The long Tet vacations are ideal for traveling, unwinding, relaxing, and welcoming the new year.

The display is themed Tet or the Lunar New Year in Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Thang Long Imperial Citadel

With the world opening up again, 2023 marks a promising return to travel for Vietnamese travelers who are ready to get back out there and make the most of the new year’s beginning, according to the travel accommodation booking platform.

It is no surprise that big cities are the ideal destinations for Tet, as many national celebrations will be held in Hanoi and HCMC.

One of the highlights of this Tet holiday in Hanoi is the Phung Hung mural street in Hanoi’s downtown. The newly restored street features dozens of mural paintings themed "Hanoi in the old days", attracting thousands of visitors on weekends and during major holidays.

The Phung Hung mural painting street. Photo: Anh Nguyen

There are also artworks showcasing the scenes of Tet and Hanoi’s Old Quarter, such as calligraphy masters, peddlers, and wooden windows, among others.

The wall painting, nearly 1,300 meters long, runs along Phung Hung Street to the middle of Hang Cot and Le Van Linh streets in Hang Ma Ward, Hoan Kiem District. It is an initiative of the Hoan Kiem authorities in collaboration with the Korea Foundation and UN-Habitat to bring art to the public and promote the urban heritage value of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Another ideal travel destination for Tet is the Old Quarter, where a series of activities will be held.

In the Kim Ngan temple, there will be an exhibition in which 12 zodiac animals of Tet will be presented. Iconic animals are shown in traditional paintings of the popular villages of Hang Trong, Kim Hoang, and Dong Ho. The exhibition will last from January to February 28.

Meanwhile, at the Heritage House in Ma May, visitors may immerse in the traditional Tet atmosphere with many costumes reenacted, including the scenes of “Chung” cake cooked and tasted by a typical Vietnamese family, worshipping the kitchen gods, and preparing New Year's Eve dishes.

At the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, there will be an exhibition-themed “Traditional Tet” and various cultural games for children that last until February, recreating the warm Tet atmosphere of Vietnamese families with traditional practices.  

The Nguyen Hue flower boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duong hoa Nguyen Hue

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Tet Festival 2023 will take place at the municipal Youth's Cultural House from January 5 to 26.

The “The City I Love” program will consist of a calligraphy street, a space of yellow apricot trees, art performances, and charitable and social works supporting disadvantaged people.

Nearly 50 calligraphers on traditional costumes will write and sell nice pieces of writing art to customers on the corner of Pham Ngoc Thach and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets. In addition to the joyful atmosphere with folk games, and food fairs, there will be an apricot garden where over 100 old apricot trees will be displayed.

Spending Tet holiday on the beaches

Phu Quoc Beach. Photo: Booking.com

Data from booking. com reveals that Dalat is the most searched city in Vietnam for Tet holiday, followed by Nha Trang and Vung Tau. Beach destinations seem to be the favorites this Tet, with several beach regions like Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne making it to the top 10 list.

Visiting Da Lat for Tet, visitors will enjoy the opportunity to immerse in the cool atmosphere full of life as flowers bloom in every corner of the city. And if you are lucky, around the end of January is the last time cherry blossoms bloom and color the town in a beautiful pink.

Meanwhile, given Vietnam’s beautiful and long coastal line across the country, beach cities have been a popular most-favorite destination for Vietnamese, especially for Tet, since the beach has something to offer everyone in a family, plus freshly-caught seafood at a reasonable price.