On an ordinary morning, Ho Chi Minh City wakes to motorbike engines, clattering coffee glasses and the smell of breakfast drifting from pavement kitchens. On Lunar New Year’s Day, the same streets can feel almost cinematic: quieter roads, yellow apricot blossoms outside homes and families dressed in their best clothes.
If you are wondering what is open during Tet in Ho Chi Minh City, the answer is yes—many shops, restaurants, and tours remain available, particularly in District 1 and other visitor-friendly areas. However, the city does not operate on its usual schedule, especially from Tet Eve through the first two days of the lunar year.
The secret to enjoying Ho Chi Minh City during Tet is knowing what usually closes, what is likely to stay open and which services should be booked ahead. With a flexible plan, Lunar New Year can become one of the most memorable times to experience Saigon.
What Changes in Ho Chi Minh City During Tet?
Tet, officially known as Tet Nguyen Dan, is Vietnam’s most important traditional holiday. It is a time for family reunions, ancestor worship, temple visits and hopes for a fortunate new year.
The exact dates change annually because Tet follows the lunar calendar. Although Vietnam announces an official public holiday, restaurants, shops and private tourism businesses decide their own operating schedules.
The days before Tet are often busier than normal. Residents shop for flowers, fruit, new clothes, decorations and gifts, while people leaving the city crowd airports, stations and major roads.
Everything changes around Tet Eve. Family-owned businesses lower their shutters, residential streets become peaceful and the rhythm of Saigon temporarily slows.
Before Tet, Tet Eve and the First Days Explained
Visitors will have the widest choice of food, shopping and tours during the week before Tet. It is also an exciting period for seeing flower markets and local families making their final preparations.
Tet Eve and the first day of the lunar year bring the most closures. From the second or third day onward, more cafés, restaurants and attractions gradually reopen, although some family businesses remain closed for a week or longer.
Are Shops Open During Tet in Ho Chi Minh City?
Some shops open during Tet, but the experience depends on where you stay and what you need. Central districts generally offer more reliable options than residential neighborhoods.
Independent boutiques, neighborhood grocery stores and family-owned shops often close before Tet Eve. Owners may travel to their hometowns, so reopening dates can vary considerably.
Convenience Stores and Essential Supplies
Convenience-store chains are usually the safest option for water, snacks, toiletries and simple meals. Branches in District 1, District 3 and other busy areas are more likely to operate, sometimes with reduced hours.
Do not wait until Lunar New Year’s Day to buy medication, baby products or specialty items. Purchase essential supplies beforehand because pharmacies and individual convenience-store branches may follow different schedules.
ATMs remain accessible, but banks and many currency-exchange offices close for the official holiday. Withdraw enough Vietnamese dong before Tet and keep smaller notes for taxis, drinks and street purchases.
Shopping Malls and Supermarkets
Major shopping malls and supermarkets often take shorter breaks than independent retailers. Some close on Tet Eve, open later on Lunar New Year’s Day or resume business during the following morning.
Schedules differ between branches and change every year. Check the official website or verified social media page of the specific mall you plan to visit rather than trusting its normal Google Maps hours.
Shopping malls can be useful during the quietest days because they combine restaurants, cafés, supermarkets and entertainment in one place. Expect holiday crowds once local families begin going out together.
Traditional Markets and Souvenir Shops
Traditional markets become wonderfully energetic before Tet. Stalls overflow with watermelons, candied fruit, red envelopes, ornamental kumquat trees and yellow hoa mai, the apricot blossom associated with spring in southern Vietnam.
Many vendors close after completing their final pre-Tet sales. Ben Thanh Market may retain some tourist-oriented activity, but it should not be treated as fully operational during the first holiday days.
For the most atmospheric experience, visit a market before Tet Eve. You will see the preparation behind the celebration rather than only the decorations displayed after the new year begins.
Are Restaurants Open During Tet in Ho Chi Minh City?
Travelers can still find restaurants open during Tet in Ho Chi Minh City, but choices are noticeably limited on Tet Eve and Lunar New Year’s Day. A little preparation prevents a festive evening from turning into a search for any available meal.
Hotel restaurants, international chains and dining venues inside major malls are among the most dependable options. Restaurants around Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, Bui Vien and central District 1 are also more likely to serve visitors.
Small noodle shops, neighborhood restaurants and family-run street stalls commonly close. These businesses may reopen independently from the second day of Tet onward.
Can You Still Eat Local Food During Tet?
Yes, but finding specific dishes becomes less predictable. A beloved pho, banh mi or com tam vendor may take several days off, while another shop around the corner remains busy throughout the holiday.
Try your must-eat dishes before Tet Eve instead of saving everything for Lunar New Year’s Day. During the quieter period, ask hotel staff or local guides which vendors have genuinely reopened.
Joining a food tour in Ho Chi Minh City can help, provided the operator has adapted its route. Ask whether the advertised vendors will be open and what alternatives are arranged if a stop becomes unavailable.
Do Restaurants Charge a Tet Surcharge?
Some restaurants, cafés and service providers apply a Tet surcharge because staffing costs increase during the holiday. This is common enough that travelers should ask about it, but the additional charge should be disclosed clearly.
Confirm whether prices include holiday supplements, service fees and taxes before ordering a set menu or booking a special dinner. A transparent business will explain the final price without making you guess.
Reservations are strongly recommended for Tet Eve and the first evening of the new year. Contact the restaurant directly because automated booking platforms may continue accepting reservations even when holiday hours have changed.
Do Tours Run During Tet in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many Ho Chi Minh City tours during Tet continue operating for international travelers. The selection may be smaller, and routes sometimes change according to guide availability, attraction hours and restaurant closures.
Established tour companies are more likely to arrange rotating teams and alternative stops. Smaller operators may pause completely so their guides and drivers can celebrate with their families.
Book before the holiday and request written confirmation of the departure time, itinerary and total price. Do not assume a tour is operating simply because an online booking calendar still shows availability.
City, Walking and Motorbike Tours
A local tour during Tet reveals a different side of Saigon. Lighter traffic can make some streets more comfortable to explore, while flower displays, temple visits and family celebrations give familiar landmarks a seasonal character.
The trade-off is that markets, museums or food stops included in a regular itinerary may be closed. A responsible operator should explain substitutions instead of quietly delivering a reduced experience.
A Ho Chi Minh City motorbike tour can connect central decorations with less-touristy neighborhoods. Travelers who prefer a slower pace can explore seasonal streets through one of the available walking tours in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Day Trips
Tours from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta may also run during Lunar New Year. However, included restaurants, workshops, boat operators and family homes may observe separate holiday schedules.
Before reserving a Cu Chi Tunnels tour, confirm the attraction’s holiday hours, departure time and lunch arrangements. Traffic leaving the city can be heavy before Tet and unusually light once the holiday begins.
For a Mekong Delta tour, ask whether every boat journey, village activity and tasting remains available. The region is still beautiful during Tet, but a modified itinerary should be communicated before payment.
Are Tourist Attractions Open During Tet?
There is no citywide rule covering every attraction. Museums, historic buildings, observation decks and entertainment venues announce their own Lunar New Year opening hours.
Some major tourist attractions remain open or resume quickly, while others close on Lunar New Year’s Day. Always consult an official website or verified social media account shortly before visiting.
Pagodas and temples may be accessible because visiting a place of worship is an important New Year tradition. Expect crowds, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and avoid photographing people during private prayers without permission.
Outdoor celebrations provide excellent alternatives to indoor attractions. Nguyen Hue Flower Street, when held, transforms central Saigon with large floral displays and attracts residents and visitors from Tet Eve into the first days of the year.
Transport and Other Services During Tet
Grab, taxis and other ride-hailing services generally operate during Tet, but fewer drivers may be available. Longer waits and higher fares are possible around airports, celebration areas and popular family visiting times.
Domestic flights, trains and intercity buses are extremely busy before and after the holiday. Reserve long-distance transportation early; this is one period when arriving at a station and hoping for a last-minute seat can fail badly.
Laundry shops, salons and neighborhood services may close longer than major restaurants. Ask your hotel about nearby options and have laundry completed before Tet Eve if it affects your onward journey.
How to Plan a Stress-Free Tet Visit
Treat the holiday as several different phases rather than one long shutdown. Use the days before Tet for markets and street food, keep Lunar New Year’s Day flexible, and schedule major tours after receiving direct confirmation.
Store water, breakfast items and snacks in your room. You may never need them, but they remove the pressure to find an open café early on the quietest morning.
Save addresses, phone numbers and booking confirmations offline. Holiday announcements sometimes appear only on a business’s Facebook page, and opening hours can change with little notice.
Most importantly, do not try to force a normal sightseeing schedule onto an extraordinary cultural moment. Slower streets, temple visits and families gathering beneath flowering trees are not interruptions to the experience—they are the experience.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting During Tet?
Ho Chi Minh City is worth visiting during Tet if you value atmosphere, culture and unusual city scenes more than perfect convenience. You will find fewer services, but you may also see Saigon at its most reflective and visually festive.
The best trip combines preparation with flexibility. Confirm the experiences that matter, accept that a few doors may be closed and leave room for discoveries that exist only during Lunar New Year.
Experience Tet in Saigon with a Local Guide
Tet changes not only opening hours but also the stories unfolding across Ho Chi Minh City. With a knowledgeable local guide, a quiet street becomes a glimpse into family tradition, and a crowded pagoda becomes more than a colorful photo stop.
Contact Saigon Adventure to check available Tet tours, confirmed itineraries and holiday pricing. Booking early gives the team time to design an experience around places that are truly open—not a schedule copied from an ordinary week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ho Chi Minh City shut down completely during Tet?
No. Many family businesses close, especially around Tet Eve and Lunar New Year’s Day, but hotels, convenience stores, selected restaurants, malls and tourism services continue operating.
What is the most difficult day for finding food?
Lunar New Year’s Day usually offers the fewest local dining choices. Hotel restaurants and venues in central District 1 are generally more dependable, but reservations are advisable.
Is Ben Thanh Market open during Tet?
Some vendors may operate, but the market should not be expected to run at full capacity. Visit before Tet Eve for the liveliest shopping atmosphere and widest selection.
Are Grab and taxis available during Tet?
Yes, but driver availability can fall and waiting times may increase. Check the fare before booking and allow extra time when traveling to an airport, station or scheduled tour.
Can tourists visit pagodas during Lunar New Year?
Many pagodas welcome visitors, although they can become crowded with worshippers. Dress respectfully, speak quietly and ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies.
Should I book Tet tours in advance?
Yes. Fewer guides and drivers may be working, and some itineraries require adjustments. Confirm the route, inclusions, departure time and any Tet surcharge directly with the operator.
