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1. Old Town
The Old Quarter is a famous and unmissable tourist destination in Hanoi. During Tet (Lunar New Year), Hanoi's streets are filled with the vibrant colors of spring, with peach blossoms, lanterns, orchids, kumquat trees, and more. Especially in the Old Quarter, a bustling atmosphere pervades all the shops and restaurants.
You can freely buy fresh flowers and wild peach blossoms on Phung Hung Street, buy decorations on Hang Ma Street, and purchase antiques, bronze items, or ceramics on Hang Dong Street… Don't forget to capture beautiful photos in the nostalgic atmosphere of these streets.
In the days leading up to Tet, Hang Ma Street is dyed red by decorations.
In addition, visiting the Tet market in Hanoi's Old Quarter is something you definitely must try. In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, Hanoi's streets are more bustling than ever, with crowds of people hurrying and shopping. Especially when strolling through streets specializing in Tet goods such as Hang Ma, Hang Trong, Hang Luoc, and the Dong Xuan market area, you'll find a lively atmosphere everywhere. Both sides of the streets are lined with goods for sale, and the bustling scene of buyers and sellers creates a vibrant, spring-filled atmosphere.
The traditional Tet market in Hanoi's Old Quarter is more vibrant than ever. Flowers and many other Tet-related goods are continuously arriving, attracting people to shop and have fun.
2. Nhat Tan Peach Blossom Garden
To experience the approaching Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere, head straight to Nhat Tan Flower Garden. Here, you'll be immersed in the vast expanse of vibrant peach blossoms. Nhat Tan Peach Garden is a popular Tet check-in spot in Hanoi, attracting many visitors who come to take photos and capture memorable Tet memories.
Every Lunar New Year, this place is bustling with activity as farmers tend to and prune flowers to create beautifully shaped potted plants. In addition, the scene of locals caring for, watering, selecting the best potted plants, and cutting beautiful flower branches to sell to tourists for the New Year celebrations is more lively than ever.
Visiting Nhat Tan peach blossom garden, you will be immersed in the vast space of peach blossoms displaying their vibrant colors.
Thirty to 45 days before the Lunar New Year, the peach blossom trees are stripped of their leaves, a necessary technique to ensure the branches bloom at the right time for Tet. Recently, the cold weather has helped the peach blossoms bloom just in time for Tet to serve the market. Outside Nhat Tan village, right at the entrance to Quang An flower market - the main market for Nhat Tan peach blossoms - people are bustling about admiring and buying peach blossoms to decorate their homes for Tet. Nhat Tan peach blossoms are sold in markets all over Hanoi, their branches painting entire street corners a vibrant red.
If apricot blossoms are the symbol of spring in the South, then peach blossoms are the symbol of spring in the North. Therefore, the vibrant pink of peach blossoms is always present in images related to Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Whether naturally blooming or beautifully decorated, the peach blossoms always bring a fresh feeling of spring.
3. Going on spring outings and visiting temples at the beginning of the year.
From ancient times to the present day, visiting temples and pagodas at the beginning of the year has been a beautiful spiritual and cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people. Each Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year filled with hopes and aspirations for a better future. Therefore, visiting temples and pagodas at the beginning of the year is undoubtedly an indispensable activity for every Vietnamese person during the Tet holiday.
According to ancient beliefs, during Tet (Lunar New Year) or the beginning of the new year, one should visit temples to pray for good fortune and blessings for family, friends, and loved ones, wishing them a year of abundance, happiness, and good luck.
When traveling to Northern Vietnam during Tet (Lunar New Year), be sure to visit the sacred Huong Pagoda. The lively atmosphere of the New Year festival and the white blossoms of apricot trees covering the mountains of Huong Son will captivate visitors. Besides the sacred rituals, visitors can also participate in the exciting festivities with activities such as boating, Xam singing, Chau Van singing, and mountain climbing. Sitting on a small boat, admiring the picturesque river scenery and enjoying the sweet melodies of folk songs will be a fascinating experience at the beginning of the year.
Located beside the picturesque West Lake, Tay Ho Temple is always a popular destination for Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations in Hanoi. Tay Ho Temple is associated with the sacred worship of the Mother Goddess. During the New Year's festivities, people often come here to offer prayers and wish for good fortune and peace. You should prepare vegetarian or non-vegetarian offerings at home beforehand.
In addition, some popular places to visit temples at the beginning of the year in Hanoi include: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, Quan Su Pagoda, Phuc Khanh Pagoda...
4. Ask for calligraphy from a calligrapher at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quốc Tử Giám).
Every spring, calligraphers set up their inkstones, brushes, and red-dyed paper at the ancient Temple of Literature, waiting for people to come and request calligraphy. Requesting calligraphy at the beginning of the year is a long-standing tradition and a beautiful cultural practice of the Vietnamese people. The graceful, flowing strokes of the characters contain people's wishes for a peaceful and happy new year. The Chinese characters are written on red paper – a color that brings good fortune and longevity.
Asking for calligraphy at the beginning of the year is a long-standing custom and a beautiful cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people.
Asking for calligraphy at the Temple of Literature at the beginning of the year is also one of the long-standing traditions of the people of Hanoi. Especially from the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year, which according to folk belief is the Teacher's Day, the number of visitors flocking to the Temple of Literature is very large.
The Temple of Literature is open year-round, but it seems to be busiest during the first few days of spring. Students come here in large numbers, hoping for a smooth academic year and success in their exams.
5. Watch fireworks at Ho Guom Lake.
As is customary every year, Ho Guom Lake is always on the list of locations permitted for fireworks displays in Hanoi. For Hanoians, Ho Guom Lake is always a familiar and indispensable place to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
On the eve of the New Year, people and their families stroll around the pedestrian area around Ho Gươm Lake to chat, reminisce, and reflect on the events of the past year.
Hoan Kiem Lake has always been on the list of locations permitted for fireworks displays in Hanoi every year.
Thousands of people flocked to the area, making Ho Guom Lake incredibly lively and bustling, which also helped to alleviate some of the chill of the winter winds. On New Year's Eve, a large number of people from all districts and counties around Hanoi gathered at Ho Guom Lake to witness the transition to the new year.
6. Watch a movie at the cinema.
Going to the cinema is a habit and a favorite pastime for many people in Hanoi at the beginning of the new year. During Tet (Lunar New Year), some cinemas have continuously increased the number of screenings to meet audience demand.
After two years of disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2023 Lunar New Year film season has returned, much to the anticipation and hope of a large audience. Many exciting films are scheduled to be screened during this year's Tet holiday.
