1

Hi Alexis,
That's right! Most of shops will be closed on Dec 30th, Jan 1st, 2nd ( lunar calendar). In those days, the Vietnamese people prepare for Tet and perform traditional rituals which is the busiest time of year :)). But some the attractions, national park, museum, amusement park,...won't be closed.

2

Hi khanhhoa,

Thank you for your reply! But I'm a little bit confused with the "Dec 31, Jan 1, Jan 2", coz from what I know in 2013, Tet Vietnam is from February 9 to February 14, which is different from the new year...

But it's good that attractions won't be closed anyways.

Cheers,
Alexis

3

The only problem you should have is with transportation

Edited by: vbeck

4

Hi vbeck,

Thanks for the reply!

What do you mean by the only problem? No open bus available during that time, or they have but need to book very early?

Cheers,
Alexis

5

The "Dec 31, Jan 1st, 2nd" in lunar calender is from February 10th to February 13th :)

6

You need to book early more than one month before departure to make sure you have tickets if you come to Vietnam in January or February. The lunar new year is a occasion for family reunion so everyone will return home in this time.

7

#1- it is most confusing to use the English names of months to describe the lunar calendar. If you're going to use the names December January and February, then use them to indicate the dates on which Vietnamese events, such as Tet, occur. Your post #5 does not help much as in 2014 the dates will differ from 2013 - Tet falls on 10 February in 2013 and on January 31 in 2014.

8

Yeah! It's only true for 2013. Alexis said that in # 2 "what I know in 2013, Tet Vietnam is from February 9 to February 14"

9

Plan to spend more as well on hotels and transport. Some coffee shops and restaurants also have higher prices.

10

many hotels triple their rates at Tet.
If you don't prebook transport you will be walking or going by motorbike.

11

Im getting slightly worried about my trip to Vietnam now, as I am going when its TET.
so please tell me is there actually transport running on every day though? I know how to book the trains in vietnam here in uk, but can i book the open tour buses from here. if so how? also do the open tour buses go to pho quoc?

thanks for advice as Im getting slightly concerned, & am thinking my go with the flow idea might not be the best one! :O/

12

You could get a local bus to Rac Gia and then get a ferry to Phu Quoc. Local buses can be cramped, but think of it as an adventure.

You will be fine. If you have to book a train last minute, travel the night of new years eve. Also new years day might be possible. NYE of Tet, of course.:)

13

I like an adventure :O) Where would I be able to pick up a local bus to Rac Gia. I ll be in central Vietnam when I m thinking of heading that way :O)

14

#11 - Pick up a local bus from central Viet Nam to Rach Gia? I don't think so. It's actually quite a significant distance. You'll almost certainly have to go via HCMC if you go by plane, bus or train. Or you might take motor bike riders west, say from Hoi An, and then go south to Rach Gia. Phu Quoc is an island and there are flights or a ferry available to get there.

The thing about Tet is that it is a family holiday and everyone goes back to their home town. It is not a religious festival like Christmas, it is a national holiday - more like Thanksgiving. In the two days before Tet everyone seems to be on the move and planes, buses and trains are all fully booked as people travel, often from the towns and cities to the countryside. That means an exodus of staff from restaurants and hotels many of which shut for the day before, the day of and the two days after Tet - so the 9th,10th 11th and 12th of February. And prices rise in those places that are open or for those seats you can get on buses or planes.

The best idea is to choose a place and prop there for three or four days and just enjoy Tet. Visit a flower market on the 9th and if you are in a small place that still allows cyclos, watch the amazing sight of pots of flowers and small trees riding around town being delivered. Watch the locals going off to be "first footers" on the morning of the 10th, all dressed in new clothes.

It's a time to relax not rush from place to place.