Local Holidays and Festivals
-Vietnam-
“Vui hội,” - (FESTIVAL JOY)
National Holidays
Key Holidays and Their Significance: Vietnam celebrates a variety of holidays that hold cultural, historical, and political importance. Here are some of the most notable:
Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese Lunar New Year): The most important and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam, Tết marks the lunar new year (usually in January or February). It’s a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and exchanging gifts. Homes are cleaned and decorated with peach blossoms and kumquat trees to welcome the new year with luck and prosperity.
Reunification Day (April 30th): Also known as Victory Day, this holiday commemorates the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1975. It's marked by parades, public events, and ceremonies celebrating Vietnamese unity and independence.
National Day (September 2nd): Celebrates the declaration of independence from French colonial rule in 1945. The day features patriotic ceremonies, flag-raising events, and festivities nationwide, honoring the country’s struggle for freedom.
Impact of National Holidays on Daily Life, Work, and Services: Vietnam’s holidays can have a considerable effect on work schedules, local businesses, and access to public services.
Business Closures & Shortened Hours: During major holidays like Tết and National Day, government offices, schools, banks, and many businesses close, often for several days. Markets and shops may remain open but often have shortened hours or may close temporarily.
Travel & Transportation: Tết is the busiest travel time of the year, as families across the country reunite to celebrate. This leads to crowded airports, bus stations, and train services, with increased ticket prices and early bookings recommended. Other holidays like Reunification Day also see heightened travel activity.
Festive Atmosphere & Local Customs: During Tết, cities and towns come alive with festive decorations, flower markets, and street performances. Public services may slow down as many workers take time off to celebrate with their families, and the lively atmosphere is palpable everywhere.
Traditional Festivals
Major Cultural Festivals: Vietnam is home to a variety of traditional festivals that are rich in cultural significance and regional traditions. Here are some of the most prominent:
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu): Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually in September or October), this festival is known for its bright lantern displays, mooncakes, and lion dances. It's a time to celebrate family, harvest, and the full moon. Children are the center of this celebration, receiving toys, treats, and gifts.
Hung Kings' Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương): Held on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, this festival honors the ancient Hung Kings, considered the founders of Vietnam. It features solemn ceremonies, traditional music, and offerings at temples in Phu Tho Province and other areas.
Perfume Pagoda Festival (Lễ Hội Chùa Hương): This is the longest and most popular pilgrimage festival, starting on the 6th day of the 1st lunar month (around February) and lasting for several months. Devotees travel to the Perfume Pagoda near Hanoi to pray for good fortune, health, and prosperity. The journey involves a scenic boat ride and a hike to the pagoda.
Customs, Ceremonies, and Local Traditions: Each festival in Vietnam has unique customs, making participation or observation an immersive cultural experience.
Mid-Autumn Festival Activities: Street parades are filled with children carrying colorful lanterns, and lion dances are performed to bring luck. The exchange of mooncakes is a major tradition, symbolizing unity and celebration with family and friends.
Hung Kings’ Festival Rituals: Traditional ceremonies include processions and offerings of food, incense, and symbolic items to the Hung Kings. Folk games, traditional dances, and cultural performances create a festive atmosphere around the temple sites.
Perfume Pagoda Pilgrimage: The pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda involves a scenic journey by boat along the Yen Stream, followed by a trek or cable car ride to the main temple. Visitors light incense, make offerings, and pray for a prosperous year ahead.
Opportunities for Expats to Participate or Observe: Expats are welcome to join in many of these traditional festivals, offering a deeper connection to Vietnamese culture.
Joining the Mid-Autumn Festival: Expats can partake by purchasing lanterns, attending street parades, and trying traditional mooncakes. Cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City host vibrant public celebrations that are open to everyone.
Observing the Hung Kings' Festival: While the ceremonial aspect may be more localized, expats can visit Hung Kings’ temples and take part in cultural activities like traditional music and food fairs held in various provinces.
Participating in the Perfume Pagoda Pilgrimage: Expats can join the pilgrimage, enjoying the boat rides, scenic hikes, and temple offerings. It’s a great opportunity to observe Vietnamese spirituality and local customs up close.
Public Holidays
Overview of Official Public Holidays: Vietnam celebrates a mix of religious, cultural, and governmental holidays throughout the year. Below are some key public holidays observed nationwide:
New Year’s Day (January 1st): Like many countries, Vietnam welcomes the Gregorian New Year with celebrations, gatherings, and fireworks, although the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) holds greater significance.
Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese Lunar New Year): The most significant holiday, Tết usually falls between late January and February and lasts for a week or more. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated with family reunions, traditional foods, and honoring ancestors.
International Labor Day (May 1st): This is a nationwide holiday celebrating workers' rights. Public demonstrations, parades, and community events are held, and many people take the day off to relax.
National Day (September 2nd): Vietnam’s independence day, marking the proclamation of independence from France in 1945. It features patriotic events, flag-raising ceremonies, and parades, with businesses and schools closing for the day.
Impact of Public Holidays on Daily Life: Public holidays in Vietnam can affect the daily routine, availability of services, and transportation.
Business Hours & Government Offices: During major holidays like Tết, National Day, and Labor Day, most government offices, banks, and some businesses close, sometimes for an extended period (especially during Tết). Markets, restaurants, and shops may have shortened hours or be closed entirely.
Transportation & Travel: During peak holidays like Tết and New Year’s Day, expect increased traffic, crowded airports, and full bookings for trains and buses, as many people return to their hometowns or take vacation trips. Travel costs may rise, and reservations are recommended well in advance.
Festive Atmosphere & Community Gatherings: During public holidays, cities and towns may have community events, parades, and street performances. In larger cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are often outdoor celebrations, fireworks, and local fairs.