1 · The short answer

Tết is Vietnam's Lunar New Year and the country's biggest holiday. In 2027, Tết falls on 6 February. The government has set a seven day break for civil servants and public employees from 4 to 10 February 2027, and private employers choose their own schedules, so shop and restaurant closures vary. Many small businesses close for longer than the official break.

For visitors, Tết means a country on the move. Millions travel home before the holiday, trains and flights are busy, and many shops close, while streets, flower markets and fireworks are full of life. Plan transport early and expect some places to be closed.

Ringo Light's Vietnam plan covers the whole country with unlimited data at full speed. It arrives by email and installs in one scan. A local SIM in Vietnam needs passport registration, so many visitors set up data before they fly.

Dates: Lunar New Year's Day is 6 February 2027. The public sector break runs 4 to 10 February 2027, with staff back on 11 February. Private employers set their own schedules. Organiser's page

Ringo Light's Vietnam plan covers the whole of Vietnam: unlimited data at full speed, 2 weeks for $22.99 or 30 days for $42.99, nothing renews. The plan is at ringoesim.com/vietnam, and every brand's price for Hanoi is compared on one day in Best eSIM for Hanoi.

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2 · What happens at Tết

Families gather, clean their homes, visit relatives and pay respects to ancestors. Streets fill with kumquat trees, peach blossom in the north and apricot blossom in the south, and many cities hold flower markets and a fireworks display on New Year's Eve. The first days are quiet, with families at home, and the pace picks up again after the break.

3 · What closes, and for how long

  • ✓Government and banks: The public sector break for 2027 runs 4 to 10 February, returning on 11 February.
  • ✓Shops and restaurants: These set their own dates. Many close for several days around Tết and some for longer. Ask your hotel which places near you are open.
  • ✓Tourist sites and hotels: Large hotels and many sights stay open, though hours may change. Check each site's own page or ask your hotel.
  • ✓Stock up: Buy snacks, water and medicine before the break, and keep some cash for places that do not take cards.

4 · Trains, flights and Grab

  • ✓Trains: Vietnam Railways sells tickets online, and Tết trains sell out early. Book as soon as sales open for your dates and keep the e-ticket saved offline.
  • ✓Flights: Domestic flights fill around the holiday. Check the airline's site and book early.
  • ✓Grab: Grab works for rides in the main cities. Fares can rise and cars become scarce at peak hours, so allow extra time.
  • ✓Travel days: The days just before and after the break are the busiest on roads and rail. Travel in the middle of the break if you can.

5 · What your phone has to do

  • ✓Tickets and maps: Save train and flight tickets, hotel addresses in Vietnamese and an offline map of each city.
  • ✓Ride and food apps: Grab needs data to hail, track and pay. Many small places take bank transfer by QR code, so check cards and cash too.
  • ✓Crowds: Signal can slow in the packed streets on New Year's Eve. Send greetings before midnight and upload videos afterwards.
  • ✓Before you fly: Set up your eSIM at home. A local SIM needs passport registration, which is hard to arrange when shops are shut for the holiday.

6 · Which plan covers the trip

Ringo Light's Vietnam plan covers Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the rest of the country with unlimited data at full speed, enough for Grab, maps and video calls home. If you are adding other countries, the Global plan covers your route.

7 · Frequently asked questions

When is Tết 2027?+
Lunar New Year's Day is 6 February 2027. The public sector break runs 4 to 10 February.
What closes during Tết?+
Government offices and banks close for the official break, and many shops and restaurants close for several days or longer. Large hotels and many sights stay open.
Should I book trains for Tết early?+
Yes. Tết trains sell out, so book as soon as tickets for your dates go on sale.
Does Grab work during Tết?+
Yes in the main cities, but cars are scarcer and fares can rise at peak times.
How do I install Ringo Light's Vietnam plan?+
It arrives by email and installs in one scan. No app is needed, and you can do it at home before you fly.

8 · Sources

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