1. Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is a famous entertainment spot in Hanoi that cannot be missed. During Tet, Hanoi streets are filled with spring colors of peach blossoms, lanterns, orchids, kumquat trees, etc. Especially in the Old Quarter, the bustling atmosphere covers all the shops.
You can freely buy fresh flowers, wild peach blossoms on Phung Hung Street, buy decorative items on Hang Ma Street, buy antiques, bronze or ceramic products on Hang Dong Street... Don't forget to take beautiful photos in the nostalgic scenery of these neighborhoods.
Hang Ma Street is dyed red by decorations on the days before Tet.
In addition, going to the Tet market in Hanoi's Old Quarter is also something you definitely have to try. On the days before Lunar New Year, Hanoi's streets are busier than ever, with people rushing and bustling to shop. In particular, walking through the streets specializing in selling Tet goods such as Hang Ma, Hang Trong, Hang Luoc, Dong Xuan market area... everywhere you can see the bustling atmosphere because both sides of the street are full of goods for sale, the scene of buyers and sellers bustling, bustling, and vibrant makes the streets bustling and full of spring colors.
The traditional Tet market in Hanoi's Old Quarter is more fun than ever. Flowers and many other Tet goods are constantly pouring in, attracting people to shop and have fun.
2. Nhat Tan Peach Garden
To feel the atmosphere of Tet approaching, come to Nhat Tan flower garden. Coming here, you will be immersed in the immense space of peach blossoms blooming brilliantly. Nhat Tan peach garden is a check-in place for Tet in Hanoi that many people visit. People often come here together to take photos, keeping memorable Tet photos.
Every time Tet comes, this place is always bustling with the scene of farmers taking care of and pruning flowers to have beautiful flower pots. In addition, the scene of people taking care of flowers, watering flowers, selecting satisfactory flower pots and cutting beautiful flower branches to sell to tourists to display for Tet is also busier than ever.
Coming to Nhat Tan peach garden, you will be immersed in the immense space of peach blossoms in full bloom.
30-45 days before Tet, the peach trees were stripped of all their leaves, a necessary technique for the peach branches to bloom in time for Tet. Recently, the weather has been cold, so the peach blossoms bloom in time for Tet to serve the market. Outside Nhat Tan village, right at the entrance to Quang An flower market - the main consumer of Nhat Tan peaches, people are also bustling to see and ask to buy peaches to celebrate Tet. Nhat Tan peaches are sold throughout the markets in Hanoi, the peach branches brighten up a corner of the street.
If apricot blossom is the symbol of Spring in the South, peach blossom is the symbol of Spring in the North. Therefore, the bright pink color of peach blossom is always present in Tet-related frames. Whether it is natural peach blossom or beautifully decorated peach blossom, peach blossoms always bring a fresh spring feeling.
3. Spring outing, going to the temple at the beginning of the year
From ancient times to the present, going to temples and pagodas at the beginning of the year is a beautiful spiritual culture of Vietnamese people. Every time Tet comes, spring comes, it is the starting point for a new year with many new good wishes and aspirations. Therefore, going to temples and pagodas at the beginning of the year is certainly an indispensable activity for every citizen on the occasion of Tet.
The ancients believed that on Tet or the beginning of the new year, one should go to the temple to pray for luck, to bless family, friends, and loved ones with a year of abundance, happiness, and good fortune.
When traveling to the North during Tet, visit the sacred Huong Pagoda. The bustling atmosphere of the New Year festival and the white apricot blossoms blooming in the Huong Son mountains will fascinate visitors. In addition to the sacred rituals, visitors can also participate in the exciting festival with activities such as rowing, singing Xam, singing Chau Van, and climbing mountains. Sitting on a small boat, watching the charming river scene and enjoying sweet folk songs will be an attractive experience at the beginning of the year.
Located next to the poetic West Lake, Tay Ho Palace is always a popular Tet holiday destination in Hanoi. Tay Ho Palace is associated with the sacred Mother Goddess worship. During the New Year holidays, people often come here to make offerings and pray for luck and peace. You should prepare vegetarian or non-vegetarian offerings at home in advance.
In addition, some famous places to go to pagodas at the beginning of the year in Hanoi are: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, Quan Su Pagoda, Phuc Khanh Pagoda...
4. Asking for calligraphy from a scholar at the Temple of Literature
Every spring, calligraphers display ink-pens, red-dyed paper at the ancient Temple of Literature to wait for people to come and ask for calligraphy. Asking for calligraphy at the beginning of the year is a long-standing custom and cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people. The graceful, soft strokes contain everyone's wishes for a peaceful and happy new year. Chinese characters are written on red paper - the color that brings luck and longevity.
Asking for New Year's calligraphy is a long-standing custom and cultural tradition of Vietnamese people.
Asking for the first calligraphy of the year at the Temple of Literature is also one of the long-standing traditions of the people of the capital. Especially, from the 3rd day, according to folk belief, the number of visitors to the Temple of Literature is very crowded.
The Temple of Literature is open all year round but it seems to be busiest during the first days of spring. Many students come here with the hope that their studies in the coming year will go smoothly and they will pass their exams.
5. Watch fireworks at Hoan Kiem Lake
As an annual tradition, Hoan Kiem Lake is always on the list of locations allowed to set off fireworks in Hanoi. For Hanoians, Hoan Kiem Lake is always a familiar and indispensable place to celebrate Lunar New Year.
On the night before the New Year, people and their families take a walk around the walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake to chat, confide, and review the events of the old year.
Hoan Kiem Lake is always on the list of places allowed to shoot fireworks in Hanoi every year.
Thousands of people flock to this area, making Hoan Kiem Lake extremely crowded and bustling, thanks to which the cold of the winter winds is somewhat reduced. On New Year's Eve, many people from all districts around Hanoi flock to Hoan Kiem Lake to watch the moment of transition to the new year.
6. Watch movies at the theater
Going to the cinema is a habit and hobby of many people in Hanoi at the beginning of the new year. Some cinemas have continuously increased the number of screenings during Tet to meet the demand of the audience.
After 2 years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Tet movies in 2023 have returned in the wait and hope of a large audience. Many attractive movies are expected to be shown during Tet holidays this year.
