Ho Chi Minh City During Tet 2027: What’s Open & How to Plan
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City during Tet 2027 means experiencing Saigon at a different pace. Flower displays bring colour to the city centre, families gather to celebrate, and some normally busy streets become noticeably quieter. At the same time, independent restaurants and shops may close while their owners travel home.
You can still enjoy a rewarding trip during Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. The key is to book essential services ahead, confirm opening hours directly, and leave room for changes.
This guide explains the confirmed holiday dates, which attractions have published opening policies, and how to organise your meals, transport, and sightseeing.
Planning update: October 31, 2026. Venue-specific Tet 2027 hours and event schedules should be reconfirmed closer to your visit.
When Is Tet 2027 in Ho Chi Minh City?
Tet New Year’s Day falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027, with New Year’s Eve on Friday, February 5.
Vietnam’s announced public-sector holiday runs from February 4 to February 10, 2027. Private businesses can arrange their breaks differently, so these dates do not mean that every shop, restaurant, or attraction will close for the same period. See the Vietnam Government’s 2027 holiday announcement.
| Date | Holiday milestone | How to plan |
|---|---|---|
| February 4–5 | Public holiday begins; final preparations before Tet | Confirm meals, airport transfers, and attraction hours |
| February 5 | Lunar New Year’s Eve | Reserve dinner and check any announced event restrictions |
| February 6 | First day of Tet | Keep the day flexible and use confirmed dining options |
| February 7–8 | Second and third days of Tet | Avoid relying on small businesses being open |
| February 9–10 | Later days of the public holiday | Check individual reopening notices |
| February 11 onward | After the announced public-sector break | Continue checking businesses that may take longer holidays |
For travellers, the most useful distinction is between the official holiday calendar and each business’s own opening schedule.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting During Tet?
Yes—especially if you enjoy seasonal traditions, photography, and a slower sightseeing schedule.
Tet offers a different view of the city, but it also limits spontaneous dining and shopping. Vietnam’s tourism board notes that many businesses close during the first few days and recommends booking transport and accommodation ahead. Its traveller’s guide to Tet is useful background for understanding the holiday.
If your priority is visiting particular street-food stalls, ordering tailored clothing, or shopping at small independent stores, schedule those activities outside their confirmed closure dates.
What’s Open in Ho Chi Minh City During Tet 2027?
There is no single citywide opening schedule. Use the following table as a planning guide, rather than a confirmed list of 2027 holiday hours.
| Place or service | Current information | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Palace | Official policy includes opening during Tet, except separately announced closures | Recheck notices before visiting |
| War Remnants Museum | Official website lists daily opening hours | Confirm whether a Tet 2027 exception applies |
| Hotels and hotel dining | Services depend on the property and restaurant | Ask about breakfast, dinner, and holiday menus before booking |
| Independent restaurants and cafés | Closures are common during the first days of Tet | Contact the exact business or branch |
| Shopping centres and supermarkets | Holiday hours need individual confirmation | Check dated 2027 announcements |
| Ben Thanh Market | Do not assume every stall will operate | Confirm locally if shopping is a priority |
| Tours and transfers | Availability depends on the operator | Get written confirmation for your date |
| Nguyen Hue Flower Street | An established Tet attraction; 2027 dates need confirmation | Check the event announcement before planning around it |
Independence Palace
Independence Palace, also known as Reunification Palace, is a useful attraction to consider for your holiday itinerary. Its official website states that it welcomes visitors every day, including holidays and Tet, except in special cases announced separately.
That is a published operating policy, rather than a guarantee against a future closure. Check the Independence Palace website shortly before your visit for updated access information.
War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum currently lists opening hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Sunday on its official website.
These are regular hours. Before adding the museum to a Tet-day itinerary, confirm whether it has issued a separate holiday notice.
Nguyen Hue Flower Street
Nguyen Hue’s seasonal flower displays are one of the city’s best-known Tet attractions, highlighted by Vietnam’s tourism board.
Keep the event on your shortlist, but wait for the 2027 opening dates and visiting arrangements before fixing your itinerary. Previous years’ schedules should not be treated as confirmation for 2027.
The same applies to fireworks: verify the official locations and timing before booking a rooftop table specifically for the view.
Where to Eat During Tet in Ho Chi Minh City
Food planning deserves more attention than usual during the holiday.
Start by asking your accommodation which meals it will serve on February 5–8. Then identify two nearby alternatives and contact them directly. A restaurant’s regular online listing may not reflect its Tet schedule.
Before reserving, ask:
- Will this branch open on my exact date?
- What time will the kitchen close?
- Is the regular menu available?
- Is there a holiday surcharge or compulsory set menu?
- Do I need to pay a deposit?
For arrival day, arrange a dependable meal option before you fly. This is particularly useful if you land late on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.
If you want to try traditional Tet dishes, ask restaurants or hotels whether their holiday menus include bánh tét, the cylindrical sticky-rice cake associated with southern Vietnamese celebrations. Treat menu availability as something to confirm, rather than assume.
How to Plan Transport During Tet 2027
Book intercity travel early
Tet creates heavy demand as people travel to spend the holiday with family. Vietnam’s tourism board recommends arranging flights, trains, buses, and accommodation well ahead of time. See its Tet travel advice.
Once your dates are firm, secure essential journeys before building the rest of your itinerary around them. Avoid making an important connection depend on a last-minute ticket purchase.
Arrange your airport transfer
For arrivals at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, consider booking a transfer through your hotel or a transport provider.
Request written confirmation of:
- Your arrival terminal and meeting point.
- The total price, including any holiday charges.
- Waiting arrangements if your flight is delayed.
- A contact number you can use on arrival.
Keep local journeys flexible
Check live availability and prices when using taxis or ride-hailing services. If your visit overlaps with a major celebration, allow extra time and confirm where your driver can collect you.
For a booked dinner, tour, or airport journey, a confirmed pickup is easier to plan around than an assumption about availability.
Where to Stay During Tet
For a first visit, consider accommodation around Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, or the central Ben Thanh area. These locations are practical starting points for exploring central Saigon.
During Tet, the hotel’s services matter as much as its address. Before paying, ask whether it offers:
- Reception support at your arrival time.
- Breakfast throughout your stay.
- A confirmed evening dining option.
- Airport transfers.
- Help checking restaurant and attraction schedules.
If you prefer quiet evenings, ask about nearby holiday events and request a room away from street noise where possible.
A Flexible Three-Day Tet Itinerary
This sample itinerary is designed to work around confirmed opening hours. Rearrange the days when venues publish their 2027 notices.
Day 1: Explore Central Saigon
Begin with a relaxed walk around Dong Khoi and the city centre. Take time for photographs and stop at a café whose holiday opening you have confirmed.
If Nguyen Hue Flower Street is open during your stay, include it in the day’s route. Finish with a reserved dinner so that your evening does not depend on finding an open restaurant.
Day 2: Visit a Historical Attraction
Plan a visit to Independence Palace, subject to any special announcements. Add the War Remnants Museum only after checking its holiday hours.
Keep the afternoon light. One substantial museum visit, lunch, and a short walk can make a more comfortable day than trying to fit in every landmark.
Day 3: Choose a Confirmed Tour or Explore Locally
If you would like to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or take a Mekong Delta excursion, ask your operator to confirm the full itinerary for your date.
Check which stops will operate, whether meals are included, and whether a holiday surcharge applies. If the arrangements are uncertain, keep the day for local sightseeing and a leisurely meal.
Practical Tips for a Smoother Tet Trip
Reconfirm your most important bookings
A few days before arrival, check your hotel, transfer, tours, and restaurant reservations. Save confirmation messages and contact details where you can access them easily.
Carry a sensible cash backup
Keep enough Vietnamese dong for small purchases and everyday expenses, alongside your usual payment methods. Avoid leaving essential cash arrangements until the last moment.
Ask for the final price
When booking a meal, transfer, or tour, request the total payable amount. This helps you account for holiday supplements, service charges, and deposits.
Respect family celebrations
Tet is an important family occasion. Ask before photographing people at close range and follow posted guidance at religious sites.
Do not visit a Vietnamese home without an invitation during the holiday; the first visitor of the year can carry special significance. A friendly “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới”—Happy New Year—is a welcome greeting. Vietnam Tourism explains these Tet customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is everything closed in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet?
No. Opening arrangements vary. Independence Palace publishes a policy of opening during Tet, while other attractions, restaurants, and businesses should be checked individually. Small independent businesses may close for several days.
Are restaurants open during Tet 2027?
Some will be, but a specific restaurant or branch should not be considered confirmed until it publishes its holiday hours or replies directly. Arrange meals ahead for New Year’s Eve and the first days of Tet.
Is Ben Thanh Market open during Tet?
Do not assume normal trading or that every stall will open. If visiting particular vendors is important, check their plans directly or ask your accommodation to help confirm them.
Can I book a Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta tour during Tet?
Ask operators about your exact date. Before paying, obtain confirmation of transport, guide availability, attraction access, meal arrangements, and the final price.
When do businesses return to normal?
There is no universal reopening date. The announced public-sector break ends on February 10, 2027, but private businesses may follow different schedules.
Should I visit before Tet or during Tet?
Visit before the holiday if your priority is a fuller choice of shopping and independent dining. Choose the holiday itself if seasonal atmosphere matters more and you are comfortable with a flexible itinerary.
Ho Chi Minh City during Tet 2027 rewards a little preparation. Confirm the essentials, choose a convenient base, and leave time to enjoy the city’s celebrations at your own pace.