Traditional Vietnamese Festivals You Shouldnt Miss In 2025

Vietnam is an incredible amalgamation of natural beauty, impressive skyscrapers, and kaleidoscopic cultures that travellers can witness and experience in the traditional cultural events and Vietnam Festivals of 2025. This nation's rich history and artistic manifestations are best reflected in its festivals. If any of these seem underway during your trip, consider yourself lucky! Vietnam is a country rich in traditions, and its festivals are some of the most lively in Southeast Asia.

Whether a national holiday like Tet or a local event like the Hue Festival, each celebration offers a distinct glimpse into cultural events in Vietnam. These festivals are deeply rooted in history, spirituality, and community, making them fascinating travel experiences.

If you travel to Vietnam during festivals, this blog guide will help you explore the most exciting cultural events. From ancient traditions to modern celebrations, here are the top 14 Vietnam festivals you shouldn't miss.

Vietnam's festivals 2025 are exciting celebrations offering a unique view of the country's rich heritage. From the lively Tet Nguyen Dan to the enchanting Mid Autumns Festival are a feast for the senses featuring traditional music, dance performances, and high-energy activities such as dragon boat raves and street events usually offer a capturing experience where travellers and locals can engage in traditional Vietnamese festivals, taste authentic cuisine, and participate in time-honoured rituals. Each festival tells a story weaving together legend and history that have shaped the nation's identity.

14 Vietnam Festivals in 2025 That One Must Experience

1. Wandering Souls Day

It is considered one of the best full-moon Vietnam festivals in 2025. On the 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month, ancestors can visit their families.

Today, families flock to Buddhist temples, offering respect to their loved ones and having cakes, treats, food, etc. This extraordinary tradition is a part of Vietnamese festivals and celebrations. It is a traditional Vietnamese festival that honours deceased ancestors and lost souls. Families during this festival offer food, incense and paper items at altars and temples. During this time, spirits are believed to return to the living world, and offerings help guide and comfort them peacefully.

• Held on- September 6, 2025
  
  

2. Hoi An Lantern Festival

If you want to experience an enchanting display, you should not miss the Hoi An Lantern Festival. It is a lantern Vietnam Festival in 2025 that takes solace every month, changing the quaint UNESCO World Heritage Site in an awe-inspiring display of lanterns of all shapes, sizes, and colours. Every restaurant, bar, shop, and business in the Ancient Town stops using electricity and lights up their venues with hundreds of lanterns and candles. This festival is in Hoi An, and the Ancient Town area is the best place to celebrate. This is also considered the best festival in Vietnam, known as the Light Festival.

• Held On- 14th day of every lunar month
  
  

3. Halloween

Halloween falls on the last day of October, and the Vietnamese have recently started celebrating this festival. Halloween is one of the best festivals in Vietnam worldwide. Whether it is India or Vietnam, the younger generation celebrates festivals that sound fun and have a great concept. The popular spot to witness the celebrations is Hang Ma Street, from Pumpkin lanterns to decorations, masks, and witch hats. You can even head to any bar or club and have a great time dressed in your Halloween costumes while celebrating the cultural events in Vietnam. In Vietnam, youth celebrate Halloween with costumes, parties and themed events, especially in cities and schools.

• Held On- October 31
  
  

4. Mid-Autumn Festival

This is one of the best festivals, celebrated on the 14th and 15th day of the lunar month. It is a very colourful festival wherein children and adults come together to enjoy the festivities. Lanterns are lit at night, making this Vietnam festival of 2025 more worthy of visiting. Also known as the harvest festival, exceptional food like moon cakes, jellies, and biscuits are prepared and served during the traditional Vietnamese festivals. Do not miss the Lion Dance performed today, as it is a real spectacle and many travellers worldwide take part in this festival. The Mid Autumn festival is celebrated across Asia to honour the harvest and family reunion. In Vietnam, it is marked by lantern parades, mooncakes, lion dances, and joyful gatherings under the full moon.

• Held on- October 6 2025
  
  

5. Vietnam Independence Day

Every year, on September 2, Vietnam celebrates the grand euphoric day of its independence. On this day, the president of Vietnam read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, an eminent historical and cultural event in Vietnam for locals. This festival is the country's national day and a public holiday. Parades are organised, and people celebrate them with great zeal and zest. On this day, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Honoi's Ba Dinh Square. The cultural event in Vietnam is honoured with patriotic displays, parades, and cultural celebrations.

• Held on- September 2 2025
  
  

6. Reunification Day

Celebrated throughout Vietnam, Reunification Day is another one of the Vietnam festivals in 2025, which is a national festival as well as a public holiday. On April 30, South Vietnam was free from American troops and came under one government with North Vietnam. The people of Vietnam celebrate their unification at this festival. Events are organised in different parts of the country, like Ethnic group performances and exhibitions in Spas, displays of fireworks of international teams in Dancing and a fantastic parade in Hanoi celebrating the traditional Vietnamese festival. You can attend all the festivities, and if you're on vacation in Vietnam, you can do so on their liberation day.

• Held on- April 30 2025

7. Buddha's Birthday

Buddha's Birthday is celebrated by devotees nationwide and is one of the traditional Vietnamese festivals. Various temples throughout the country are adorned with lavish decorations, and locals offer Vietnamese dishes, flower garlands, and fruits. Thousand of visitors flock to Hoi An, considered the best place to celebrate this day and partake in prayer sessions and street parades. Buddha's Birthday is held at Phap Bao Pagoda, and the day starts with a procession of people making their way to the temple to listen to Buddhist scriptures and perform religious rites, making it one of the best and worth visiting Vietnam festivals in 2025. 

• Held On- May 12 2025

8. Hue Festival

This Vietnam music festival is one of the significant Vietnamese festivals and celebrations that occurs every two years in the UNSECO-listed Hue City. Experience and enjoy a fantastic array of games, cultural events, and occasions held for a week—one of the famous traditional Vietnamese festivals that involves activities like drum dialogue. Hue Poetry Festival and Ao Dai Fashion Shows, human chess, boat racing, kite flying, and more will never be dull at this festival. You can also enjoy art exhibitions, film screenings, acrobatics, puppetry, street performances, and cultural festivals in Vietnam, which are part of traditional customs practised by the Nguyen Dynasty back then.

• Held On- March 25 to April 7, 2025
  
  

9. Hung King Temple Festival

One of the most eminent Vietnamese festivals, the Hung King Temple Festival is one of the National public holidays. This traditional Vietnamese festival is celebrated in all the Hung King temples spread throughout the country. If you want to attend the event, visit the Hung Temple in Phong Chau District, Phu Tho province, where the main ceremony is held. This festival is celebrated every year during the lunar month. The day is not decided, but usually, it is the 8th or 11th day of the lunar month. Whether or not you visit the main temple, you can participate in the nationwide Vietnamese holiday celebrations.

• Held On- April 7 2025
  
  

10. Hanshi Festival

Also known as the Cold Food Festival, Hanshi Festival Vietnam is one of the unique Vietnam festivals 2025 celebrated in honour of Jie Zhitui, a loyal underman of the Duke of Quin in the 7th century BC. As per the Vietnam events calendar, the Duke neglected his loyal underman and retreated to the woods with his mother. Jie refused all the requests and appeals from the Duke to return, which made the Duke light his house on fire to lure them out to the city. But he refuses and instead dies in the fire. The Duke then commemorated the traditional Vietnamese festival, remembering when fire lighting was prohibited for the day.

• Held on March 31 2025
  
  

11. Phu Giay Festival

This festival, proposed in honour of Mother Saint Lieu Hanh, is celebrated in Phu Giay Temple of Nam Dinh province, 55 km from Hanoi city. You should come all this way to watch the most significant and original festivity and cultural events in Vietnam here. People wear traditional costumes and carry ornate bamboo relics. Of course, cultural activities and local games will be held at this festival. This festival is celebrated in the third lunar month and features colourful processions, folk games, traditional music, and spirit-possession rituals. Devotees flock to Phu Giay Temple, seeking blessings, prosperity, and spiritual connections with the divine making it one of the most fascinating traditional Vietnamese festivals.

• Held on- 31st March 2025- 5th April 2025
  
  

12. Perform Pagoda Festival

Regarding Vietnam Festivals 2025, the Perform Pagoda is one of the best festivals in Vietnam, and it is another critical one. The Perfume Pagoda is the most famous pilgrimage site in the country, and it welcomes thousands of pilgrims who make their way to the sacred caves to pray for a happy and prosperous year ahead. During the traditional Vietnamese festival, devotees travel through a scenic gauntlet to the caves. Pass through a picturesque landscape of limestone mountains via boast, rice paddles, walk past historic shrines, and about a hundred steps made of stones to arrive at the ultimate destination.

• Held On- February 3 to April 27 2025

13. Lim Festival

One of the traditional Vietnamese festivals, Lim Festival is the celebration of Quan Ho singing. Today, people in Vietnam play local games like tug-of-war, bamboo fighting, and wrestling. But the main highlight of this event is the choir singing, where people dress up in colourful traditional costumes and sing local folk songs. It is one of the fantastic ways for travellers to explore and learn about the traditions and become a part of the extraordinary cultural events of Vietnam. The Lim festival is a vibrant centuries-old traditional festival in Vietnam that is celebrated annually in Bac Ninh province near Hanoi. It is known for its unique folk singing tradition, Quan Ho, which is, recognised by UNSECO.

• Held on- January 31 to February 2, 2025

14. Tet Nguyen Dan

Also known as Vietnam Lunar New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan is an essential traditional Vietnamese festival. This Vietnamese festival is celebrated to thank the gods for the arrival of spring while the locals pay respects to their ancestors and get together with family members to welcome the New Year. During this spring festival in Vietnam, big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are less crowded as many people travel back to their hometowns to celebrate with their families, one of the best Vietnamese holiday celebrations. Hanoi is a great place to enjoy Tet, as the Hanoi Opera House often hosts wonderful parties and fireworks displays at night.

• Held On- January 29 2025

Bites of Culture: Vietnam Festivals 2025 Foods

Food is vital in Vietnam festivals 2025, offering a unique way to experience the country's culture. Each festival has its signature dishes, deeply rooted in tradition and meaning. Here are some must-try festival foods

1. Banh Chung & Banh Tet

Banh Chung and Banh Tet are iconic Vietnamese Lunar New Year dishes. Bnah Chung is a square-shaped sticky rice cake filled with pork and mung beans, wrapped in banana leaves, while Banh Tet is its cylindrical counterpart, more popular in Southern Vietnam. Both cakes embody the essence of Vietnamese holiday celebrations and are a must-try to experience this special occasion's festive flavours fully.

2. Mooncakes

Mooncakes are the signature treat of the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries have various fillings, such as lotus seed paste, salted egg yolk, and mixed nuts, representing family reunion and prosperity. They symbolise unity and togetherness and are often gifted to family and friends during the Vietnamese holiday celebrations. Vietnamese mooncakes come in two main types: baked and sticky rice, each filled with sweet or savoury fillings such as lotus seed paste, mung bean, salted egg yolk, or mixed nuts.

3. Com Lang Vong

Com Lang Vog is a fragrant snack made from lightly roasted young rice grains wrapped in lotus leaves. It is often enjoyed with ripe bananas. It is a signature delicacy of Hanoi during the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the best festivals in Vietnam. It is known for its delicate aroma and slightly sweet, nutty flavour. It is often wrapped in lotus leaves to preserve its freshness and scent. It is eaten independently or used in sweet rice cakes or che (sweet soups) dishes. Com symbolises the harvest season, gratitude, and the purity of culinary traditions, especially during festive times in Vietnamese holiday celebrations.

4. Banh Day

Banh Day is a soft white rice cake with a chewy texture often eaten during the Hung Kings Festival. In Vietnamese legend, it represents the sky and is typically served with pork patties or mung bean filling. Usually paired with Vietnamese pork sausage, banh day is especially popular during the Vietnam festival in 2025, ancestor worship ceremonies and traditional celebrations like Tet. According to legend, Prince Lang Lieu created it to honour his father, the king, symbolising the sky.

5. Bun Bo Hue

Bun Bo Hue is a famous spicy beef noodle soup often enjoyed during the Hue Festival. The broth is flavoured with lemongrass and shrimp paste and served with thick noodles and fresh herbs. It is a must-try for visitors wanting to explore the unique flavours of Central Vietnam. Often enjoyed during traditional Vietnamese festivals and special occasions, this dish features thick rice noodles in a spicy, lemongrass-infused broth made with beef bones and pork. It is typically topped with slices of beef shank, pork knuckles, and sometimes congealed pig's blood.

6. Xoi Ngu Sac

Xio Ngu Sac is a vivacious sticky rice dish made in five colours, yellow, green, purple, and white, symbolising prosperity and harmony. It is commonly found in the conventional cultural events in Vietnam on the Northern side of the country. Originating from ethnic minority communities in northern Vietnam, especially the Tay and Nung people, this dish symbolises harmony, prosperity, and the five elements of nature. Each colour represents a wish for good health, happiness and fortune. Xoi Nagu Sac is a visual and cultural feast during Vietnam festivals in 2025 with its eye-catching appearance and subtly sweet, fragrant flavour.

Read More: 19 Things To Do In Vietnam For A Memorable Vacation

Festivals & Footprints: Navigating Traditional Vietnamese Festivals

Attending exciting festivals in Vietnam is a great way to indulge in its rich traditions, but it requires some preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some essential travel tips while attending the cultural events in Vietnam

1. Plan your trip in advance
Many festivals attract large crowds, so booking flights, hotels, and transportation early is crucial. Cities like Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An see a surge in visitors during significant cultural events in Vietnam, which leads to limited accommodation options and higher prices.

2. Be prepared for crowds
Major festivals like Tet and the Mid Autumn Festival can be hectic. Arrive early at popular event locations to secure a good spot and be patient when navigating crowded areas.

3. Dress comfortably and respectfully
Some traditional Vietnamese festivals occur at temples or pagodas, so wear modest clothing covering your shoulders and knees. Comfortable footwear is also essential as you may need to walk long distances or stand for extended periods.

4. Respect local customs
Some Vietnam festivals in 2025 have religious or spiritual significance, so always follow local customs. For example, when visiting during Buddha's Birthday or the Hung King's festival, avoid loud conversations and remove your shoes before entering sacred areas.

5. Keep your belongings secure
Crowded traditional Vietnamese festivals can attract pickpockets, so keep your valuables safe. Use a crossbody bag with a zipper, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If possible, leave essential documents like your passport in a hotel safe.

6. Use public transportation when possible
Traffic can be chaotic during Vietnam festivals in 2025, which allows you to connect deeply with the country's heritage and local traditions. These celebrations bring together spirituality, history, and community in a truly immersive way, giving you a deeper appreciation of Vietnam's heritage.

Final Takeaway

These fascinating and traditional Vietnamese festivals are a fantastic way to experience the country's culture. Plan a trip to Vietnam now and immerse yourself in the rich culture and vibrant traditions of one of the best holiday destinations in the world.