Ho Chi Minh "s Festival & Events

There are a number of celebrations and festivals in Ho Chi Minh City, with one of the main highlights being Tet (Vietnamese New Year), as well as smaller local historical celebrations and cultural festivals.

Tet

The Tet Holiday or Vietnamese New Year, which is from the last two days of the last lunar month to the third day of the first lunar month, is by far the most celebrated and important event of the year. Schools and businesses close during the holiday for up to two weeks. Many Vietnamese return to their homes and families in the countryside, leaving Ho Chi Minh City strangely quiet and peaceful.

A number of ancient customs are carried out in preparation for the Lunar New Year. Special foods are prepared such as That Kho Hot - a combination of pork and eggs, Banh Chung – pork and rice wrapped in banana leaves and Mien Ga - noodle and chicken soup.

Of special interest to children is the giving of “lucky money”, and many company executives also give “lucky money” to their employees. Lucky money is the giving of a new VND note in a red envelope, made especially for this purpose.

Tet is most importantly a time for families to reunite, relax, eat and drink. During Tet, Vietnamese are also obligated to visit their relatives and Buddhist temples. Tet is the first day of spring, also called Hội xuân(spring festival), and is a time of renewal and hope for the coming year.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival

During the Lunar New Year celebration, Nguyen Hue Street is closed to traffic for several days to allow people to walk the street and admire the beautiful flower arrangements and enjoy the local food and drink. There are children’s games, exhibitions by local artists and more.

Tao Dan Spring Flowers Festival

Another unique sight during the Tet holiday is the Tao Dan Spring Flower Festival, which features flowers, music, games and food in a beautiful park area near the centre of the city.

King Hung’s Commemoration

In Vietnamese history there were 18 Hung kings and on the 10th day of the third Lunar month the people of Vietnam remember and pay tribute to them all. Although widely celebrated in the north of Vietnam, this day is more like a holiday from work for southerners. However, at Suoi Tien Park there is a temple constructed for the Hung kings and many come to pray and offer food to the god-like Hung.

Buddha’s Birthday

This religious holiday on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Lunar calendar is celebrated quietly with prayer at the various temples around the city.

Book Reading Festival

For two weeks every March the local bookstores put on an exhibition of Vietnamese- and English-language books in a park setting. The books are reasonably priced and include some unusual finds.

Liberation Day

Liberation Day on 30 April celebrates the end of American occupation and the reunification of the north and south. It is marked by festivals and events throughout the country.

Southern Fruit Festival

This festival takes place in Suoi Tien Park every July. It is a spectacular exhibition of all the different species of fruit grown in Vietnam, of which many are unique to southern Vietnam. The colours, shapes, textures and tastes are unusual and varied. Visitors can walk through the park and taste the different fruits. Prices are reasonable and the quality exceptional.

National Day

National Day or Independence Day is on 2 September and is a one-day holiday celebrating the nation of Vietnam. No organised events take place, but often there is music and local celebrities singing in Ho Chi Minh City’s local parks.

Western Holidays

 

New Year on 1 January is of much less importance in Vietnam than Tet; however, the locals of Ho Chi Minh City join the expatriate community to celebrate this western holiday.

Christmas Day is celebrated by local Vietnamese Christians, primarily of the Catholic religion. Christmas day is a minor holiday in Vietnam and is not classified as a public holiday. Many hotels that cater to expatriates have buffet lunches and dinners accompanied by western Christmas music. Local retailers in the centre of the city put up colourful decorations and make it largely a consumer opportunity. Christian Vietnamese decorate their homes and many drive around to take in the sights.

Ho Chi Minh "s Festival & Events