Last updated on April 17th, 2025 at 04:07 am
Reading Time: 6 minutesUnknowingly, I planned for Vietnam during Tet. I realized that when the date to go came closer.
I researched online to find more information about it. After this, I learned that it’s not a good time to visit Vietnam—most things remain closed.
I doubted myself and even considered canceling my plan to visit Hanoi, Vietnam.
But I had made a decision; whatever happens, it would be a unique experience for me. So, I decided to make the move and encounter Tet in Vietnam.
Table of Contents
Once I reached Vietnam
I reached Hanoi, Vietnam 2 days before Tet.
For the first 24 hours in Hanoi, I explored the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
I felt delighted to see people dressing in traditional outfits and posing with lucky flowers for Tet, also known as Cherry Blossom.
Indeed, I could only see a few shops opening, but that didn’t bother me much. I was fine seeing people enjoying this time of the year, and I was present to capture the moments. That was itself joyful for me!
But What’s Tet?
Tet is a Vietnamese name for the Lunar New Year. Countries like China, Korea, Malaysia, etc., celebrate this time of the year, similar to the New Year, which other countries celebrate on 31st December every year.
You can sense the excitement and celebration people had during this time.
I stayed in Hanoi and got to know that many people come to Hanoi to work. Therefore, during the Tet, the roads become empty as people go back to their homes and spend time with their families.
The Tet date changes every year. Vietnam celebrated Tet on January 29, 2025. In 2026, it will happen on 17th February. So, the dates don’t remain constant; they change according to the Chinese calendar. But, it happens between January end to February mid.
A Day before Tet in Hanoi
When I started exploring Hanoi’s streets, I came across a shop where people eagerly walked in to get their pictures clicked. The shop looked beautiful both inside and out.
I kept visiting that shop, mesmerized by the joy on people’s faces. Whether it was day or night, everyone wanted their moment captured there.
Approaching a Girl to click her picture
I approached a girl and asked if I could click her photo. She didn’t understand the language. So, she opened Google Translate and handed her phone to me. I converted English to Vietnamese so she could understand.
I wrote:
I am a photographer and videographer from India. I love to click Portraits, and I thought to click yours. Since you’re nicely dressed, and it’s also the Tet. So, you would get a picture.
She said, “Okay, sure”.
I used my prime lens 56 mm sigma f/1.4, and clicked Portraits in different angles and using different perspectives.
She was very excited to receive those photos. After I ended the Hanoi trip and reached home, I edited and forwarded those to her. She felt utterly delighted!
Eve of Tet
On the Eve of Tet, which was on 28th January 2025, I came to know that there would be fireworks and celebrations near Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
I was significantly waiting for that evening. Indeed, from morning, I was visiting Hoàn Kiếm Lake repeatedly to see the happenings. But, the actual started in the evening.
A large number of people gathered, and authorities set up barricades around the road. Moreover, cultural performances are taking place, and people are sitting near the lake on the stools.
I was roaming near the Hoàn Kiếm Lake, clicking portraits and moments for long hours. I felt tired from roaming around and wanted to sit and watch the fireworks as midnight approached.
Stood near the Hoan Kiem Lake for an hour
After moving here and there, I finally found a stool to sit on near the lake. After some time, a person came. He seemed like he would allow someone to sit, who ate from his shop. So, he told me to stand and took the stool from me rudely.
I stood and waited for the fireworks to begin—there was still an hour left.
Meanwhile, someone stood beside me and started a conversation. He was from Madagascar—traveling the world while working remotely.
It was a short conversation, and we stood and waited for the time being.
As the clock turn 12 o’clock, fireworks happened, and the sky turned stunning! The reflection of the fireworks on the Hoàn Kiếm Lake was incredible.
I was seizing the moment with both hands, the phone in one and the camera in another.
Attentively, I was ready to capture the moment and stood in the same spot, in the same position for quite a while.
The fireworks happened for almost 20 minutes.
After the fireworks were over, it was time to see some celebrations on the streets of Old Quarters. People dancing, and music was in full swing in the Pubs and roads.
After strolling the streets, I reached the hostel, and the staff greeted me with “CHÚC MỪNG NĂM MỚI” meaning “Happy New Year,”—and offered candies!
It was a night to remember!—The first time I witnessed New Year celebrations twice in a year.
Visited the temple in the morning
The next day, I visited the Ngoc Son Temple, which was on the red bridge, behind where the fireworks took place on the Eve.
People gathered in numbers to seek blessings on New Year’s Day. I went inside the temple, everybody was beautifully dressed!
I found a corner where people wrote their wishes on beautifully designed paper, which they could hang anywhere in their homes.
Thus, I felt excited, and after thinking for quite some time. I got “Successful Career” written in Chinese.
Fast forward…
When I returned home, I hung that in my room.
I did my Hanoi Vietnam trip on a budget, stayed for 6 days, and spent less than 60k.
Summing Up Tet in Vietnam
Assuming, if I had stayed back home, Tet would not have been a good time to visit Vietnam, then I wouldn’t have been able to experience this fun-loving atmosphere!
Indeed, I Experienced Tet in Vietnam, and It Touched My Heart! Tet is a magnificent time to visit Vietnam—Festive streets, cheerful faces, and heartwarming celebrations make it a truly special experience.
