Vietnam Public Holidays 2025: Events & Festivals
In 2025, Vietnam observes 6 primary national holidays, along with numerous festivals held across different regions. Each event holds a unique significance in the country’s cultural traditions and historical development. Here’s a list of updated Vietnam’s public holidays in 2025.
Vietnam Public Holidays in 2025 Calendar
Public holidays of Vietnam in 2025
Vietnamese people follow two calendars – the global standard calendar and the Lunar Calendar. Throughout the year, there are two national holidays based on the Lunar Calendar: Lunar New Year and Hung Kings Commemoration Day.
| Date | Public Holidays | Day | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2025 | New Year’s Day | Wednesday | 1 day |
| 25 Jan – 2 Feb 2025 | Lunar New Year | Saturday – Sunday | 9 days |
| 7 Apr 2025 | Hung Kings Commemoration Day | Monday | 1 day |
| 30 Apr 2025 | Reunification Day | Wednesday | 1 day |
| 1 May 2025 | International Labour Day | Thursday | 1 day |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Independence Day | Tuesday | 1 – 2 day |
What are the Meanings of Vietnam Public Holidays?
On public holidays, people from all corners of the country, including workers and students, are granted days off from work or school.
New Year’s Day
To be the first holiday in the Vietnam public holidays 2025 calendar. New Year’s Day is a time of joy and celebration. People around the world come together to ring in the new year with parties, fireworks, and traditional rituals. In many cultures, New Year’s Day is also a time to give and receive gifts, and to feast with family and friends.
Fireworks display to celebrate the New Year at the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang City
On this holiday, Vietnamese people often celebrate the New Year at home or go to city centers to watch fireworks displays such as Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street in Hanoi, Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang. Here, cultural performances and countdowns with music shows featuring many famous artists are often held.
Lunar New Year (Tet Traditional Holiday)
Lunar New Year, commonly referred to as Tet Holiday, holds immense significance in Vietnam. It is a time when family members reunite and commemorate the new year, engaging in ancestral worship traditions. Tet is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which typically falls in late January or early February.
People are busy preparing for the Lunar New Year
On this day, people will be busy preparing for New Year’s Eve to pray for a peaceful and prosperous year. Most people who are away from home will return home, so big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will become deserted.
If you visit Vietnamese cities during this time, you should prepare and buy necessary supplies in advance. Many services tend to close and reopen on the 2nd or 3rd day of the Lunar New Year.
When New Year’s Eve comes, cities will light fireworks in the central areas. Additionally, there are numerous fascinating traditional cultural rituals, events, and practices that blend into the festive atmosphere nationwide, such as flower planting, lantern hanging, traditional folk games, traditional dishes, and groups of people going around to exchange New Year’s greetings.
Hung Kings Commemoration Day
Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a Vietnamese national holiday celebrated on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which typically falls in April. It is a day to commemorate the death anniversary of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation.
A procession of people is marching at the Hung Kings Temple in Phu Tho
The festival is held in the province of Phu Tho with many activities such as art performances, boat racing, sports, traditional cake-making competitions, lion dances, folk songs, and dances.
Reunification Day
Reunification Day, also known as Liberation Day or Victory Day, is a public holiday in Vietnam celebrated on April 30th. It marks the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1975.
Families often hang nation flags in front of their houses to celebrate this day
April 30th is commonly combined with May 1st Labor Day, Vietnamese also call this occasion 30 April – 1 May. If it occurs on a weekend, Vietnamese people will be given a day off in addition. As a result, many people will choose to travel during this time.
International Labour Day
International Labour Day is a significant holiday in Vietnam, where workers have a day off from work to celebrate their contributions to society and to advocate for better working conditions.
On this day, people often take the opportunity to spend time with their families on short domestic trips. This is also a great time to recharge for the upcoming workdays.
Independence Day
This is the last holiday in the Vietnam public holidays 2025 calendar. This is a major holiday for Vietnamese people to commemorate the day when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945 at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi.
Flags of red with a yellow star are hung from the balconies of apartment buildings
It is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to remember the merits of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to protect the sovereignty of the Vietnamese nation. On this day, many people from all over the country often visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and martyr cemeteries to express their gratitude.
Other Vietnamese Festivals
In addition to official holidays, Vietnam also hosts many festivals throughout the year in different provinces and cities. These festivals feature a variety of unique activities that reflect the local cultural identity.
| Date | Festivals | Place | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar February | Ban Flower Festival | North West Vietnam | Folk songs, folk dance, folk music, exchange activities and sports competitions, street parade |
| Lunar March | Elephant Racing Festival | Dak Lak (Central Highland) | Elephant health offering ceremony, elephant soccer competition, elephant running competition, elephant swimming competition, elephant bathing ceremony. |
| 10th March | Coffee Festival | Buon Ma Thuot (Central Highland) | Coffee exhibition and seminar, coffee competition, boat race, elephant festival, music show |
| April | Hue Festival | Hue City | Experience the artistry of handcrafted items, marvel at ao dai presentations, visit exhibitions, savor musical performances, and delve into the cultural splendor of Hue, the former imperial city |
| 15th Lunar August | Mid-Autumn Festival | Nationwide | Eating moon cake, making and watching colorful lanterns, dragon dance, night parade, kid music show,… |
The best Vietnam National holiday destinations
On public holidays in Vietnam, commemorative and recreational activities are held in big cities. If you are visiting Vietnam during a holiday, be sure to check out these places!
Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street, Hanoi
Tourists walking by Hoan Kiem Lake
This is an ideal place to hang out on both weekdays and holidays. On major holidays such as Tet and Lunar New Year, fireworks displays, special events, and music performances countdown will take place here.
This is also an ideal place to explore culture, Vietnamese life and enjoy Hanoi cuisine in the Old Quarter such as pho, vermicelli, spring rolls, fish cakes, Trang Tien ice cream…
Danang
Helio Night Market in Da Nang.
Da Nang is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam for holidays. This is because the city often hosts a variety of entertainment activities and major music events.
On holidays such as New Year’s Day and Lunar New Year, the city often organizes fireworks displays at the famous Dragon Bridge. Along the Han River, there are many activities at destinations such as Son Tra Night Market, Helio Night Market, Walking Street, and An Thuong Night Market, where lion dance performances, music performances, workshops, and stalls are held.
On holidays such as 30 April – 1 May, there are also lively activities on the beach, such as: art exhibition, artistic kite flying, sea sports festival, sandcastle-making competition, food festival, etc.
Hoi An
Hoi An is gorgeous at night
The ancient town is bustling with activities throughout the year, such as lantern floating, boat rides on the Hoai River, night markets, and music performances such as Hoi An Memories. During the Lunar New Year, the city is decorated with yellow apricot blossoms and pink peach blossoms.
Ho Chi Minh City
Fireworks display at Saigon River on 2 Sep
Ho Chi Minh City often hosts major exhibitions, sporting events, and fireworks displays on holidays such as New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year, and Independence Day, etc. at Saigon River Square, Dam Sen Cultural Park, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
Dubbed the “Does not sleep city” tourists will be able to experience a unique and diverse culinary scene with many delicious dishes that showcase the soul of Vietnam.
I hope this blog has helped showcase valuable information about Vietnam Public Holidays, offering an updated perspective on Vietnam’s holiday calendar, traditions, activities, and key points to keep in mind.