Tet is the first day of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which is celebrated for a full week. It’s filled with cultural traditions, food, flowers, paying respects to ancestors, and time with family.
Tet occurs in January or February, depending on when the first day of the Lunar New Year falls. For 2024, Tet falls on February 10 and is celebrated from February 10 - 17, 2024.
Most restaurants close for Tet. Some are also closed the day before and the days after. It’s not impossible to find food though. Some cafés and restaurants will be open for tourists.
Buses and other public transportation continue to run during Tet and for the rest of the week. However, anything that requires a booking will be sold out in advance and prices go up a lot.
You can spend Tet anywhere in Vietnam, but staying in large cities, like Hanoi and Hoi An, ensures that there are some restaurants open. Also, cities have events and decorations that make Tet fun.