Going to Vietnam During Tet

activ8newbs on 19/01/2017 - 18:18
Last edited 19/01/2017 - 19:13 by 1 other user

Hi all,

Despite being warned by fellow Ozbargainers (I can't remmeber who it was), I still went ahead adn booked a holiday from 26th Jan-6th Feb to Vietnam.

It's right in the middle of Tet. I land at HCM City on the 27th early morning. I'm travelling solo, and across the 11 or 12 days, I plan to make my way all teh way up to the North, including Ha Long Bay. Some places include, HCM City, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hoi An, and so on.

My trip is only a week away, and now I keep getting people tell me that I REALLY shouldn't have booked during Tet. Can anyone please offer advise/consolation?

I plan to do a lot of shopping/suits and tours across Mekong Delta, and cooking tours. along with Sky Deck Financial Tower and so on. I really hope everything isn't closed. I jsut assumed that all the touristy stuff would remain open? Any thoughts?

Thanks

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 18:47
    +1

    Enjoy the festivities and the culture!

  • tomleonhart on 19/01/2017 - 18:59
    +1

    I'm in VN atm waiting for Tet.

    A lot of shop will close on 28/29 as it's the first and second day of new year.

    Really hard to say what will remain open and what's not. I guess you'll just have take your chance.

  • dasher86 on 19/01/2017 - 19:18
    +1

    If you're staying in decent accommodation you'll be taken care of.
    Failing that try befriend some unistudents, who knows you may even get an invite to celebrate with them.

    • activ8newbs on 19/01/2017 - 19:30

      Staying in backpacker hostels :/

      • indium on 19/01/2017 - 19:52
        +1

        Have heard that tourism industry is affected for only the first 3 days of tet. You'll be fine :)

        Have found hostel staff to be more personal than hotel staff, just check and read the reviews, accommodation won't be a problem. I will also be in Vietnam during tet and plan to park myself on a beach.

        • activ8newbs on 19/01/2017 - 20:13

          PHEW!

          Hahaha, your username couldn't be more relevant.

      • dasher86 on 19/01/2017 - 20:42
        +1

        Excellent. They tend to be better if it's a proper backpackers.
        And there will be plenty of other people in your situation.

  • od810 on 19/01/2017 - 20:35
    +1

    Many years ago, you would have trouble with shops closed during the first 3 days of Tet holiday. But recent years, some shops would open on the very first day so I don't think you have any troble. It's probably the best time to travel to Vietnam (if you don't like the chaos). Traffic is much much better. If you have chance to visit a local family, it will a great experience. Have a great holiday

    Source: I'm vietnamese

    • activ8newbs on 19/01/2017 - 20:46

      Relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • od810 on 20/01/2017 - 00:11
        +1

        If you travel to the North, it's recommended to bring some warm clothes. It could be very cold (depending to where you go).

      • od810 on 20/01/2017 - 00:13

        Another thing i forgot, you will expect things are more expensive during this period. Street food is usually about 10-20% more expensive.

  • cmdwedge on 19/01/2017 - 21:15

    Just make sure you're not too offensive.

  • John Kimble on 19/01/2017 - 22:17
    +1

    I was in HCM during Tet in 04. Not sure if it was because it was Tet or not, but everyone was super friendly. One family invited us into their (closed) shop/home to play cards!

    Once we travelled up to Hanoi, people and the temperature seemed to cool dramatically.

    My wife who is Vietnamese says everything is likely to be closed…but she hasn't been back for a while.

  • indium on 29/01/2017 - 19:01
    +1

    Well most things I heard about tet turned out to be false. Transport was only unavailable on the day of tet. Most shops were closed but plenty of restaurants and street food open without price increases. Tourist attractions were open and quite busy on the day. Heard streets would be empty and not much traffic however have found it to be busier than usual.

    It seems the Vietnamese go out with their families rather than sit at home all day.

    • John Kimble on 31/01/2017 - 12:16

      Yes, I remember one night (assuming the main Tet night) many streets were swamped with people out and about enjoying fireworks and stuff. No cars or anything could fit…much like some closed CBD roads in Sydney on NYE or Vivid, etc

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