How to Enjoy Lunar New Year in Saigon 2018 – Vietnamese Tet Festival

The Lunar New Year in Saigon 2018 promises overseas travelers to get lots of delightful memories of Vietnamese Tet in the charming city. Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) is famed for its bustling vibe on the normal weekdays and weekends, but during Tết, the city turns to be somehow charming and different as many people leave Saigon and come back to their hometowns for the family gathering. Let’s see how you can enjoy the Vietnamese Tet Festival in Saigon in a fresh way.

A Quick Talk of Vietnamese Tet Festival

Tết or Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival is the most significant celebration in the Vietnamese culture as well as the major national festival across the country that all Vietnamese cherish. According to the Georgian Calendar 2018, the Tet date is February 16. But, even the days leading to Tet and the days following it mark the celebrations and activities of the festive vibe. This year, the national holiday of Tết takes place from February 14^th to February 20^th, 2018 (equivalent to the period from December 29^th to January 5^th on the Lunar Calendar).

The preparation to welcome Tết is done in almost every corner of the country, from house to house. People cook some certain New Year dishes, clean their houses, buy new clothes, and do homage to their ancestors. You can feel the air of joy and relaxation covers the whole country. Interestingly, on the first day of Tết, children will receive the red envelop including “lucky money” from the adults and they exchange the best wishes of the coming New Year.

Top Things to Do in Saigon in Tet Festival – The Year of Dog

#1: Enjoy Fireworks in the City Center – Colorful Tet in Saigon 2018

On February 15^th, 2018 (equivalent to the 30^th of December on Lunar Calendar), Ho Chi Minh City delivers the unforgettable memories to all via the sparkling fireworks. The spirit is high while fun is boundless, but the traffic jam and crowd might discourage some individuals. Like everywhere in the world, Saigon witnesses the big crowds who share the interest in seeing fireworks and savoring time with friends and family members. At midnight, the fireworks will be shot off. The best spots to view the fireworks are Bitexco Tower, District 2 across Saigon River, and various other places nearby the city center.

#2: Have Fun at Nguyen Hue Walking Street – Exciting New Year in Saigon 2018

Nguyen Hue Street will turn to be the Flower Street to serve all visitors in seven festive days of Tết (from February 13^th to February 19^th, 2018). You will marvel at the flowery artworks made from the fresh beautiful flowers and the artists’ creativity. Certainly, this Flower Street offers a countless number of flattering corners for taking “selfie” photos and videos.

Also, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the attractive venue for everybody to hang out especially at night in Saigon on the occasion of the Tet holiday. You can expect to watch the exciting parades and music performances in this area. The Saigonese are likely to gather in Nguyen Hue Street, take photographs, have fun, eat and drink, etc., until the time of firework shooting around midnight. Certainly, this place of District 1 provides the decent view of the fireworks in Saigon.

#3: Visit Local Famous Temples and Pagodas – Meaningful Time in Saigon Tet 2018

Visiting the temples and pagodas on the first day of the New Year is what many Vietnamese people prefer to do. So if you are in Saigon in the event of Tet 2018, spend time coming to do homage to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Giac Lam Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, or Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. In any of these well-known religious spots, you can pray for the best of the New Year and feel the Saigonese’s spiritual life in an authentic way. Surely, this will become the meaningful and memorable experience to cherish in the city. Wishing that The Year of Dog will bring heaps of blessings to you and your loved ones!

#4: Unwind at Rooftop Bars and Pubs – The Best of Saigon Nightlife in Tet

On any day of the Tet Festival in Saigon, it’s a must to have at least one night unwinding at the city bars and pubs in which you relax ultimately. The “Street of Foreigners” in the city includes the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien, Do Quang Dau, De Tham, and some neighboring areas. They are famous for the sleepless nightlife that exhilarates you with the exciting atmosphere, great services, fantastic food, drinks, etc., in a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, and souvenir shops. Particularly in Bui Vien Street, there stand out dozens of the excellent bars to rave such as The View Rooftop Bar (195 Bui Vien), Universal Pub (90 Bui Vien), Hair of The Dog (194 Bui Vien), Sahara Beer Club (111-113 Bui Vien), and more.

#5: Play at the Local Amusement Parks – Relaxing New Year in Saigon 2018

The city owns two remarkable amusement parks to cheer up the overseas guests. Particularly, Suoi Tien Amusement Park in District 9 is the famous venue which offers the diverse and colorful programs of Tết. The visitors from all corners might spend a whole day in this Park filled with various games to play and artificial constructions to see. Besides, Dam Sen Water Park is the outstanding and appealing venue to enjoy hundreds of game, sightseeing, and adventure. Without a doubt, the recreational places offer the great food and drinks to please your belly. As the whole country is enveloped by the joyful and welcoming atmosphere of the New Year, you can easily meet the happy and smiling faces during your travel to Saigon this festive period.

Tết is the most desirable festival in Vietnam that all tourists are stimulated to attend and experience. If you have any plan to relish Lunar New Year in Saigon 2018 during your honeymoon to Vietnam, do not be reluctant to carry it out. Get the once-in-a-lifetime New Year celebration in the Saigonese style!