Vietnam Tet Holiday 2027: Complete Traveler's Survival Guide — Transport, Peach Blossoms & What to Expect
Tet Nguyen Dan — Vietnam's Lunar New Year — is the most sacred, colorful, and transformative national event of the entire year. In 2027, Tet falls on February 6 (Year of the Goat). Millions of Vietnamese travel home to reunite with families, creating extraordinary transport demand. If you're traveling in Vietnam around this period, this guide covers everything you must know: how to book tickets in time, what closes, where the peach blossom markets bloom, and how to celebrate alongside locals.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết)
Tet holiday in Vietnam brings families together amid colourful markets and vibrant decorations.
Banh Chung and Banh Tet for Tet holiday
Specialty cakes that are made and enjoyed during Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations.
Vietnamese special meal on Tet holiday
Family members gather together to enjoy special dishes prepared for the occasion.
Pray on Tet holiday
People come to pagodas to pray for good luck and health in the new year.
Golden Rule: Book ALL Tet Transport 45–60 Days in Advance
In the 10 days leading up to Tet Eve (Jan 28 – Feb 5, 2027), northbound trains from Ho Chi Minh City and buses from Hanoi sell out completely. Train tickets open for booking 60 days before departure on VietNam Railways — set a calendar alarm and book the moment they open.
Tet 2027 Quick Reference
In This Travel Guide
1. When and How to Book Tet Transport
Tet creates the world's largest annual human migration — over 40 million Vietnamese travel intercity in the 2 weeks surrounding the holiday. Understanding the booking timelines is critical:
| Transport Type | Book How Far Ahead | Approx. Tet Price | Key Route | Booking Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Railways Train (Soft Sleeper) | 60 days ahead (exact) | $25 – $55 USD | HCMC ↔ Hanoi (31 hrs) | 12Go Asia / VNR Direct |
| Domestic Flights (VJ / VN / QH) | 45–60 days ahead | $35 – $120 USD | HCMC ↔ Hanoi / Da Nang | 12Go Asia |
| VIP Sleeper Bus | 21–30 days ahead | $12 – $25 USD | Hanoi ↔ Sapa / Ha Giang | 12Go Asia |
Book Tet 2027 Train & Bus Tickets Now
Use 12Go Asia to compare all Vietnam Railways schedules and sleeper bus operators for the Tet holiday period.
2. Tet Trains: Vietnam Reunification Express (Tàu SE)
The Reunification Express train (Tàu Thống Nhất) connecting Ho Chi Minh City (Ga Sài Gòn) and Hanoi (Ga Hà Nội) is the iconic long-distance train of Vietnam. At Tet, it carries a special emotional weight — this is the train families take to go home. Here is what you need to know about booking train carriages during Tet:
VNR Train Berth Classes (Best to Book Early):
- 1. Soft Sleeper 4-berth (Nằm Mềm 4 Chỗ): Best comfort — 4 air-conditioned bunks per compartment with mattress and pillow. $30–$55 USD for Hanoi–HCMC. Sells out first — book 60 days ahead.
- 2. Soft Sleeper 6-berth (Nằm Mềm 6 Chỗ): Affordable alternative — 6 bunks with thinner mattress. $22–$40 USD. Slightly noisier compartment. Books out within days of going on sale.
- 3. Hard Sleeper (Nằm Cứng): Budget option with a padded mat instead of a mattress. $15–$28 USD. Very popular with domestic passengers returning home. Hot and sociable.
3. Tet Sleeper Buses: Best Operators & Routes
If trains are sold out (common), sleeper buses are the next best option. During Tet, major bus operators run additional services — but these also fill quickly. Here are the most reliable operators by route:
4. What's Open and Closed During Tet Holiday
Tet is a time when Vietnam largely shuts down — many businesses close for up to 1 week. Here's what to expect during Tet Day 1 to Day 7 (February 6–13, 2027):
OPEN During Tet
- • Major supermarkets (VinMart, Big C — may open Day 3+)
- • Tourist attractions & temples (very busy with pilgrims)
- • Large hotels (full service throughout)
- • 24hr convenience stores (Circle K, GS25, VinMart+)
- • Major tourist restaurants in Hoi An, HCMC District 1
- • Phu Quoc beach resorts (minimal closures)
CLOSED During Tet Days 1–3
- • Most local restaurants & street food stalls (Days 1–2)
- • Local markets & wet markets (Days 1–3)
- • Government offices & banks (full week)
- • Small shops and service businesses
- • Hair salons, pharmacies (most close Days 1–2)
- • Local bus terminals (reduced services)
5. Peach Blossom Markets & Tet Spring Decorations
The most visually stunning part of Tet is the explosion of pink peach blossoms (hoa dao) in the north and yellow apricot blossoms (hoa mai) in the south that appear everywhere — in homes, restaurants, and flower markets — in the week before Tet Day 1.
Reserve Tet 2027 Train & Bus Tickets Online
Use 12Go Asia to search all Vietnam Railways schedules, compare sleeper buses, and book domestic flights for the Tet 2027 holiday period — with instant e-ticket delivery.
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