Vietnam is not only famous for its breathtaking beauty, but also for its rich culture and festivals. These festivals not only showcase the culture and religion but also reveal the true lifestyle of the Vietnamese.Whether it's about welcoming the new year, honouring ancestors, or lighting lanterns on the full moon night, each festival is unique in its own way. The unique blend of festivals and lifestyle makes Vietnam different from the rest of the world. In this blog, we’ll take you through the city’s most vibrant festivals and celebration seasons, giving you the perfect guide to explore it with joy and purpose.

Vu Lan festival, also known as Wandering Souls Day, is celebrated on the 7th full moon day. On this day, people remember their ancestors and departed souls and pray for them, by offering flowers and food in temples and Pagodas. Why is this so important? On this day, people also show respect and gratitude to parents and elders. This festival reflects duty, faith and family values and connects people to their ancestors.

Ever seen a festival honouring gods, ancestors, and leaders together?Kate is a traditional festival of the Cham community of Vietnam, which is celebrated to offer prayers to gods, ancestors and leaders by traditional rituals, music, dance and offering.This festival starts by offering food, flowers and traditional dishes in the temples and towers. Then people perform cultural presentations with traditional music, dance, and colourful costumes.This is not only a symbol of religious faith, but also a medium to keep the rich culture and traditions of the Cham community alive.

The beauty of Vietnam is not limited to its natural valleys and historical architecture, but also hidden in its festivals. Festivals in Vietnam bring with them a unique story, tradition and experience. Some of these are to connect to the ancestors, while others are to keep the culture and tradition alive.These are some popular festivals in Vietnam which make its beauty shine even more in the world.

Curious what makes Vietnam shine brighter than ever in Jan or Feb? Let’s explore the magic of Tet festival in Vietnam, the New Year.During this time, people clean their homes and decorate them with vibrant colours, mainly red and yellow, which symbolise luck and prosperity. In the North, people decorate their homes with peach blossoms, and in the South with Apricot blossoms.Tet is the biggest festival in Vietnam. Everyone spends time with their families and friends and honours ancestors by worshipping them - one of the most magical and colourful cultural explosions in Southeast Asia is what you get to see!

The Hung Kings' Temple is one of the most important festivals in Vietnam. This is celebrated in remembrance of Hung King, who is the founder of Vietnam. This festival is mainly celebrated at the end of March and is observed with great faith and excitement all over the country. What do people do during this festival? People visit the temple, bring flowers, and participate in various rituals that reflect the rich history and culture of Vietnam.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, called Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, is a favourite time of year for kids, celebrated around September-October when the full moon shines in the sky. What makes Tet Trung Thu so special for children? Children play in the light of colourful lanterns, take part in a dragon dance (a cultural performance symbolising prosperity, power, and good luck) and attend cultural programs.The main part of the festival is the exchange of moon cakes.

The Perfume Pagoda festival is a traditional festival in Vietnam, which falls between January and April. This festival is celebrated in a temple near the bank of the Yen River. People from every corner of the country come to pray for wellness and prosperity. What makes it so exciting? Crossing the river by boat is also an exciting part of this journey.The Perfume Pagoda festival not only represents the spirituality of people but also represents the natural beauty and culture of Vietnam.

The Hue Festival is one of Vietnam’s most exciting celebrations. This is organised every 2 years in the historic city of Hue, which was once the capital of the country. In this festival, the culture, art, music, dance, and fashion of Vietnam are expressed in a very authentic and spectacular way. What makes this celebration truly unforgettable?Lantern shows, colourful processions, cultural clothes and dance performances are the main features of this festival.

The festival is famous in Northern Vietnam, which is celebrated on the 13th day of the first lunar month. What makes the Lim Festival so special?Singing traditional folk songs (Quan Ho), playing games and taking out processions make it even more vibrant. The Lim festival is not only for dance or music but also a great way to keep the folklore and culture of Vietnam alive.

The Cold Food Festival, also known as Tet Han Thuc, is celebrated on 3rd April in Vietnam. On this day, people don't light up gas and eat raw or cold food.The main attraction of the festival is banh troi and banh chay, which are dishes made with salt and rice. These are made by the family together as an offering to the ancestors. This festival represents the strength of family and respect towards ancestors.

This is celebrated in remembrance of Saint Giong, in Hanoi and nearby places. He was the people's leader of Vietnam. Why do people celebrate Saint Giong? Vietnamese folklore states that Saint Giong fought against foreign invaders in his childhood for Vietnam. Parades and processions are held, plays and traditional rituals are performed in this festival.This festival not only shows the courage and history but also motivates the youth towards unity and patriotism.

Top 10 Festivals in Vietnam

Vietnam

Shruti Patidar 20 Sep 2025

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