Tet 2024 in HCMC: Don’t miss these in the coming Lunar New Year

Discover time-limited exceptional activities and experiences unique to Ho Chi Minh City during Tet 2024, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year: floating flower market, book festival,... This guide offers insights into the city's vibrant celebrations, local customs, and hidden gems, ideal for travelers and locals seeking an unforgettable Tet in 2024.
Tet 2024 in HCMC - Don't miss these in the coming Lunar New Year
Table of Contents

Calligraphy Street

About

The Calligraphy Street (also known as Phố Ông Đồ in Vietnamese) in Ho Chi Minh City is a significant part of the Vietnamese Tet 2024 celebrations. It is a cultural space that revives the tradition of calligraphy and showcases the beauty of Vietnamese New Year (Tet) customs. The festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with colorful decorations and a variety of cultural activities.

Calligraphy Street is preparing for opening
Calligraphy Street is preparing for opening

Time & place

The festival runs from January 24 to February 14, 2024, covering the period leading up to and including the Lunar New Year.

The Calligraphy Street is located at the Youth Culture House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, along Pham Ngoc Thach Street. See on maps >

Activities

These are the activities that visitors can enjoy at the Calligraphy Street in Tet 2024:

  • The festival features over 100 apricot blossom trees (mai) arranged in rows, creating a picturesque scene.
  • More than 50 young calligraphers (ông đồ) are present to write calligraphy works and offer them to visitors.
  • The festival includes a variety of traditional and modern cultural performances, such as “Xuân yêu thương – Xuân vạn phúc,” “Đờn ca tài tử Nam bộ,” and “Bài Chòi Trung bộ.”
  • Traditional Tet scenes are recreated, including a three-gabled house, craft villages, and a traditional kitchen setting.
  • The festival uses eco-friendly materials like clay pots, conical hats, and woven mats to create a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics.
Tourists at Calligraphy Street
Tourists at Calligraphy Street
Art vendors at Calligraphy Street
Art vendors at Calligraphy Street

Check-in Ben Thanh Market

About

Ben Thanh Market is one of the most iconic and popular destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, especially during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

During Tet 2024, Ben Thanh Market typically transforms into a bustling and vibrant hub of activity. There are a lot of flowers decorated in front of the Southern Gate of the market, making it one of the most popular check-in places for Lunar New Year 2024.

Check in Ben Thanh Market in Tet 2024
Check in Ben Thanh Market in Tet 2024

Time & place

The decorations at Ben Thanh Market will last from the beginning of January 2024 till the end of February 2024 – a long time for visitors to come and check in the place for this Lunar New Year.

Activities

Visitors and locals flock to the market in Tet 2024 for these activities:

  1. Shopping: The market is known for its wide range of goods, including traditional Tet decorations, clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs.

  2. Culinary Experience: It’s a great place to enjoy traditional Vietnamese Tet foods and delicacies.

  3. Cultural Experience: The market often features decorations and displays related to Tet, offering a glimpse into Vietnamese traditions and customs during the Lunar New Year.

  4. Photography and Social Media Check-ins: With its lively atmosphere and colorful setting, Ben Thanh Market becomes a popular spot for photography and social media check-ins during Tet.

Floating flower market

About

The Floating Flower Market is a traditional spring flower market organized annually in Ho Chi Minh City. This market is a significant cultural event that celebrates the Lunar New Year (Tet) in Vietnam. It features a unique setting where flower vendors display their goods both on the wharf and on boats, creating a picturesque and vibrant atmosphere.

Floating Flower Market Tet 2024
Floating Flower Market Tet 2024

Time & place

The market is scheduled to take place from January 25 to February 9, 2024. The main cultural and artistic activities at the central stage are planned from the night of February 4 to February 8, 2024.

The event is set along the Tau Hu – Ben Nghe canal on Ben Binh Dong Road, spanning across Wards 13 and 14 in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City.

Activities

These are activities that visitors can explore at the Floating Flower Market Tet 2024:

  • The market will showcase decorative scenes, including a special space for flowers from Da Lat and artistic red pottery from Vinh Long province.
  • Artistic lighting and scenic decorations will be set up on pedestrian bridge number 7 and along the canal.
  • Traditional activities like the Pho Ong Do (Street of Calligraphers) will be organized.
  • The “Nghia Tinh Street” will be decorated near the old house on Ben Binh Dong Road.
  • Various competitions such as art photography, flower house decoration, and traditional Vietnamese calligraphy will be held.
  • Cultural performances, including Lion-Dragon dances and Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern folk music), will entertain the visitors.
  • Food stalls and experience booths for making and cooking traditional Tet dishes like Banh Tet will be available.
Floating Flower Market in Ho Chi Minh City - Tet 2024 - from above
Floating Flower Market in Ho Chi Minh City - Tet 2024 - from above

Tet 2024 Book Festival

About

The Tet 2024 Book Festival, themed “Xuân yêu thương – Tết sum vầy” (A Loving Spring – A Reunited Tet), is a cultural event that celebrates the Lunar New Year in Ho Chi Minh City. It aims to promote reading culture among the public and provides a festive, educational space for residents and visitors during the Tet holiday.

This festival is held along Nguyen Hue Flower Street, which will be decorated with a 100-meter-long Dragon in this Lunar New Year 2024.

Tet 2024 Book Festival in Ho Chi Minh City - the concept
Tet 2024 Book Festival in Ho Chi Minh City - the concept

Time & place

The Tet 2024 Book Festival is scheduled to take place from February 7 to February 14, 2024, coinciding with the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Visitors can join this event on Le Loi Street, stretching from Nguyen Hue to Quach Thi Trang roundabout, in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Activities

When visiting the book festival 2024, you can enjoy these activities:

  • The festival will feature over 3,000 book titles, equivalent to about 59,000 copies, from more than 20 participating units, including major publishers and book companies.
  • Special activities include the “Lì xì sách” (Book Lucky Money) program on February 10, where visitors have the chance to receive books as gifts.
  • On Valentine’s Day, coinciding with the last day of the festival, there will be a “Sách và Tình yêu” (Books and Love) program with acoustic music performances.
  • The festival will also host a “Phá cỗ sách Tết” (Breaking the Tet Book Feast) event, where books will be gifted to participants.
  • Exhibitions and displays will include a large Dong Son bronze drum scene, a dragon mascot, and a variety of thematic areas showcasing literature, history, and culture.
The planned layout for Book Festival Tet 2024 - HCMC
The planned layout for Book Festival Tet 2024 - HCMC

Do a Saigon Sightseeing Tour

Another activity that tourists should consider is the Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Tour during Tet 2024 for a unique and immersive experience of the city’s vibrant culture and history. This private tour, lasting about 4 hours, offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing its must-see highlights. Key attractions include the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, the Pink Church of Tan Dinh, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Each of these landmarks represents a blend of historical, cultural, and architectural significance, providing a comprehensive overview of the city’s rich heritage.

During Tet, the city is especially lively and adorned with festive decorations, making it an ideal time to experience the local culture and traditions. The tour’s customization options allow visitors to tailor their journey according to personal interests, ensuring a memorable and personalized experience. Additionally, the choice of exploring the city on a motorbike adds an authentic and thrilling dimension to the tour, allowing tourists to experience the city like a local. With the inclusion of an English-speaking private driver, bottled water, and entrance tickets, this tour promises convenience, education, and entertainment, making it a must-do for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City during Tet 2024.

Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Tour: Highlights & Must-see

Watch Fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City

Fireworks displays are a significant part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City. In this Lunar New Year, Ho Chi Minh City plans to increase the number of fireworks locations for the Tet 2024 celebration. The fireworks display will take place from 0:00 to 0:15 AM on February 10, 2024.

Here are the locations where you can watch the fireworks in Ho Chi Minh City:

  1. Thu Thiem Square (near Saigon River Tunnel)
  2. Ben Noc Memorial Temple
  3. Dam Sen Waterpark
  4. Can Thanh Town, Can Gio
  5. Ben Duoc Temple, Cu Chi
  6. Memorial Site of 1968, Binh Chanh District
  7. The two other locations will be updated soon by the government
Fireworks display in Ho Chi Minh City - Lunar New Year - Tet
Fireworks display in Ho Chi Minh City - Lunar New Year - Tet

3D Light Show at City Hall

For the Lunar New Year – Tet 2024, Ho Chi Minh City is planning a special 3D light show at the City Hall building. This event is scheduled from 8 PM on February 9th to 0:30 AM on February 10th. The funding for this activity will come from public-private partnership sources.

However, visitors can only enjoy the 3D light show outside the City Hall.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall is planning to have Light Show for Tet 2024
Ho Chi Minh City Hall is planning to have Light Show for Tet 2024

About Lunar New Year - Tet 2024

When is Tet 2024?

Tet 2024, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falls on Saturday, February 10th, and usually lasts for a week. Tet is based on the Lunar calendar and marks the arrival of spring, making it one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in Vietnam.

In practice, while the official public holiday might be shorter, many Vietnamese people extend their celebrations or take additional time off work to spend with family and friends, with festivities and various traditional activities continuing for up to a week or more. The length of the holiday can vary depending on the region and individual workplace policies.

What is the zodiac animal for Tet 2024?

Tet 2024 marks the year of the Dragon according to the Vietnamese zodiac. The Dragon is a symbol of power, nobility, and luck. It is believed that people born in the year of the Dragon are ambitious, brave, and passionate. Tet 2024 will be a special year for those born in previous years of the Dragon, as it is their zodiac return year, known as “năm tuổi.” It’s a year of reflection, major life decisions, and significant celebrations for them.

Other related articles to Vietnam 2024

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