During most of the year, Vietnam rewards fast-paced travel.
Multiple cities, packed itineraries, spontaneous detours - it all works.

Tet Lunar New Year is different.

Between February 14 and 22, 2026, Vietnam undergoes a dramatic shift. Millions of residents travel back to their hometowns, major cities empty out in unexpected ways, and some destinations flourish while others slow almost to a standstill.

For travelers, Tet is not about seeing more places - it’s about being in the right place.

This guide breaks down where Tet feels vibrant, where it feels calm, and where it can feel inconvenient, so you can align your destination with your expectations instead of fighting the rhythm of the country.

How Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) Reshapes Vietnam’s Geography

Tet doesn’t shut Vietnam down.
It redistributes energy.

Cities behave differently based on:

• Whether they are family hubs or tourism hubs
• The size of their expat population
• Reliance on domestic vs international visitors
• Resort-driven vs local economies

Understanding this helps avoid the most common Tet mistake: assuming all destinations operate the same way.

Best Cities to Experience Tet as a Traveler

1. Ho Chi Minh City: The Most Traveler-Friendly Tet Base

Ho Chi Minh City remains the easiest city to navigate during Tet.

Why it works well:

• Large expat and international population
• Tourist districts stay operational
• Restaurants and cafes reopen faster than elsewhere

What travelers experience:

• Nguyen Hue Flower Street is in full bloom
• Fireworks and countdown events
• Noticeably lighter traffic
• Active nightlife pockets

While some local neighborhoods quiet down, District 1 and surrounding areas remain functional and social.

Best for:
First-time visitors, solo travelers, digital nomads

Reliable connectivity is especially important here during Tet, as many bookings, payments, and reservations shift entirely to digital platforms.

Travelers using Vietnam eSIMs like ETravelSim find it easier to navigate reopening schedules, ride availability, and pop-up events without relying on physical counters or hotel Wi-Fi.

2. Hoi An: Tet at a Slower, More Cultural Pace

Hoi An transforms beautifully during Tet.

The lantern-lit streets, ancestral rituals, and traditional decorations create a calm, immersive experience that feels intentionally slower.

What makes Hoi An special during Tet:

• Strong cultural preservation
• Temple visits and traditional ceremonies
• Compact layout - easy to explore on foot
• Night markets reopening earlier than expected

Hoi An does not offer constant activity - but that’s the point.

Best for:
Couples, photographers, culture-focused travelers

Since many experiences here are self-guided, travelers rely heavily on maps, translation tools, and local updates - another reason uninterrupted mobile data is essential during Tet’s irregular schedules.

3. Phu Quoc: Tet Without the Slowdown

Phu Quoc operates almost independently of Tet disruption.

As a resort-driven island, it remains active throughout the holiday period.

Why it stays functional:

• High domestic vacation demand
• Fully operational resorts and tours
• Restaurants inside hotels remain open
• Organized Tet celebrations within properties

What travelers get:

• Beach access without disruption
• Stable transport options
• Predictable dining and activities

Best for:
Families, leisure travelers, and travelers avoiding uncertainty

Connectivity here matters for booking activities, coordinating transfers, and managing digital payments - especially since travelers are often moving between beaches, resorts, and towns.

4. Da Lat: Vietnam’s Tet Getaway City

Da Lat becomes one of Vietnam’s busiest destinations during Tet.

Why does it fills up:

• Cool climate
• Romantic landscape
• Popular domestic escape

What to expect:

• High hotel demand
• Crowded cafes and viewpoints
• Festive atmosphere throughout the city

Da Lat offers Tet energy without a cultural shutdown, but planning is essential.

Best for:
Travelers seeking scenery plus festive movement

During peak days, transport and attraction timing changes frequently, making real-time navigation and updates critical.

Cities That Can Feel Challenging During Tet

Hanoi: Beautiful, Traditional - and Very Quiet

Hanoi during Tet is deeply cultural and noticeably still.

What changes:

• Local neighborhoods empty out
• Small eateries close
• Business districts go silent

What remains:

• Temples and pagodas
• Old Quarter walking routes
• Cultural spaces

Hanoi rewards slow travelers who appreciate silence and introspection.

Best for:
Repeat visitors, culture-first travelers
Challenging for:
First-time visitors expecting variety and nightlife

Smaller Towns and Industrial Cities

Many smaller cities experience near-total shutdowns.

Common issues:

• Limited transport availability
• Minimal tourist infrastructure
• Few dining options
• Reduced ride-hailing services

Unless you have local connections or a specific reason to visit, these destinations can feel isolating during Tet.

How Tet Affects Moving Between Cities?

Between February 14 and 18, intercity movement becomes difficult.

Expect:

• Train tickets are selling out early
• Flight prices are increasing sharply
• Road travel slowing significantly

This is when travelers rely most on:

• Digital boarding passes
• Ride-hailing apps
• Real-time schedule updates
• Online bookings

Having uninterrupted data access becomes a necessity, not a convenience.

Many travelers now activate their Vietnam eSIM before arrival, avoiding airport SIM queues during the busiest travel week of the year.

ETravelSim’s Vietnam eSIM supports this travel style:

• One plan across multiple cities
• No SIM swapping during transit
• Immediate connectivity upon landing

Choosing the Right City Based on Your Travel Style

If you want culture:
Hoi An, selected areas of Hanoi

If you want ease and flexibility:
Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc

If you want scenery with energy:
Da Lat

If you want balance:
Ho Chi Minh City before Tet, Phu Quoc during Tet

The Biggest Tet Travel Mistake

Trying to see too much.

Tet is not designed for fast movement. Transportation slows, schedules change, and spontaneity often replaces structure. This season rewards travelers who plan with intention, not intensity.

Tet rewards:

• Fewer cities
• Longer stays
• Flexible plans

It also rewards travelers who simplify their logistics. When services are limited and shops are closed, having reliable mobile data becomes essential for navigation, updates, ride bookings, and translations.

Setting up a Vietnam travel eSIM before arriving ensures you stay connected without hunting for SIM cards during the busiest time of the year.

Travelers who slow down their itinerary and sort out essentials like connectivity in advance experience less stress and gain a deeper, more meaningful experience of Tet

Final Thought: Tet Rewards the Right Choice, Not the Most Choices

Vietnam during Tet can be deeply rewarding but only when your destination and preparation align with your expectations.

Pick a city that supports your travel style.
Prepare for slower rhythms.
Handle connectivity before arrival.

Using an international eSIM allows you to stay online even when local stores are closed, plans change, or transport options shift unexpectedly. With data already active, logistics fade into the background no SIM swaps, no roaming surprises.

When preparation is done right, Tet becomes less about inconvenience and more about insight giving you space to observe, reflect, and truly experience Vietnam at its most meaningful moment.