Should you travel during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)?

While many families might find it a bit confusing if you, or your whole family, suddenly "disappear" from New Year's Eve until the 5th day of the Lunar New Year, or wonder why traveling during Tet is too expensive, or why they don't get together once a year, I want to explain 7 reasons why traveling during Tet is ideal. And you should definitely experience traveling during Tet at least once in your life.

1. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO

Most jobs, if you work in Vietnam, and especially with me, are completely put on hold during this time. You can also easily say, "It's Tet (Vietnamese New Year)!" to soften the client's heart if they still insist on keeping you working through Tet.

And with these conditions, you can relax and comfortably spend your entire vacation in a new place without constantly checking your phone, messages, or worrying about a sudden meeting that you might miss.

2. NOT CROWDED OR CHAOTIC

The "nationwide return to hometown" holiday makes domestic travel easier and more comfortable. Although the trend of traveling during Tet (Lunar New Year) has increased considerably in recent years, reducing the quiet atmosphere somewhat, it certainly cannot compare to other holidays throughout the year when people flock to major tourist destinations.

You also need to pay attention to ticket prices and the situation at train stations and airports, as these locations can get quite crowded at this time. But once you get past this hurdle, everything will be fine.

3. ENJOY A "DIFFERENT" TET ATMOSPHERE

Personally, I absolutely love experiencing different Lunar New Year celebrations in different places, because at the same time, it's also Lunar New Year in several other countries. It's a once-a-year opportunity to experience the New Year atmosphere elsewhere, with different customs and festivals – it's something not to be missed, right?

Even now, I still vividly remember the peaceful Tet holidays on Sihanoukville beach or the unexpected reunions in Bagan during Tet. If you're afraid, don't try it, because if you do, you'll get hooked.

4. WHO SAYS TRAVELING DURING TET (LUNAR NEW YEAR) MEANS NOT SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY?

This is also an effective way for the whole family to rekindle family bonds. Leave behind the cleaning and tidying, the difficult questions and discussions about Tet, and the shopping dilemmas. Instead, use that money and time to take a year-end trip with your family, enjoying a truly memorable vacation where every moment is precious.

5. IDEAL WEATHER

The Lunar New Year in Vietnam coincides with many ideal weather conditions in popular tourist destinations. This is especially true for Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines, as well as other Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.

The transition from winter to spring in these countries is undoubtedly a legendary period of scenic beauty that no travel enthusiast would want to miss.

6. EXPERIENCES YOU SHOULD TRY AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE

Doing things that go against your usual routine often yields unexpected results. And this is one of those "going against the grain" strategies you should try at least once in your life.

These "reverse" approaches are very effective in breaking the ingrained cycle and creating the most memorable experiences in your memory. Celebrating the first day of the Lunar New Year in an unfamiliar place, without sticky rice cakes or braised pork with eggs, but instead with unfamiliar foods and new people, will surely provide an unforgettable experience for the whole year and many years to come, and will leave a lasting impression, far more memorable than the exhausting days of cleaning every time Tet comes around.

7. GO AWAY TO COME BACK

If you experience the same Lunar New Year year after year, you won't be able to imagine how valuable the Lunar New Year in your hometown truly is. Try celebrating the Lunar New Year abroad once; besides the wonderful things the trip brings along the journey, the lasting impressions and unique emotions will bring you closer to your family and make you appreciate the Lunar New Year in your hometown even more.

As young people often say these days, "go and then come back" - go and "satisfy your wanderlust" and then it's never too late to return.

Additional information:

- Author: Nguyen Hoang Bao

- Occupation: Lecturer in the Tourism Department

- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NguyenHoangBao.DocHanh/

He is one of"7 impressive travel bloggers of 2018"which Travellive has previously introduced to its readers.

While many of us have painted our worlds with imaginations inspired by the pages of books, Nguyen Hoang Bao has painted his own world using...FootstepsHis passion for exploration has left its mark on 72 countries and territories, and the rest of the world, including Antarctica, is within his conquest plan. The story of his "once-in-a-lifetime" journeys serves as a catalyst, inspiring travel and exploration of the world for everyone.

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