back to Da Nang after the night market in the old quarter is closed at 10:30 PM. However, if you would like to spend the night in Hoi An, Anantara Hoi An Resort would be the best hotel choice.

Set in the lush tropical gardens along Thu Bon River, Anantara Hoi An Resort is within walking distance from the historic quarter of Hoi An. The hotel offers riverfront dining and a variety of activities such as Chinese painting, Vietnamese conversational class, and Yoga. You can also sign up for the sunset boat trips along the river and walking tours to the Cham Imperial City of My Son.

✔️Anantara Hoi An Resort – Best Luxury Resort in Hoi An, Vietnam

Anantara Hoi An Resort Review – Key Points:

• Anantara Hoi An Resort is at a favorable riverfront location, only a short walk from Hoi An historic quarter
• There is plenty of activities on site to keep you entertained

10. Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills – Danang, Vietnam

Ba Na Hills is a recreational area in Truong Son Mountains, about an hour west of Da Nang. It was originally founded in the early 20th century by the French colonists and was later developed into an amusement park in 2007. Ba Na Hills has undergone a lot of changes since then, one of which was the added French Village with the sophisticated Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills.

Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills fits right into the setting of the French Village with its 19th-century style decor. It doesn’t exactly feel like walking along the streets of France, but it is comparable to the French quarter in Disneyland. Located at 1,487 meters above sea level, the hotel offers a magnificent view of its surrounding landscapes.

Since access to the French Village is restricted to the opening hours of the cables car, staying at Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills allows you to have extra time in the amusement park with a very limited number of tourists around. In fact, around 6:00 AM in the morning and 10:00 PM at night, you will feel like you have the whole village for yourself.

✔️Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills – The Only Luxury Resort in Bana Hills, Vietnam

Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Review – Key Points:

• Extra hours in French Village & Ba Na Hills
• Classical European architecture

Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Southern Vietnam

11. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay – Nha Trang, Vietnam

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a speedboat ride away from Nha Trang, making it feel like you are discovering a remote island. Every villa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort features its own private pool and a garden terrace or sundeck. Whether you pick a villa on the beach, over the water, between rocks, or perched on the mountainsides, you will enjoy panoramic ocean views of the East Vietnam Sea.

Each villa offers a complete sense of seclusion, to the point that you can fall asleep to the sounds of waves! You will have a dedicated butler, also called guest experience maker, who is on call 24 hours a day. Better yet, you can order a Bali-styled floating breakfast to your villa pool for an extra charge and enjoy it as long as you want!

✔️Six Senses Ninh Van Bay – Best Luxury Resort With Secluded Beach in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Review – Key points

• Secluded island with dramatic views
• A chance to encounter endangered monkeys
• Floating breakfast available

12. Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel – Dalat, Vietnam

Dalat, known for its distinctive temperate climate, was developed by the French as a resort town in the early 1900s. It later became the favorite vacation spot of the Vietnamese royalty, so much that Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam’s feudal regime, built multiple palaces and luxurious residences in Dalat.

Built in 1922, Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel still retains some of its original character and colonial style. Spanning over five acres of woodland, the picturesque hotel is at a prime location near Ho Xuan Huong Lake, Prenn Falls, Dalat Central Market, and Bao Dai’s Summer Palace. Some of the hotel rooms feature the lake and cathedral views.

✔️Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel – Luxury Hotel With Prime Location in Dalat, Vietnam

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel Review – Key points

• Central location with lake and cathedral views
• Retain the mix of colonial and royal style architecture from the early 20th century

13. Rex Hotel Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is one of the largest cities in Vietnam, so there are many competitive five-star hotel options. My last two candidates for the top hotel in Ho Chi Minh City were Reverie Saigon and Rex Hotel.

Although the rooms at Reverie Saigon are more modern, Rex Hotel Saigon wins because of its affordable price and prime location in the center of the bustling city, right on the famous walking Nguyen Hue Street Within a 15-minute walk from the hotel, you can explore most major attractions, such as Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Opera House, Takashimaya Mall, Bitexco, Ben Thanh Market, and the General Post Office.

✔️Rex Hotel Saigon – Luxury Hotel With Prime Location in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Rex Hotel Saigon Review – Key points

• Prime location in the city center of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Most major attractions are within a short walk from the hotel
• Modern decor and clean room

14. Azerai Can Tho – Western Vietnam

The Mekong Delta, also referred to as Western Region, is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam. The best way to explore the Mekong Delta at your own pace is to hire a car with a private driver from Ho Chi Minh City. You can stop at My Tho for the famous “hu tieu” (rice noodles) and Ben Tre for fresh coconut juice, before reaching Can Tho – the largest city in the Mekong Delta.

Azerai Can Tho is a beautiful resort with a mix of Vietnamese traditional and contemporary decor on an islet off Hau River. The booking rate includes a complimentary speedboat transfer from Ninh Kieu pier. One of the must-try experiences in Can Tho is to visit the “Cai Rang Floating Markets” in the morning – where local farmers gather and trade. If you stay inland in Can Tho, you will have to get to Ninh Kieu pier early morning and then board a ferry or rent a boat to get to “Cai Rang Floating Markets”. However, if you stay at Azerai Can Tho, you can sleep in a little as the boat can pick you up from the resort!

✔️Azerai Can Tho – Best Luxury Hotel in Can Tho, Vietnam

Azerai Can Tho Review – Key points

• Romantic getaway on an islet in the Mekong Delta
• Conenient to board a boat cruise to “Cai Rang Floating Markets”
• Vietnamese traditional and contemporary decor

15. Vinpearl Phu Quoc – Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is a Vietnamese tropical island lying off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. When I first visited Phu Quoc almost 10 years ago, the island was still underdeveloped. It was known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, relaxing vibe, and rugged beauty. Phu Quoc has changed a lot since then. It is now filled with luxury hotels and resorts, and new development projects are rising every day.

The newest and biggest project that has gone into operation in 2021 is the Grand World “sleepless city”, filled with round-the-clock shows, Venetian-style shophouses, gondola rides, bars, clubs, and the Corona Casino. Since Grand World, together with other popular attractions in Phu Quoc like VinOasis and VinSafari, are practically owned by VinGroup, you will enjoy certain perks for staying at Vinpearl resort such as free shuttle and easy access to main attractions.

There are 5 different Vinpearl Hotels on Phu Quoc island. Since hotel rooms and services at Vinpearl are quite standardized across the country, it’s safe to say that your experience won’t vary much when you stay at any of these 5 Vinpearl Resorts in Phu Quoc. If you are celebrating your honeymoon, make sure you make a note in your reservation as the hotel may provide complimentary flower bed decoration and a small cake.

✔️Vinpearl Hotels – The Staple Luxury Hotel Chain in Vietnam!

Vinpearl Phu Quoc Review – Key points

• Easy access to Grand World, VinSafari, and VinOasis
• Complimentary honeymoon bed decoration and cakes

How to Book the Top Hotels in Vietnam at The Best Price

1. ⭐BEWARE of Star Ratings & Reviews on Booking.com

I have used Booking.com for a long time, but I have had my fair share of booking crappy places that were masked under 5-star hotels in a few countries like Mexico and Vietnam that I no longer trust its star ratings and reviews.

There were places I didn’t think would deserve two stars, let alone five stars. There were a few places that looked like they could have been 5-star hotels two decades ago, but not anymore. And then there were straight-out scams that I literally had to leave in the middle of the night to look for somewhere else to stay.

One of the most memorable incidents I had was in Ho Chi Minh City in 2016. I booked a hotel near Ben Thanh Market that had a 5-star rating on Booking.com and an 8+ average reviews score. The price was around only $40 per night. When I got to the hotel, it looked just like the pictures. However, after I checked in, the staff took me to a crappy building next door!

The building looked like an old and moldy brothel, and to this day I still get goosebumps thinking about it. The staff said that I would have to pay $250 more to stay in the original building that was in the pictures. That would make it way more expensive than the average cost of a 5-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, so of course, I left!

Long story short, when you look for 5-star hotels in Vietnam other than the ones I recommend below and see brands that you don’t recognize, practice extra caution.

When you see a 5-star hotel deal that is below $80/night, check the pictures of the actual room. If the hotel has stunning pictures of facilities and amenities but doesn’t show the room and the bathroom, I wouldn’t trust that deal!

2. 💲Agoda typically offers the best hotel prices in Asia, including Vietnam

I remember when I traveled to Phu Quoc six years ago, I thought Agoda was a scam because its price was so much cheaper than other travel booking sites. However, I realized that Agoda is part of Priceline.com, based in Singapore with operations in Bangkok and the Phillippines.

No wonder why Agoda has the largest inventory in Asia. Although lesser known in North America and Europe, Agoda is the best accommodation site for Asia, including Vietnam. They constantly run hotel and resort deals for Asia, so you should be able to find some great hotel rates.

3. 🤝Seasonal Deals by Hotel Partners

Many hotels partner with tourism companies for incredible deals to promote during the low season. For example, I paid $170 for a voucher including one night in Vinpearl Ha Long with breakfast and two seaplane rides over Ha Long Bay, which would have cost almost $500 separately. This type of voucher is non-refundable and only available on a fixed date.

You typically won’t be able to pay by credit card and will have to transfer the full amount of money in advance to the travel companies for the voucher. This definitely leaves a loophole for scams, but if you can work with trusted sources, it is one of the best ways to experience luxury in Vietnam for cheap.

If you have flexibility, feel free to drop me a message with the date range of your travel and your preferred destinations in Vietnam. I can get back to you if there are vouchers available for your travel dates!

☀️Flexible with your travel dates to Vietnam and looking for the best luxury deals? Contact me for help with planning your itinerary!

Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Vietnam FAQs

Key Takeaways – Best Hotels & Resorts In Vietnam

Other than offering spectacular mountains, emerald paddy fields, golden beaches, and numerous historical sites, Vietnam also has many affordable luxury hotels and resorts that attract millions of tourists every year. There are plenty of 5-star hotels across the country, but I have listed my picks of the best 15 hotels and resorts in Vietnam based on the five criteria of location, price, service, facilities, and amenities. I hope that my guide would help you choose the best hotels or resorts in Vietnam for your trip!

There is really no need to scratch your head trying to narrow it down. You can easily mix and match a variety of experiences in one incredible Bali honeymoon package or itinerary.

In this article, I will help you customize a Bali honeymoon package with an itinerary that covers the best honeymoon resorts and signature Bali experiences.

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and a full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and enables me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

Have You Got These Items For Your Trip Yet?

• Credit Card: I recommend Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Flights & Accommodations: I recommend Expedia
• Car Rental: I recommend Discover Cars
• Travel Accessories: I recommend Amazon Coupons
• Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator 

Bali Honeymoon Package & Itinerary FAQs

Is Bali Good for Honeymoon?

A Bali honeymoon can be anything that you want it to be. In fact, it’s not just about having a fabulous beach vacation in the tropics or a magical hiking adventure. There are so many options for you and your loved one to explore!

You can relax at a beachfront cliffside resort in Uluwatu or redefine the definition of relaxing with a camel ride by the white sand beach at Hilton Bali Resort in Nusa Dua Alternatively, you can be more active with a scuba dive looking for sharks in Nusa Lembongan, climb the active volcano Mount Agung, or learn how to surf in the former fishing village Kuta.

When you get tired of sinking in the blue water or chilling at the beach, you can try a jungle swing or soak in the rich Bali culture with a visit to famous Hindu temples. Other than having romantic moments and interesting excursions, you can take it slow with yoga classes or spice up the night with fun nightlife events and bar hopping.

And the best part is that you can have a luxurious honeymoon package in Bali without costing an arm or a leg. Pamper yourself like kings and queens for a fraction of what you would pay in Maldives or Hawaii.

☕️ 🏊 Floating breakfast is a must-try in Bali! Check out the best hotels with floating breakfast in a private infinity pool for a romantic experience!

Is Bali An Affordable Honeymoon Destination?

Even though Bali is the most expensive tourist destination in Indonesia, it can still be incredibly cheap for a luxurious vacation compared to other popular places around the world. In other words, Bali can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be.

There are affordable modern boutique hotels that would cost you less than $50 per night. There are also honeymoon villas in Bali that would cost you less than $100. On the other hand, there are 5-star luxury resorts like the Four Seasons, the Edge Bali Villa, and the Hanging Gardens of Bali that could cost more than $1000 per night.

Even though some Bali luxury honeymoon resorts and villas may be comparable in price to other popular honeymoon destinations in the world, you will still be able to save a lot of money on food, activities, spa treatments, and transportation.

How much does a Bali honeymoon cost?

The definition of cheap or expensive is really relative, so let’s dig a little deeper into the cost of a Bali honeymoon package. The truth is that it was possible for me to create a one-week itinerary in Bali for as low as $1,800 and as high as $15,000. As I said before, Bali can really be as cheap or as expensive as you would like it to be. It wouldn’t surprise me if you spend more or less than that for 7 days in Bali. Here is how to break down the cost:

Accommodations

Accommodations are a big piece of the honeymoon price tag in Bali, but that doesn’t mean it will have to be expensive. Of course, if you choose a villa pool room in a branded luxury resort as your accommodation, it could cost you more than $10,000 for one week. However, you can find a decent one-week stay in a boutique hotel for as low as $500 or try “glamping” in Bali and it would only cost $200-$300 per week (see options below).

Transportation

Transportation in Bali is very cheap. If you want to try renting a moped to explore Bali on your own, it only costs $5 to $7 per day. If you hire a private car with a driver/guide, you can pay anywhere from $47 to $100 per day depending on the type of car and the number of hours.

Food

Breakfast is usually included in your hotel stay. You can pay a small fee to upgrade it to a floating breakfast. For special occasions, you can have a nice romantic dinner (2 or 3 courses) with candle lights and flowers for $30 to $70 per couple. For cheap eating options, you can pay as little as $40 per day.

Spa

There are several spas in hotels and resorts in Bali. Their prices vary depending on whether it is a 5-star luxury resort or a small boutique hotel. In general, you can have a flower bath and a body scrub for as low as $30. You can also get the two-hour package Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment for $45. The package includes a foot wash, Bali massage, a “lulur” scrub, body moisturizer, and flower bath.

Activities

Entrance fees to attractions vary from $5 to $20 if you hire a private driver or explore on your own. However, there are several day sightseeing tours and activities that cost as low as $50 to $70 per day.

Bali Honeymoon Package/Romantic Getaway Package

Some hotels in Bali offer a romantic getaway package that would be perfect for a honeymoon! They include not only the hotel rooms but also romantic dinner and decoration as well as other perks, e.g. Tanah Gajah Resort 3D2N and Kamandala Ubud 3D2N.

What is the best month to go to Bali?

There are only two seasons in Bali: the rainy season and the dry season. The best time to visit Bali in terms of having the best weather would be between April and October during the dry season. However, the best time to visit Bali for a bargain at hotels and attractions would be between December and February. It will be humid and rainy, but you will be able to experience a less crowded Bali at a much cheaper price.

How Safe Is Bali?

Bali is generally safe, but you should always watch out for scams and pickpockets. If someone presents something to you that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always practice caution when someone approaches you or stays too close to you in public. Keep your valuables safe at the hotel or be mindful of where you put them when you go out.

How to plan a Honeymoon Trip to Bali

1. Book your Honeymoon Decoration

Honeymoon decoration is the first thing that will differentiate your honeymoon trip from all your other vacations! Imagine how sweet it would be to arrive at a honeymoon suite with swan towels in bed, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chilled champagne. Yet that is not the limit to what you could get in Bali, Indonesia.

Bali honeymoon resorts and villas have taken it to the next level with extra delicacies such as special wording “happy honeymoon” in rose petals on your bed, flower decoration in a bathtub, candlelight dinner decoration, flower decoration “I love you” in the private pool, or flower path leading to the bed, etc.

Complimentary Honeymoon Decoration

Who doesn’t love free stuff? These hotels will add some simple honeymoon decorations to your stay for free. You can add “Honeymoon” to your special request and then confirm with the hotel in an email after you receive a booking confirmation. You may add extra flowers and balloons for as low as $10.

Legian Beach Hotel – a budget-friendly hotel just five kilometers from the international airport featuring traditional Balinese architecture.

Veluvana Bali – It is not an exaggeration to say that every corner of this unique bamboo house is “Instagrammable”. Take a look and judge yourself!

Munduk Moding Plantation – The award-winning hotel offers some of the best views with a truly magical infinity pool that will make you feel like you are walking on Cloud 9. You can also order a heart-shaped floating breakfast to your villa pool.

Affordable Bali Honeymoon Package

Hideout Cocoon Bali: For an extra charge of 800,000 IDR (55 USD), you can add a honeymoon package with flower and candle decoration, a 3-course dinner for a couple, and two full-body Balinese Massages!

Wakanda Resort A Pramana Experience Bali – this hotel is newly built in 2021 and offers great promotional prices for the room as well as a honeymoon package. For as low as 550,000 IDR per couple, you can add a hand bouquet, honeymoon bed decoration, a honeymoon cake, and a flower bath. Another 440,000 IDR will get you a two-course romantic dinner with free candlelight and flower decoration.

Bali Honeymoon Villas

They are called Bali Honeymoon Villas for a reason: they specialize in honeymoon services! You will find that most of these villas have a very similar modern layout, an outdoor pool, and a bathtub. The scenes offer exclusivity for couples to enjoy their time together.

The price for the rooms and honeymoon package in these Bali honeymoon villas don’t vary much. You can expect the extra charge for your honeymoon package at these Bali villas to be around the following ranges:

1. Floating Tray for floating breakfast: 100,000 IDR to 150,000 IDR
2. Fun float (unicorn, flamingo, etc): 80,000 to 100,000 IDR
3. Romantic candle light dinner: 800,000 to 1,200,000 IDR (depending on number of courses and type of beverage)
4. Floating candle light in the pool: 150,000 IDR
5. Romantic full flower decoration in the pool (with special wording “I love you”, “Happy Honeymoon”, “Happy Anniversary”, ” Will You Marry Me?”): 700,000 IDR to 900,000 IDR
6. Fresh flower petals or slice fresh fruit (heart-shaped) decoration on bathtub: 120,000 IDR to 250,000 IDR
7. Floating “I <3 U” flower tray in the pool and flower bath: 300,000 IDR to 450,000 IDR
8. Full Romantic on the Bed (balloons, rose petals, champagne, flower bouquet, strawberry chocolate): 400,000 IDR to 600,000 IDR

The most popular affordable honeymoon villas in Bali are:

Aksari Villa Seminyak

Ayona Villa Bali

Aleva Villa

The Jimbaran Villa

Kaamala Resort Ubud

Aksari Resort Ubud

2. Order your Floating Breakfast

No visit to Bali would be complete without a signature floating breakfast! Floating breakfast in Bali has set the trend for many hotels in the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific over the past few years. It has become even more popular amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Floating breakfast is a continental breakfast served in a tray floating in a pool or a hot tub. It usually includes toast, pastries, fruit, coffee, and the like, then decorated with tropical flowers. It offers not only a cooling sensation in the mid of Bali’s hot and humid weather but also great shots for social media.

Floating breakfast in Bali can be free (included in the hotel room price) or has an extra charge of up to 250 USD. The typical price for a floating breakfast in Bali ranges from 100,000 IDR (7 USD) to 800000 IDR (56 USD) on top of your hotel price. You can get a floating breakfast to be delivered to your hotel or villa pool for as low as 26 USD. Alternatively, you can book excursions that include a floating breakfast or a floating lunch for a cost of 100 USD to 250 USD per person.

⭐Get a Floating Breakfast Delivered to Your Hotel Pool for Only $26!

Some of the popular options to book your floating breakfast are:

The Edge Bali Villa – Luxury

The Edge Bali Villa in Uluwatu is one of the best luxury resorts in Bali. It has a clear glass-bottom sky pool extending 6.5 meters over the cliff edge and panoramic ocean views from the top of the island.

The Edge Bali Villa only allows one booking of a floating breakfast per day at the Cliff Pool from 8 AM to 9 AM. If it is not available for your stay, you can still order a floating breakfast at your private villa pool!

❤️Book The Edge Bali Floating Breakfast with Spa Treatment here!

Kamandalu Ubud – Upscale/Luxury

Kamandalu Ubud is one of the most romantic resorts in Bali, with luxurious villas built to resemble a traditional village of Ubud in the past. This hotel also features a unique heart-shaped infinity pool and a function room that can host private wedding parties.

You can book a 3-day 2-night Honeymoon Package at the Kamandala Ubud for $870 that includes:

• Airport pick-up
• 2 nights’ stay in a Garden Pool Villa
• Daily breakfast
• One time 3-course candlelit garden dinner
• One time floating breakfast in private pool
• Balinese decoration in front of your villa upon arrival
• Welcome drink, cold towel and flower upon arrival
• Fruit basket in the villa
• Flower petals in bath
• Honeymoon cake
• Wi-Fi in the villa and around the resort
• Daily scheduled shuttle service to Ubud centre
• Daily two bottles of mineral water in the villa
• One time free mini bar in the villa

This hassle-free honeymoon package at Kamandala Ubud in Bali provides great value for your money. It takes care of you from the moment you get off at the airport!

Tanah Gajah Resort – Upscale/Affordable

Tanah Gajah Resort offers a luxury 2-night stay voucher at a very budget-friendly price – $435! This getaway voucher is great for your luxury honeymoon under budget as it gives you a lot of amazing perks:

• 2-night stay at one bedroom suite (option to upgrade to a one-bed villa with private pool)
• 1 floating breakfast experience
• 1 three-course romantic dinner for two people or a 60-minute couple spa ritual
• Personal butler service
• Daily a la carte breakfast
• Seasonal fresh fruits delivered to your suite
• Daily afternoon tea from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Daily sunset cocktails from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• All snacks and beverages including an alcoholic selection from the minibar (replenished once daily)
• Daily laundry service for up to 6 pieces per person (excluding dry cleaning)
• Wi-Fi access in the suite/villa and public areas
• Access to the tennis court and health club

Floating Breakfast and Hot Air Balloon Experience

Floating Breakfast and Hot Air Balloon Experience costs 213 USD per couple and lasts approximately 3 hours. Begin your day with a floating breakfast served with a bottle of sparkling wine on a wooden boat tray at the iconic infinity pool of Tanah Gaja. After that, your guide will take you to fly in a hot air balloon and witness spectacular views over the lush tropical forests of Ubud.

3. Schedule Your Flower Bath & Spa

Now let’s carry on the romantic vibe of your honeymoon with a flower bath and spa treatment. You may be able to order the service at your hotel, but if you would like to experience other resort amenities (especially the expensive luxury ones), these are a few notable packages!

The Edge Bali Floating Breakfast with Spa Treatment

With the price starting from 213 USD per person, this package allows you to have a floating breakfast at The Edge Bali Villa‘s famous cliff pool. In addition, you will be able to choose one of the following packages:

• Bliss Treatment – a spa treatment with tropical salt mousse rejuvenating body massage and a white lotus organic facial
• Oceanic Ritual – a spa treatment with seaweed body wash, oceanic body scrub, and blue water wrap oceanic massage
• Sacred Flower Ritual Treatment – sacred flower body wash, fresh flower scrub, and flower steam wrap sacred flower massage
• Dewi Sri Ritual – black rice scrub, lotus seed & herb steam wrap, cinnamon & orange body wash hot stone massage

Hanging Gardens of Bali Spa Package

Instead of paying several hundred to a thousand dollars per night to stay at Hanging Gardens of Bali, you can gain entrance to the luxury resort with this spa package. For $109 per person, you will receive a luxurious massage consisting of all-natural and organic ingredients in a spa overlooking the waterfalls of the holy Ayung River.

Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment in Nusa Dua

This budget-friendly Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment ($45) includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Nusa Dua, a welcome drink, and a 2-hour spa treatment. Relax as your professional therapist gives you a traditional massage for 1 hour, a 5-minute foot washing, a 25-minute scrub, and a 15-minute yogurt moisturizer. You will conclude your spa treatment with a 15-minute flower bath.

Kaveri Spa at The Udaya Resorts and Spa

Kaveri Spa at The Udaya Resorts and Spa is one of the most popular spas in Bali. You can stay here for as low as $100 per night and get a discount for your spa treatment. Alternatively, you can book a 45-minute flower bath for 726,000 IDR per couple or a 120-minute spa package starting at 800,000 IDR per person.

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa is another popular spa resort in Bali. You can get a 30-minute flower bath or herbal bath at Maya Ubud for 275,000 IDR per person ($20). The most “fancy ” spa package here costs 2,450,000 IDR and lasts 180 minutes. It includes an exotic traditional Maya massage, a body scrub, a flower bath, and a rejuvenating facial!

4. Book a Signature Bali Swing

Bali swing, also known as jungle swing or rope swing is another must-try thing to do in Bali! There are typically three swing levels that you can try with different heights of 5 meters, 15 meters, and 20 meters. For the brave souls, there are extreme swings that could go to 45 meters and Super Extreme Swings that could go 60 meters above the ground.

Bali Swing attracts a lot of tourists that are hungry for Instagrammable moments. In order to avoid a long wait time, try to arrange with your private driver to go early when it opens at around 8 AM. Below are a few tours that include Bali Swing.

Ubud: Jungle Swing Private Tour

This jungle swing private tour will take you to experience the hidden beauty of Bali and visit Pengelipuran Village, known as one of the world’s cleanest villages. Witness the daily lives of the residents and imagine how it would be living in such a beautiful village. Afterward, enjoy a jungle swing and swim in the Tukad Cepung Waterfall before heading back.

Best of Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest

This private tour is great to explore the cultural and artistic center of Ubud. Enjoy a visit to Batuan Temple, the Ubud Monkey Forest, and have a lunch overlooking the lush green rice paddies and river valleys.

Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour – Option to Upgrade for Drone Footage

This tour is a great option not only for those who want to live that “Instagram lifestyle” but also for those who would like to capture their honeymoon moments in a photo album or video footage. Starting at $77 per person for a private tour, this excursion will take you to the most popular Bali’s Instagram hotspots. An upgrade is available for you to add a photographer with 10 edited photos or drone footage (3-4 minute video).

Floating Breakfast, Jungle Swing & Spa Romantic Tour

This full-day tour offers a great combination of the must-do things in Bali for $292 per couple. You will start the day with a floating breakfast at a natural pool in the lush jungle of Ubud, then take a walk in nature where the guide will explain to you about Balinese culture and the famous irrigation system at Tegallalang rice terrace. After that, you will enjoy a jungle swing with the background of a rice terrace. At the end of a long day full of activities, indulge in a 90-minute spa treatment before heading back to the hotel!

5. Experience Bali’s Unique Lodging/Glamping

Glamping is a combination of “glamorous” and “camping. It is an authentic way to connect with nature while not part way with modern luxury. You can think of glamping as camping with amenities and resort-style services that are not usually associated with regular camping.

Glamping in Bali can cost anywhere from $30 to $250 per night. For couples that love nature and enjoy adventure, this will add a nice touch to your honeymoon itinerary in Bali!

Veluvana Bali Villa

Veluvana Bali Villa is a unique bamboo house located in the small town of Sidemen with a magnificent landscape. It is not a touristy area (about a 45-minute drive from Ubud), but it is not too far from a lot of tourist destinations in Bali. Some of them are Lempuyang Temple (The Gateway to Heaven), Besakih (The Mother Temple of Bali), Tirta Gangga Royal Water Palace, Telaga Waja River for Rafting, Amed Diving Spot, and Bias Putih the Virgin Beach.

Climb up to the upper level of the bamboo house and you will feel like you walk into a different world! The bamboo bedroom facing north of the Sidemen Valley has beautiful lush views. Half of the room wall is windows with transparent glass that allows natural sunlight. The bathroom and shower are semi-open, so it will give you a true sense of being in nature.

Another unique feature of this bamboo house is the hanging net! This is also a popular “item” on Instagram. You can lay back and chill in this hanging net while enjoying the magnificent view of Mount Agung. Don’t forget to bring pillows and blankets to the net for either a relaxing space or a beautiful setup for your honeymoon photoshoot.

Hideout Cocoon Bali

Hideout Cocoon Bali offers one of a kind experience. It will give you a feeling of staying in a bamboo modern spaceship flying through the Karangasem jungle. There is a bonfire, a Riverview jacuzzi, and an outdoor shower with hot water.

Menjangan Dynasty Resort

Menjangan Dynasty is a 5-star resort for glamping! You will be camping in nature, but there is 24-hour room service, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. This hotel is close to the beach and offers top-class recreational facilities such as boats, an outdoor infinity pool overlooking a lagoon, and a spa.

Own Villa Bali

Own Villa Bali features a Sumatran-style lodging nestled within lush tropical greenery. It is not too far from the airport and only a 15-minute drive from Seminyak and Canggu. It is also a 30-minute drive from Tanah Lot Temple, a famous Bali tourist destination known for its stunning sunsets. For maximum comfort, Own Villa Bali offers in-room massage and spa services.

Bali Beach Glamping

Bali Beach Glamping was built in 2020. It offers luxury tents for camping by the ocean for as low as $60 per night. A nice thing about staying here is that you can experience horseback riding right from the resort, through the rice fields, and on the beach during sunset. The cost is 800,000 IDR per person for 1.5 hours!

If horse riding by the beach is on your to-do list in Bali, Hilton Bali Resort also has the service.

Igloo Glamping Bali

Starting at $30 per night, it is one of the cheapest glamping accommodations in Bali. You can stay in an igloo here for 1/10 of what you would pay for an igloo in Scandinavia! Igloo Glamping Bali is located only 2.6 miles from Mount Batur, making it a great spot to stay if you want to catch the sunrise hike in Mount Batur.

Bali Honeymoon Itinerary for Over-Achievers

Bali honeymoon is the type where you can do it all or do nothing at all! There are so many honeymoon resorts in Bali that are dedicated to spa treatment and relaxation. However, if you are an over-achiever like me and want to experience the best of Bali in a limited amount of time, it’s worth checking out this 7-day itinerary.

If you stay longer than 7 days for your honeymoon, you can add more time to relax at a honeymoon resort or a unique glamping lodging. If you plan to stay for two weeks, you can add Gili Islands to your Bali honeymoon itinerary.

One-Week Bali Honeymoon Itinerary

My biggest pet peeve when traveling is losing too much time on the road. Since Bali has so many attractions in different areas, I have created this itinerary to stay in different areas that reduce travel time to the next destination. This one-week Bali Honeymoon itinerary will also give you an opportunity to stay at a different resort almost every day throughout the week.

If you don’t like moving from resort to resort, you can still plan this itinerary with your private driver, but expect to get back later at night each day.

Day 1 – Welcome to Bali for Honeymoon!

Stay in Jimbaran Beach (e.g The Jimbaran Honeymoon Villa) to avoid a long ride from the airport. Book honeymoon decoration and relax after a long flight.

Day 2 – Floating Breakfast and Spa Treatment in Uluwatu

Enjoy Floating Breakfast with Spa Treatment at The Edge Bali, then visit Uluwatu Temple. Stay in Sanur for the night so you can easily get on the ferry for Nusa Penida in the morning.

Day 3 – Nusa Penida

After a full-day tour in Nusa Penida, get dropped off at a hotel in Ubud. Have a candle-lit dinner at a Bali honeymoon resort or explore dining options in downtown Ubud.

Day 4 – Ubud

Visit the Best of Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest, then stay the night at one of these hotels near Lempuyang Temple. For diving and snorkeling lovers, it’s best to further filter for a stay in Ahmed Beach and add one more day for water activities.

Lempuyang Temple (The Gate of Heaven) is a very popular Instagram hotspot and cultural destination, so you may even have to stay in line if you get there at 6 AM. If you start from Ubud, it may take you from 2 to 2.5 hours due to traffic (yes, there could be traffic starting at 6 AM). That’s why a lot of tours to Lempuyang Temple start at 4 AM. Therefore, staying at hotels near Lempuyang Temple will allow you to sleep in a little and avoid the long line.

Day 5 – Lempuyang Temple & Tirta Gangga

Ask your driver/guide to take you to Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, and nearby scenic points then end the day at a hotel in Sanur, Seminyak, or Legian Beach.

Day 6 – Surfing in Seminyak or Legian Beach

Enjoy water sports such as surfing in Seminyak or Legian Beach. Leave for Tanah Lot in the afternoon to catch the sunset at the temple, then have dinner at La Plancha – a beachfront Spanish tapas restaurant & bar that is famous for tables under colorful umbrellas.

Day 7 – Relax at a Honeymoon Resort or Villa

Relax at your honeymoon resort or villa and perhaps enjoy another flower bath or massage. If you stay at Bali Beach Glamping, add a nice touch to your honeymoon trip with a camel ride at the beach!

Key Takeaways – Bali Honeymoon Package/Itinerary

Bali is the perfect place for a honeymoon because of its variety of options and affordability. I hope that this guide has helped you have a better idea of what you would like for your honeymoon package in Bali.

When choosing a resort or a villa for your Bali honeymoon, pay attention to the aspect that is most important to you. Is it the infinity pool, the view, the floating breakfast, the flower bath, or the romantic dinner? In terms of location, do you want to stay in a honeymoon villa hidden in the jungle or a resort at the center of the city?

For those who prefer an all-inclusive type of deal, both the Honeymoon Package at Kamandalu and Romantic Getaway Package at Tanah Gajah Resort would offer great value. You can book both of them for a stay of 5 days 4 nights and enjoy all the honeymoon perks.

Those that are adventurers at heart can use my one-week Bali honeymoon itinerary for a more diversified experience. If you have more than 7 days in Bali, consider adding a tour to Gili Islands or Nusa Lembongan.

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