Christmas & New Year in Vietnam

Christmas in Vietnam is widely celebrated, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and major tourist destinations, although 25 December is not a public holiday. Travellers can expect Christmas lights, festive dining, church celebrations, and Christmas Eve events, while New Year's Eve brings countdowns and celebrations across the country. Where you should spend the festive season largely depends on the experience you want — cooler city weather in the north, culture and quieter coastal escapes in Central Vietnam, or warmer beach weather in the south.

Yes, they do - despite not being traditional, since these holidays are shaped by the country's cherished culture and traditions. Christmas is observed by Christian communities and enjoyed more widely through decorations, gatherings, and festive meals. Vietnam also celebrates New Year, though its major traditional new year is Tết.

Christmas in Vietnam

Though not an official holiday, Christmas in Vietnam is widely celebrated and joyfully embraced by all. From Hanoi to Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, streets and malls sparkle with lights and ornaments, carols fill the night air, while churches hold services for worshippers. Families and friends gather for heartwarming dinners and gift exchanges, much as they do in Western countries, but Christmas is not observed in the same way by every household.

Christmas Eve, 24 December, generally brings more public festivities than Christmas Day. Many attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve, while others simply wander through the laughter and lights. The following day is not a public holiday, so ordinary weekday activity continues. To wish someone “Merry Christmas” in Vietnamese, you can say “Giáng sinh vui vẻ.” For most, Christmas in Vietnam is less about religion and more about community, warmth, and festive spirit.

New Year in Vietnam

As the year turns, New Year in Vietnam carries that same sense of connection and joy.

New Year's Eve on 31 December is all about cosy dinners and countdown events, and 1 January is a public holiday, marked by fireworks, concerts, and jubilant countdowns in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Cafés and restaurants host themed dinners and parties, while families often take short getaways to welcome a fresh beginning - a bright, hopeful celebration of renewal.

This Western New Year is separate from Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and the country's most significant traditional celebration, which falls later.

Without faith, Vietnam carries its own story by making these holidays more about connection and joy. This unique flair sets it apart as one of the must-visit travel destinations during this festive month.

The North – For Lovers of Cool Weather and Culture

If you seek a Christmas with cool weather and lively streets in Vietnam, the North beckons with quiet elegance. Hanoi's crisp December air travels through festive holiday markets and the wondrous beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake, while Hang Ma Street bursts with seasonal decorations and handmade gifts. It can feel chilly and breezy, so bring a warm layer for evenings spent around this area.

Retreat to Sa Pa, where misty valleys and mountain lodges evoke the charm of a classic Christmas postcard. It's time to wrap yourself in soft wool scarves and savour the comforting glow of fireside mulled wine. Conditions can be cold and cloudy, making the mountain setting especially appealing to travellers who enjoy winter walks.

Best for: travellers looking for cooler weather, cultural experiences and a lively city atmosphere.

Coming from a colder climate, your dream Christmas could be filled with sunlight instead of snow. If so, Central Vietnam is a flawless pairing with its harmonious balance of festival celebration, heritage, nature, and time to slow down. December can bring cool, cloudy days and rain around Hue and Hoi An, so it’s a good idea to plan cultural outings with some flexibility. Peacefully framed by mountains and sea, it is the epitome of Vietnam's beauty: bustling Da Nang, timeless Hue, and soulful Hoi An.

Use Lang Co as a quieter coastal base, then make time for the Imperial City and other Hue attractions, or spend a day exploring Da Nang, or take a walk around the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An. In the pulse of the region, Banyan Tree Lang Co stands still as a transcendent oasis of calm along Lang Co Beach, placing those excursions within reach while giving you a peaceful place to return to.

The local heritage truly arises with a wander through Hue attractions, a walk around lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, or a retreat to a Da Nang private pool villa for more serenity.

No matter how you choose to reside, whether in an ocean-view villa or lagoon pool villa, Banyan Tree Lang Co promises gracious hospitality - an embrace of the region's candour in every celebration.

Best for: travellers who want Christmas to feel like an escape, with culture and wellbeing alongside the celebrations.

For travellers who crave tropical warmth and bustling festivities, the South glows with festive allure. December generally brings warmer, drier conditions to Ho Chi Minh City - the city where one comes for dazzling lights, rooftop gatherings that stretch late into the night, energetic countdown events, and decadent dining as the year draws to a close.

Out on Phu Quoc Island, sun-drenched beaches, festive seaside brunches, and fireworks over the waves make for a tropical New Year's dream - a perfect setting for families and friends eager to end the year in brilliant fashion. Here, December is well suited to a beach stay. Choose it for days by the sea and festive meals, then check local New Year's Eve programmes if a countdown is important to you.

Best for: Travellers prioritising warmer weather, nightlife and tropical escapes.

Festive Energy and Fireworks

If you thrive on the season's excitement, Vietnam's major cities - Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc - celebrate Christmas with vibrant flair. On Christmas Eve, major streets are illuminated and public spaces are seasonally decorated.

Churches hold services, while restaurants and hotels offer festive dinners for couples and families. For New Year's Eve, look for a city countdown or a ticketed celebration and confirm the programme locally. Rooftop bars often host glittering countdown parties as fireworks bloom across the skyline on every horizon, whereas riverside streets come alive with music and laughter well past midnight in true tropical style.

Hue and Hoi An are the ideal companions for the souls who long for a gentler kind of celebration, as every activity oozes timeless charm and tranquility.

In Hue, a visit to the Imperial City gently connects you to the region's history. In Hoi An, an evening walk through the lantern-lit old town offers a gentler way to spend time together. Soothe your mind with a peaceful lantern drift along calming rivers, or spend time with the locals for intricate festive dinners - the whisper of decade-long traditions is subtly felt everywhere. Instead of blazing fireworks, experience the holiday wrapped in history and fondness.

Follow either outing with a festive dinner, allowing for rain when planning your day. These are cultural experiences in their own right, rather than Christmas traditions specific to the two cities.

If you sense a yearning for quiet luxury, Banyan Tree Lang Co in the placid Lang Co area holds the world within. Celebration takes different forms: inside the cushy private-pool villas, at night-kissed dinners, and during healing spa rituals. A private living space offers much-needed downtime between outings, while a treatment at the Banyan Tree Spa makes a restful addition to the holiday. Its festive gatherings let guests join the occasion without spending every evening in a busy city. Here, quietude trumps all.

Wherever you are this holiday season, the Vietnam spirit is present in every shadow and light. It embodies the importance of community, but also leaves room to have moments that truly belong to you.

A Lang Co beach resort that doubles as a tapestry of serenity and splendour is none other than Banyan Tree Lang Co. Its location between Hue, Da Nang, with Hoi An within reach, is ideal for exploring the region’s cultural heritage and coastal beauty, but it also boasts secluded luxury that turns every moment into a lifelong memory. Whether your day is spent inside private-pool villas with ocean views or at the world-class spa being pampered, it is all indulgence wherever your eyes fall.

Explore the full Christmas and New Year programme at Banyan Tree Lang Co, including festive dining, family activities and seasonal spa experiences throughout the holiday period.

Is Christmas a public holiday in Vietnam?

No. Christmas Day, 25 December, is not a public holiday in Vietnam, although churches hold services and many places host celebrations. Christmas Eve is often the livelier time to explore decorated streets and take in the atmosphere of this holiday in Vietnam.

What is the weather like in Vietnam at Christmas?

It varies. Hanoi and Sa Pa can be cold, while Hue and Hoi An may see rain and cloudy skies. Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc are generally warmer and drier in December. Pack for the region you plan to visit.

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Vietnam?

Choose Hanoi for cool weather and busy festive streets, Central Vietnam for heritage outings and a quieter coastal stay, or Phu Quoc for a warmer beach holiday. The best choice depends on the experience you value most. Around Lang Co, a flexible itinerary makes it easier to enjoy both resort time and excursions.

Is December a good time to visit Vietnam?

Yes. December favours travellers seeking cooler northern cities or warmer southern beaches. Central Vietnam is especially rewarding for heritage and wellbeing, though rain is expected. It’s recommended to check the forecast close to departure and keep outdoor plans flexible.