Vietnam is not a Christian country, yet December turns its big cities into something that looks a lot like a festive postcard with Christmas lights and packed churches on December 24 together with lively countdown celebrations on December 31, while New Year’s Day on January 1 is an official holiday bringing a different pace.
For travelers weighing up Christmas in Vietnam or a year end trip to Vietnam, this guide explains what stays open, what closes, and what to expect during the Christmas and New Year holiday season.
Is Christmas or New Year’s a public holiday in Vietnam?
Many travelers wonder whether Christmas and New Year’s Day are public holidays in Vietnam. The answer is different for each. Christmas in Vietnam held in December 25 is not a public holiday, although it is widely celebrated in major cities with festive decorations, church services, and events. Most businesses remain open as usual.
New Year’s Day, January 1, on the other hand, is an official public holiday, so banks, government offices, and some businesses close. In 2027, January 1 falls on a Friday, creating a natural three-day weekend for many workers. The government may adjust the official holiday schedule, so travelers should check the latest announcement when planning around office hours.
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Christmas in Vietnam by city
Christmas celebrations in Vietnam vary by city, from lively street gatherings and cathedral celebrations to quieter local traditions. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer the biggest festive atmosphere, while destinations such as Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An and Ninh Binh provide a more relaxed experience. Here are some of the main cities to consider for Christmas in Vietnam:
St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Hanoi for a Cathedral-centered Christmas Eve
Hanoi has the most wintry Christmas atmosphere in Vietnam. December temperatures typically range from around 12–20°C, creating a distinctly seasonal Christmas in Vietnam compared with the country’s warmer southern cities.
- St. Joseph’s Cathedral: Located in the Old Quarter, this Gothic-style landmark is the focal point of Hanoi’s Christmas Eve celebrations, drawing thousands for its lights, music, photos and street food.
- Hang Ma Street: Hang Ma becomes especially festive in December with shops displaying Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, costumes and seasonal accessories. Visit in the first half of December if you prefer browsing and shopping without the Christmas Eve crowds.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: The lake and its pedestrian-friendly surroundings offer another popular place to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Travel tip: It is advisory to have dinner early and arrange your return journey in advance, as road closures and congestion can make taxis and ride-hailing services harder to access later in the evening.
Ho Chi Minh City with a brightest Christmas in Vietnam
If Hanoi feels like a traditional winter celebration, Ho Chi Minh City brings a more vibrant, tropical version of Christmas in Vietnam, with December temperatures around 25–30°C. On Christmas Eve, locals and visitors fill the central districts to enjoy festive lights, decorations and street celebrations.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon: As one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the cathedral is a major gathering point on Christmas Eve.
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Dong Khoi Street: These central thoroughfares are among the best places to experience the city’s Christmas decorations. Nguyen Hue features festive displays and popular photo spots, while Dong Khoi’s hotels, shopping centers and storefronts add to the seasonal atmosphere.
- Pham The Hien Street, District 8: This Catholic neighborhood in District 8 offers a more local Christmas atmosphere, with decorated churches and lively streets.
Travel tip: December 24 is particularly crowded, especially around central churches. Therefore, to enjoy the decorations without navigating the biggest crowds, you should visit during the first three weeks of December.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
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Christmas dinner in Phu Quoc
Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc for a more relaxed Christmas
Central Vietnam offers a different festive experience, combining a relatively laid-back atmosphere with distinctive local traditions. December is generally cooler, with temperatures often around 15–25°C depending on the destination, although rain and occasional wet weather remain possible.
In Da Nang, the city center and Han River waterfront are popular places to see seasonal decorations. Hotels, restaurants and shopping areas also organize Christmas dinners and festive activities, which makes the city a convenient choice for those who prefer a comfortable holiday atmosphere.
In Hoi An, Christmas decorations take on a distinctive character alongside the town’s traditional lanterns and historic architecture. The Old Town’s restaurants, cafés and boutique hotels often feature seasonal displays to bring about a charming setting for an evening stroll.
Travel tip: December can be rainy in central Vietnam, so keep your itinerary flexible and check the forecast before planning outdoor activities.
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Ninh Binh for a glimpse into Vietnam’s Catholic Heritage
For travelers interested in the religious and cultural side of Christmas in Vietnam, Phat Diem Cathedral is one of the most distinctive places to visit in northern area. Located in Ninh Binh, the cathedral complex is renowned for its unusual architectural blend of Vietnamese traditional design and Western Catholic influences.
Unlike the large urban celebrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Christmas in Phat Diem is closely connected to the local Catholic community. This makes it an interesting destination not only for religious visitors but also for travelers curious about Vietnam’s cultural history and architectural heritage.
Travel tip: Consider visiting Phat Diem as part of a wider Ninh Binh itinerary, combining the cathedral with Trang An, Tam Coc or other nearby attractions.
Phat Diem Cathedral
New Year’s Eve in Vietnam: Fireworks and countdown parties
New Year’s Eve in Vietnam is typically more public and entertainment-focused than Christmas, with lively Vietnam new year countdown shows, live performances and fireworks in major cities. Public events are generally free, while hotels and rooftop venues often offer ticketed celebrations.
- Hanoi: Fireworks were held at several locations, with Hoan Kiem Lake serving as major gathering point for countdown.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Fireworks were held at six locations, while Nguyen Hue Walking Street was the main hub for the public countdown.
- Nha Trang: An art program at 2/4 Square ended with a 15-minute fireworks display at midnight.
- Da Lat: Lam Vien Square hosted countdown performances, DJ sets and light shows, alongside fireworks at several locations.
- Ha Long: A countdown at 30/10 Square featured live entertainment and high-altitude fireworks.
Tip: Countdown areas become extremely crowded. Book accommodation nearby or arrange transport in advance, and check the latest official schedule for fireworks and road closures.
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Christmas and New Year’s Eve food in Vietnam
Christmas and New Year’s Eve bring a festive dining atmosphere across Vietnam. Although neither celebration is traditionally centered on specific Vietnamese dishes, hotels, restaurants, and cafés often prepare special menus featuring familiar international favorites alongside Vietnamese specialties and local flavors.
Christmas Eve is when festive dining is most noticeable, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hotels and international restaurants often offer set menus, buffets and Western-style Christmas dinners featuring roast meat, turkey, seafood, pasta and desserts.
New Year’s Eve in Vietnam is one of the busiest nights for restaurants in major cities. Rooftop bars, hotels and restaurants often host special dinners with live music, countdown parties or views of the fireworks.
In Hanoi, restaurants around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are convenient for combining dinner with the countdown while in Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 offers the widest choice, from rooftop dining to restaurants around Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Reserve Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners in advance if you want a hotel buffet, rooftop table or special set menu.
Is New Year in Vietnam the same as Tet?
One of the most common planning mistakes for a year end trip to Vietnam is assuming that “Vietnamese New Year” means January 1. In fact, Vietnam celebrates New Year twice:
- Tet Duong Lich (January 1): The international, solar-calendar New Year covered in this guide. Mostly countdown parties, fireworks and nightlife, with the country otherwise operating close to normally.
- Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year, “Tet”): The major Vietnamese festival, falling on a different date each year in late January or February. This is when the country genuinely shuts down: family reunions, ancestor worship, and a nine-day-plus public holiday period during which many small businesses, and some tourist services outside the largest cities, close entirely.
Travel between December 25 and January 1 offers a festive yet convenient year-end experience, with cities lively and tourist services largely available. Travel around Lunar New Year requires more careful planning due to business closures, busy transport networks and higher demand for accommodation.
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Planning tips for a year-end trip to Vietnam
Planning a trip around Christmas in Vietnam, New Year Eve in Vietnam, and the Vietnam New Year countdown means preparing for both regional weather differences and higher travel demand. December can feel very different across the country, so choose your destinations and packing list accordingly.
- Pack for the region: December weather varies significantly across Vietnam. Hanoi and Sapa are cool, with temperatures often dropping into the mid-teens at night, so bring layers and a light jacket. Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue are milder but can be rainy, so pack a lightweight rain jacket. Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc stay warm, generally in the high 20s to around 30°C, and are typically the best choices for dry, sunny holiday weather.
- Book flights and hotels early: Aim to book around 6–8 weeks in advance, particularly for popular areas such as Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Accommodation demand increases around Christmas in Vietnam and New Year’s Eve, especially at centrally located hotels.
- Plan airport transfers: Check traffic conditions on December 31, especially around major Vietnam New Year countdown venues. Road closures and heavy congestion can affect journeys to and from Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, so allow extra travel time.
- Budget for festive dining: Christmas Eve dinners and New Year’s Eve events often cost more than regular meals.
- Allow extra time at immigration: Airports can be busier during the year-end travel period, particularly in the final weeks of December. If arriving during peak hours, allow additional time for immigration and baggage collection.
Final Thoughts
A holiday combining Christmas in Vietnam with New Year Eve in Vietnam can bring together festive city celebrations, local traditions, great food and diverse landscapes. Experience a lively Vietnam New Year countdown, spend Christmas in a quieter destination, or build both celebrations into a multi-city itinerary.
If you’re planning to travel to Vietnam this holiday season, Travel Sense Asia can design a private itinerary around your interests, travel dates and preferred pace. Plan a short festive escape or a longer year-end trip to Vietnam, with local expertise to make your holiday journey smooth and stress-free.
FAQs
What time is Christmas in Vietnam?
Christmas is celebrated on December 25, with the biggest festivities usually taking place on Christmas Eve, December 24. Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam.
Does Vietnam celebrate New Year on January 1?
Yes. Vietnam celebrates the Gregorian New Year on January 1, which is a public holiday. New Year’s Eve on December 31 is typically marked by countdown events, concerts and fireworks in major cities.
Which city in Vietnam is best for celebrating Christmas?
Hanoi offers a cool-weather Christmas centered around St. Joseph’s Cathedral, while Ho Chi Minh City has bigger street celebrations, elaborate decorations and a warmer, more energetic atmosphere.
