Vietnam changes its scent during Tet. The familiar, rhythmic hum of motorbike fumes and street-side grilling is replaced by something more ancient, more intentional. As you plan your trip for Vietnam Tet 2026, you will notice the air filling with the smell of burning incense, the earthy pungency of marigolds, and the distinct, sharp aroma of coriander baths. To be in Vietnam during this time is to witness a nation exhale.
As we approach the Tet holiday in 2026, the atmosphere is charged with a unique energy. Whether you are a first-time traveler caught in the “chaos” of preparation or an expat seeking the silence of celebration, this guide is your sensory compass for navigating the Vietnam Tet 2026 season.
Vietnam Tet 2026 At A Glance: Dates & Logistics
Official Tet Day 2026
Public Holiday Period
Zodiac Animal
Primary Traditions
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
February 14 (Saturday) – February 22 (Sunday), 2026
The Fire Horse (Energy, Movement, Exploration)
Ancestor worship, Li Xi (Lucky Money), Spring cleaning
Saigon Weather
Hanoi Weather
Business Status
NOTE – The Scent Lab
Dry & Hot (25°C – 34°C); Peak Sunshine
Cold & Misty (14°C – 20°C); Drizzly “Lustrous” rain
Most shops/museums close Feb 16-18
OPEN throughout the holiday at The Cafe Apartment – 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse
In the Vietnamese zodiac, 2026 belongs to the Fire Horse (Bính Ngọ). If the previous years were about groundedness and recovery, the Fire Horse represents a surge of kinetic energy. It is a year of exploration, movement, and bold strides.
For the traveler, this means Tet 2026 is not the year to stay confined to your hotel room. While the streets may physically quiet down during the silence of celebration during February 17th to 19th, the spiritual and cultural energy is at its peak. The transition is stark: from now until February 16, the country is in a fever dream of preparation. Flowers are transported by the thousands on the backs of small bikes, and every household is scrubbed clean to welcome luck.
Then, at the stroke of midnight on the 17th, the city holds its breath. This is the “quiet luxury” of Vietnam Tet 2026 — the rare chance to see Vietnam’s metropolises without the veil of traffic.
The Olfactory Traditions: What Does Tet Smell Like?
At our core, we believe that to understand a culture, you must breathe it in. In Vietnam, scent is the invisible thread that connects the mundane to the divine. During Tet 2026, this connection becomes palpable. As families prepare to welcome their ancestors back to the earthly realm, the air becomes a complex narrative of purification, memory, and hope.
To a local, these scents are the signals that the old year has truly passed. To a traveler, they are a sensory gateway into the Vietnamese soul.
The three scents of purification
Coriander (Mùi già)
In Northern Vietnam, the late afternoon of the 30th day of the lunar month (the eve of Tet) is defined by a singular aroma: the spicy, earthy scent of old coriander.
The Custom
The Meaning
Agarwood (Trầm hương)
Walk past any temple or family altar during Tet, and you will encounter the deep, mystical, and balsamic scent of agarwood. Often hailed as the “green gold of Asia,” its value often exceeds that of gold itself.
The Legend
The Spiritual Role
Pomelo & Lime
If agarwood is for the spirits, the bright, zesty aroma of pomelo and lime leaves is for the home.
The Ritual
The Meaning
How to Enjoy the "Quiet Days" of Tet 2026
The “Tet Problem” is well-documented and often feared by the uninitiated: On February 17 and 18, 2026, the southern metropolis, usually a titan of noise and industry, effectively falls into a deep slumber. The museums shutter their doors, the legendary street food stalls vanish into the alleyways, and many travelers find themselves feeling “stuck” in a city that has seemingly forgotten them.
However, we invite you to view this not as a problem to be solved. In the Year of the Fire Horse, where energy and movement are the default, the silence of celebration is the ultimate quiet luxury. It is the only time in your life you will witness the grand boulevards of District 1 as they were meant to be seen: as architectural masterpieces, rather than a backdrop for a million motorbikes.
Top 5 Activities for Tet 2026 in Vietnam: The Saigon Edition
If you find yourself in the heart of the city during the holiday, here is how to navigate those days:
1. The Balcony View of the Flower Street
The Nguyen Hue Flower Street is the visual heart of Vietnam Tet 2026, featuring massive, kinetic Horse installations. While the ground level can be hot and overwhelming, the best perspective is from above.
Location: Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
The Move: Visit NOTE – The Scent Lab for a perfume workshop and take your finished scent out to the balcony. Watching the vibrant colors of the Flower Street from an open, elevated Cafe Apartment is the most sophisticated way to witness the spectacle.
2. The Scent Sanctuary
On the second floor of the iconic Cafe Apartment building, you push open the glass door of NOTE – The Scent Lab store, and the city vanishes.
The roar of the motorbikes outside is replaced by a hushed, cool silence. The air here smells complex—not like a department store perfume counter, which often smells of alcohol and aggression, but like a forest after rain. There is cedar, moss, and the faint, sweet tang of citrus.
3. Cultural Immersion
Escape the 34°C midday heat by booking a perfume-making workshop that captures the scent of Tet.
Just a few steps away from the store, you can move from observation to creation. In the shared, sun-drenched space of Gom Saigon’s café, NOTE invites you to bottle the spirit of Vietnam New Year.
To capture “Tet in a bottle,” we have curated a seasonal olfactory library that balances the vibrant energy of the Fire Horse with the grounded traditions of the Vietnamese home. During your workshop, you will work with these evocative accords:
The Tet Olfactory Palette
Apricot
Cilantro
Pink peppercorn
Lemon
Sandalwood
Whether you lean into the bright, tropical energy of lemon and apricot or the deep, herbal tradition of cilantro and sandalwood, your bespoke perfume becomes the ultimate diary of your journey. It is a souvenir that lives on your skin, ready to transport you back to the Vietnamese Tet spirit with a single spritz.
4. Spiritual Stillness at Jade Emperor Pagoda
While the streets of District 1 enjoy a rare, hushed slumber, the temples of Saigon wake up in a brilliant display of light and devotion. To truly witness the spiritual heart of the city during Vietnam Tet 2026, make your way to the Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng) at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street.
Recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument, this century-old sanctuary is more than just a tourist landmark; it is a spiritual anchor for the local community. Built at the turn of the 20th century with its signature bright red brick walls and intricate yin-yang tile roofs, the pagoda represents a stunning fusion of Cantonese heritage and Vietnamese Buddhist tradition.
The Experience: A Transition of Worlds
Stepping through the gate during the Tet “freeze” is like crossing a threshold between dimensions. Outside, the silence of the Year of the Fire Horse reigns. Inside, the air hums with a quiet, intense fervor. You will see locals dressed in their finest Ao Dai, holding lotus flowers and small red envelopes, moving through the smoke-filled halls to pray for peace, health, and—most famously at this specific temple—for the blessing of children and family harmony.
The Olfactory Connection
This is where your sensory journey reaches its crescendo. At the Jade Emperor Pagoda, you will experience agarwood (oud) in its most potent and communal form. During Tet, the sheer volume of incense being offered creates what locals call a “sacred fog.”
The air is filled with the deep, balsamic, and primal aroma of “green gold” burning in massive bronze censers. This scent is believed to cleanse the spirit of the visitor, carrying their New Year’s whispers directly to the Emperor. For a traveler, standing amidst these clouds of smoke is a profound immersion into a 1,000-year-old tradition of purification.
The Insider Move
After offering your prayers, take a moment by the Golden Tortoise pond in the courtyard. The sight of hundreds of tortoises—symbols of longevity and wisdom—sunbathing in the quiet afternoon light offers a moment of “spiritual stillness” that perfectly counters the sensory intensity of the incense halls.
Note for 2026: Even during the peak days of Tet (Feb 17-18), the pagoda remains open, serving as a sanctuary for those seeking a meaningful start to the Year of the Horse. It is one of the few places where the energy of the city is not lost, but rather transformed into something divine.
5. Urban Photography: The "Quiet City" Aesthetic
For a few days, the usually lethal traffic of Le Loi and Dong Khoi streets disappears.
The Opportunity: This is a photographer’s dream. Capture the French colonial architecture and the bright yellow hoa mai (yellow blossoms) against the backdrop of empty, sun-drenched boulevards. It is a side of Saigon that only exists for 72 hours a year.
A Culinary Reward: Giving Yourself a One-of-a-Kind Tet Treat
After a day spent navigating the humid sunshine of the Flower Street or the contemplative silence of the temples, the evening calls for more than just a meal. In the spirit of the Year of the Fire Horse—a year of exploration and bold strides—give yourself the treat of an unparalleled culinary experience during Vietnam Tet 2026.
These two venues offer a sophisticated homecoming for the senses. They are sanctuaries where the energy of the holiday is distilled into something rare, beautiful, and profoundly local.
Miên Saigon: The Gentle Embrace of Transformation
The name “Miên” carries a poetic duality in Hán Nôm: it refers to the vibrant Kapok flower (hoa gạo) and the “roof” (mái nhà). In East Asian culture, the roof is the ultimate symbol of protection, a sanctuary that shields the spirit from the elements and the ebbing flows of time.
The Place
The Treat
Location: 50A Dang Dung, Tan Dinh Ward (District 1), Ho Chi Minh City.
Explore Miên Saigon.
Nôm Dining: A Tribute to Cultural Independence
Nôm is a living celebration of the Vietnamese soul. Its name is a tribute to Chữ Nôm — the ancient, logographic script created to preserve Vietnam’s unique linguistic identity. Just as that script captured the “vernacular” voice of the people, Nôm Dining captures the vernacular soul of the land.
The Experience
The Treat
Location: 53 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Dinh Ward (District 1), Ho Chi Minh City.
Discover Nôm Dining
Dining at either of these venues is the ultimate romantic thing to do in Saigon during Tet. It is a sophisticated, sensory reward that recognizes the beauty of the journey you have taken to get here.
Looking for more affordable options? Head to Escape the Heat: Best Indoor Activities in Saigon During Tet 2026 for a selection of affordable Vietnamese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Gifting Guide: The Art of "Li Xi" and Scent Memories
Tet is the season of giving. While the tradition of Li Xi (Red Envelopes) usually involves crisp banknotes, the modern traveler can participate through scent memories.
In 2026, the trend is moving away from mass-produced trinkets toward gifts with intentionality. Instead of a magnet, consider a “Year of the Horse” limited edition scent or a bespoke gift set. It is a way to wrap up a genuine piece of the city’s atmosphere—a meaningful, local touch that lingers long after your flight home.
Tet Survival Guide 2026: Logistics for the Smart Traveler
To enjoy Tet, you must plan like a local. The following logistics are critical for a stress-free holiday.
The Financial Freeze
- Advice: ATMs in tourist areas (Bui Vien, Thao Dien, Old Quarter) often run out of cash by the 3rd day of the holiday. Withdraw your “Tet Stash” of cash (VND) by February 11, 2026.
- Cash is King: While malls accept cards, smaller cafes and shops often revert to cash-only during Tet.
The “Lucky Money” Surcharge
You will notice prices increase by 20-30% during the holiday.
- The Context: This is not a “tourist scam.” It is a customary surcharge to cover the “holiday pay” for staff who are working instead of being with their families.
- The Culture: Accept the surcharge with a smile—it is considered good karma. Tipping (Li Xi) your workshop instructor or elevator operator with a crisp 50,000 VND note in a red envelope is a culturally savvy move that will earn you immense respect.
Transportation Tactics
- Grab/Be/XanhSM: Apps still work, but drivers are scarce. Expect longer wait times and permanent surge pricing.
Walking: This is the best time for walking. The usually lethal traffic of District 1 evaporates, making the stroll from the Opera House to the river truly pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
