21 Vietnamese New Year Traditions: A Guide to Celebrate Tet 2023

Vietnamese New Year 2023 promises to be a week filled with exciting festivities and celebrations. Also known as Tet Nguyen Dan or simply Tet, Vietnamese New Year is the most important and widely observed holiday in Vietnam.

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.

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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.

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🧧 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.

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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).

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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!