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A 21-Day Tet Culture Journey Through Saigon

This source-based plan follows Saigon from February 2–22, 2026: the lively pre-Tet period, Tet itself on February 17, and the celebrations afterward. The official holiday is February 17–20, and many businesses close ear…

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This source-based plan follows Saigon from February 2–22, 2026: the lively pre-Tet period, Tet itself on February 17, and the celebrations afterward. The official holiday is February 17–20, and many businesses close early on February 16; restaurants and cafes that remain open may add a 15–20% surcharge. Expect heavy traffic before Tet, especially around Tan Son Nhat Airport, and allow extra time for airport journeys. Museums, attractions, shops, and tours may have closures or reduced service, so check opening status before setting out. The source recommends Saigon for Tet, but advises against staying in Hanoi from February 15–20 because many businesses close and activities are limited. A free Vietnam trip-planning guide is available through a creator-provided resource.

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days 1-7 | February 2-8: Early Tet preparations

This is the recommended early festive window: events are underway, and the source says restaurants, shops, and tours still have more availability than during the holiday itself. The calligraphy street runs from February 2 through February 21.

  1. Calligraphy Street on Pham Ngoc ThachPham Ngoc Thach Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The Calligraphy Street on Pham Ngoc Thach opens February 2 and features yellow chrysanthemum trees, souvenir stalls, calligraphers making customized messages on scrolls, and musical performances throughout the day.

  2. Tet Decoration Market, CholonCholon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The Tet Decoration Market in Cholon opens at the beginning of the month, giving visitors a chance to see the seasonal decorations residents buy for their homes.

days 8-13 | February 9-14: Saigon flower markets

The flower markets run February 9–15. The source identifies several city parks as locations and describes the Binh Dong Wharf market as a colorful canal-side scene where boats arrive carrying flowers, plants, and ornamental trees.

  1. Le Van Tam ParkLe Van Tam Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Le Van Tam Park in Tan Dinh is one of the locations for Saigon's Tet flower markets, which run February 9–15.

  2. September 23rd ParkSeptember 23rd Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    September 23rd Park, near the New World Hotel, is another named location for the February 9–15 flower markets.

  3. Gia Dinh ParkGia Dinh Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Gia Dinh Park, near the airport, hosts one of the flower markets. The source describes it as the largest of the named city markets; the market period is February 9–15.

  4. Binh Dong WharfBinh Dong Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The Binh Dong Wharf flower market runs February 12–15. Boats arrive along the canal from the Mekong Delta carrying flowers, plants, and ornamental trees.

days 14-15 | February 15-16: Flower Street opening and Tet Eve

Nguyen Hue Flower Street opens February 15 and becomes pedestrian-only. Expect crowds and noise there. On February 16, many businesses close or shut early; airport traffic is also heavy during the Tet travel period.

  1. Nguyen Hue Walking StreetNguyen Hue Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Hue Flower Street opens February 15 and remains open through February 20. The road is pedestrian-only during this period, and the area becomes crowded and noisy; hotels along the street cannot be reached by car while it is closed to traffic.

  2. Tan Son Nhat International AirportTan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Tan Son Nhat is exceptionally busy around Tet as overseas Vietnamese arrive and residents travel home. Allow extra time for airport journeys because traffic can be congested.

  3. Ben Thanh MarketBen Thanh Market, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Ben Thanh Market closes on Tet Eve, February 16, and reopens on the second day of Tet. The source cautions that fewer vendors than usual may be operating when it first reopens.

  4. Saigon SquareSaigon Square, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Saigon Square closes on Tet Eve, February 16, and reopens on the second day of Tet. Expect fewer vendors than usual at first.

days 16-17 | February 17-18: Tet Day and quieter streets

Tet Day is traditionally spent visiting family and exchanging greetings; streets are quieter than in the days before the holiday. Restaurants and cafes that stay open may charge a 15–20% surcharge. Check which businesses are operating before heading out.

  1. Nguyen Hue Walking StreetNguyen Hue Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Hue Flower Street is open through February 20. Its pedestrian-only setup continues during Tet, so plan to approach on foot rather than by car.

  2. Ben Thanh MarketBen Thanh Market, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Ben Thanh Market reopens on the second day of Tet, though the source warns that fewer vendors may be selling than usual.

  3. Bui Vien Walking StreetBui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Pham Ngu Lao is among the tourist areas where hotel restaurants and businesses remain open during Tet. Confirm availability locally, and expect possible 15–20% surcharges at open restaurants and cafes.

  4. Bui Vien Walking StreetBui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Bui Vien may be less lively than usual during Tet, so do not count on its normal atmosphere during the holiday.

days 18-19 | February 19-20: Gradual reopening and Cholon

Business hours begin returning toward normal around the fourth lunar day. Saigon Centre reopens February 19, while the Nguyen Hue flower displays remain available through February 20. Cholon is a source-recommended area to experience Tet celebrations.

  1. Saigon CentreSaigon Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Saigon Centre closes from February 16 and reopens February 19. Check current opening status before visiting during the holiday period.

  2. Tet Decoration Market, CholonCholon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The source recommends Cholon during Tet, when visitors may encounter dragon dances and crowds at temples. The Tet Decoration Market is also located in Cholon.

days 20-21 | February 21-22: Final flower displays and post-Tet celebrations

Tet celebrations continue through about February 22. The source names Nguyen Hue Street and Tao Dan Park for flower displays, and Cholon for dragon dances and temple crowds.

  1. Tao Dan ParkTao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The source lists Tao Dan Park among the locations for Tet flower displays during the days after Tet.

  2. Nguyen Hue Walking StreetNguyen Hue Walking Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The Nguyen Hue flower displays run through February 20, so visit by that date if you want to see this particular display during the stated period.

  3. Tet Decoration Market, CholonCholon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Cholon is a place to look for Tet dragon dances and temple crowds during the post-Tet celebrations, which continue until about February 22.