Top 10 Traditional Tet Activities Vietnamese People Do

Vietnamese families prepare for Tet weeks in advance, focusing on activities that honor ancestors, bring good luck, and foster community. Here’s a curated list of must-experience “Tet holiday activities Vietnam,” drawn from timeless traditions. Join our Piu Piu Travel tours to participate hands-on!

1. House Cleaning and Decorating: Weeks before Tet, families deep-clean homes to “sweep away” bad luck and decorate with peach blossoms (North), apricot flowers (South), kumquat trees, red lanterns, and parallel couplets (poetic wishes on red paper). Tourists can join eco-friendly cleanups or home decoration workshops in Hanoi for a sustainable twist.

2. Making Banh Chung (Sticky Rice Cakes): This iconic activity involves wrapping glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork in banana leaves – a family bonding ritual. Participate in cooking classes in Hoi An or Hue, where you’ll learn the symbolism of abundance.

3. Visiting and Cleaning Ancestors’ Graves: A respectful custom to honor the deceased. Tourists can observe or join guided visits in rural areas like Dong Thap, aligning with 2026’s rural cultural tourism surge.

4. Preparing the Five-Fruit Tray (Mam Ngu Qua): Arrange fruits like custard apples, coconuts, papayas, mangoes, and figs on altars for prosperity. Experience this in family home visits during our Tet tours.

5. Shopping at Tet Markets: Bustling flower markets (cho hoa) and Tet fairs overflow with decorations, sweets, and gifts. Stroll Hanoi’s Quang Ba Flower Market or Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant stalls for an immersive “what to do during Tet in Vietnam” highlight.

6. Giving Lucky Money (Li Xi): Elders gift red envelopes with money to children for good fortune. As a tourist, you might receive one during community events – a fun cultural exchange!

7. Lion and Dragon Dances: Energetic performances ward off evil spirits. Catch them in streets or temples in major cities like Da Nang, often accompanied by fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

8. Playing Traditional Games: Try bau cua (dice gambling with animals), co tuong (chess), or nem con (throwing balls). These are popular at festivals and family gatherings.

9. Ancestral Worship and Family Reunions: Offerings on altars and shared meals like mut (candied fruits) emphasize gratitude. Join hosted dinners in our tours for an authentic feel.

10. Temple Visits and Blessings: Pray at pagodas like Viet Nam Quoc Tu for New Year wishes. This spiritual activity is ideal for wellness-focused travelers in 2026.

Tips for Tourists During Tet

• Do’s: Book early (hotels fill up), respect customs (remove shoes indoors), try local foods sustainably.
• Don’ts: Avoid littering (align with eco-trends), don’t visit homes uninvited, prepare for closures.

Tet Tourism Trends 2026

In 2026, Tet travel emphasizes cultural depth over leisure, with surges in bookings for rural experiences like spring feasts and community gatherings. Vietnamese travelers explore home destinations like Nha Trang and Da Nang, creating a festive mix for internationals. For foreigners, focus on “traveling in Vietnam during Tet” for colors and meaning, with demand up for eco-tours and family-style immersions.

Ready to experience Tet in Vietnam for tourists? Book your personalized tour with Piu Piu Travel today – from Hanoi heritage walks to Hoi An lantern festivals. Contact us for 2026 packages. Let’s make your Tet unforgettable!