Discover More Vietnamese Festivals 2025 in Our Travel Guides and uncover the heartbeats of a country where ancient traditions dance with modern life. From serene lantern-lit evenings to electrifying ethnic celebrations in the mountains, each festival invites you to live deeper, connect stronger, and collect moments that no camera can fully capture.
At Nomadic Vietnam, we’ve crafted this cultural calendar so you can plan your journey around Vietnam’s most meaningful celebrations. Whether you’re working remotely from a beachside café or hiking through misty hills, these festivals will color your stay with authenticity and joy.
Keep reading to explore the best Vietnamese festivals of 2025!
1. Mid-Autumn Festival (Vietnamese Festivals 2025)
🗓️ Mid-September 2025
Description: Known as Tết Trung Thu, this luminous festival lights up the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (mid-September). Picture thousands of lanterns glowing in the ancient streets of Hoi An, joyful lion dances, and the sweet aroma of mooncakes filling the air. It’s a celebration of family, harvest, and hope.
Why for Nomads: After a day of remote work, step into a world of color and wonder. Perfect for photographers and cultural explorers, this magical evening will leave you spellbound.
Tips for Nomads:
- Join lantern-making workshops in Hoi An ($5).
- Stay productive during the day, then enjoy parades by the river at night.
- Book accommodations early this small town gets packed with joy-seekers.
2. Vu Lan Festival (Vietnamese Festivals 2025)
🗓️ Late August 2025
Description: Held on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, Vu Lan is Vietnam’s version of the Ghost Festival a time to honor parents and ancestors. In cities like Hue and Da Nang, temples glow with lanterns while prayers echo in the evening air. Riverbanks shimmer as families release floating lights, hoping to guide lost souls home.
Why for Nomads: A quiet pause in your travels. Vu Lan is a moment of spiritual reflection deeply moving and peaceful perfect for a cultural reset.
Tips for Nomads:
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue for an authentic experience.
- Mornings are ideal for coworking – evenings for ceremonies.
- Dress modestly, keep your phone silent, and soak in the stillness.
3. Kate Festival (Vietnamese Festivals 2025)
🗓️ October 2025
Description: Kate is the soul of the Cham people celebrated across Ninh Thuan and Dak Lak. Expect rhythmic gong performances, vibrant traditional attire, and sacred rituals held at thousand-year-old Cham towers. This is not your average tourist event it’s an ethnic celebration pulsing with history.
Why for Nomads: Perfect for adventurous souls and lovers of off-the-beaten-path cultural gems. Here, you’re not just watching you’re part of the story.
Tips for Nomads:
- Take a bus from Da Nang to Ninh Thuan (~$15, 6 hours).
- Pack a light laptop and work from local cafés.
- Ask locals about exact dates schedules follow the Cham lunar calendar.
4. H’Mong New Year (Vietnamese Festivals 2025)
🗓️ December 2025
Description: High up in the northern mountains, the H’Mong community welcomes the new year with flower-throwing games, drumbeats, and vivid market scenes. It’s a time of rebirth, reunion, and revelry. Sapa transforms into a lively mosaic of color and laughter.
Why for Nomads: Cap off your year in the poetic mist of Sapa. Celebrate with locals, try traditional H’Mong dishes, and feel the warmth of a truly welcoming culture.
Tips for Nomads:
- Stay at a homestay in Sapa ($15/night) for full immersion.
- Mornings for work, afternoons for markets and music.
- Bring warm clothes – it gets cold up there!
5. Tet Nguyen Dan (Plan Ahead for Late January 2026)
🗓️ Prepare in December 2025
Description: Tet Vietnam’s grand Lunar New Year arrives in late January 2026, but the excitement builds weeks in advance. Streets bloom with peach blossoms, families clean homes, and children await red envelopes (lì xì) full of luck. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City radiate festive energy.
Why for Nomads: Whether it’s your first or fifth time in Vietnam, Tet is unmissable. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and join locals in welcoming a fresh start.
Tips for Nomads:
- Book your travel by early December prices skyrocket.
- Work through early January, then go offline to enjoy the full Tet vibe.
- Celebrate in Hanoi for flower markets and street traditions.
Celebrate 2025 with Heart and Purpose
As 2025 unfolds, let your travel plans go beyond sightseeing. Let them beat in rhythm with lanterns swaying in Hoi An, prayers whispered in Hue, and drums echoing in Sapa’s valleys. With our curated list of Vietnamese Festivals 2025, you’re not just a tourist you’re part of a living tradition.
At Nomadic Vietnam, we’re more than a guide we’re your cultural companion.
✨ Which festival are you most excited for? Drop a comment below!
📖 And don’t miss our featured piece: Top 5 Vietnamese Festivals Nomads Should Experience
