Hanoi’s festival calendar is one of the richest in Southeast Asia — combining Lunar New Year traditions, Buddhist holidays, ancient pagoda pilgrimages, and modern cultural events. The city pulses with energy during Tet (Lunar New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival, Hanoi Liberation Day, and dozens of smaller temple festivals. Knowing the calendar helps you time your visit for cultural immersion or avoid disruption. This complete Hanoi festivals and events calendar for 2026 covers the major holidays month-by-month.
Major Hanoi Festivals 2026 (Quick Reference)
- Tet (Lunar New Year): February 17, 2026 (Year of the Horse).
- Perfume Pagoda Festival: Feb-April.
- Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary: April 26, 2026.
- Reunification Day: April 30.
- Labour Day: May 1.
- Vesak (Buddha’s Birthday): May 31, 2026.
- Vu Lan (Wandering Souls): August 27, 2026.
- National Day (Independence): September 2.
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu): September 25, 2026.
- Hanoi Liberation Day: October 10.
- Vietnamese Teachers’ Day: November 20.
- Christmas: December 25.
January
New Year (January 1)
Public holiday. Hoan Kiem Lake firework displays.
Tet Preparation (Late January)
Markets fill with peach blossoms, mandarin trees. Hang Ma Street decorations.
February
Tet (Lunar New Year) – February 17, 2026
Vietnam’s biggest holiday. 7-day official + week of family time. See our Tet in Hanoi guide.
Perfume Pagoda Festival – Day 6 of Lunar Year through 3rd Lunar Month
Hundreds of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. See our Perfume Pagoda guide.
Co Loa Festival – 6th day of 1st lunar month
Ancient citadel festival 17 km from Hanoi. Spear-throwing contest. Folk dances.
March
Lim Festival – 13th day of 1st lunar month
Famous Quan Ho folk singing festival. 40 km from Hanoi (Bac Ninh).
Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival – 6th day of 2nd lunar month
Honors Hai Ba Trung sisters who fought Chinese in 40 AD. Hai Ba Trung district.
Phu Day Festival – 3rd day of 3rd lunar month
Mother Goddess worship festival in Nam Dinh (90 km).
April
Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary – April 26, 2026 (10th day of 3rd lunar month)
National public holiday. Honors legendary first kings. Festival at Phu Tho province.
Reunification Day – April 30
National holiday commemorating end of Vietnam War (1975). Public events, parades.
May
Labour Day – May 1
Public holiday. Combined with Reunification Day = 4-day weekend.
Vesak (Buddha’s Birthday) – May 31, 2026
Buddhist holiday. Pagodas hold special services. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Su Pagoda.
Hanoi Photography Festival – May
Annual photography exhibition across city venues.
June
Hanoi Summer Festival
City-wide cultural events. Concerts, art exhibitions.
Children’s Day – June 1
International Children’s Day. Family events, parks busy.
Tet Doan Ngo (Mid-Year Festival) – 5th day of 5th lunar month
Traditional Vietnamese mid-year festival. Special foods (com ruou, banh tro).
July
War Invalids and Martyrs Day – July 27
Honors fallen soldiers. Solemn ceremonies at memorials.
August
Vu Lan (Wandering Souls Festival) – August 27, 2026 (15th day of 7th lunar month)
Buddhist festival for ancestors. Lantern releases. Vegetarian feasts at pagodas.
August Revolution Anniversary – August 19
Commemorates 1945 revolution. Cultural events.
September
National Day – September 2
Vietnam Independence Day. Parade, flags, fireworks.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) – September 25, 2026 (15th day of 8th lunar month)
Vietnam’s second-biggest festival. Children carry lanterns. Mooncakes everywhere. Hang Ma Street magical. See our Mid-Autumn Festival guide.
October
Hanoi Liberation Day – October 10
Commemorates 1954 liberation from French colonial rule. Public holiday. Cultural events at major sites.
Hanoi International Film Festival – October-November (biennial)
Screenings, panels, industry events. 2026 is a festival year.
Hanoi Autumn Festival – October
City-wide cultural celebrations.
November
Vietnamese Teachers’ Day – November 20
Honors teachers. Schools hold ceremonies, students bring flowers.
Hanoi Pho Festival – November (varies)
Celebrating Vietnam’s most famous dish. Pop-up stalls at parks.
December
Christmas – December 25
Major Catholic celebration. St. Joseph Cathedral packed. French Quarter decorated. Many businesses celebrate.
Western New Year’s Eve – December 31
Hoan Kiem Lake celebrations. Hotel bar parties. Fireworks.
Hanoi Christmas Markets – Early-Mid December
French Quarter, Lotte Center host European-style markets.
Annual Recurring Events
Monthly Full Moon Days
Vietnamese visit pagodas. Quieter for tourists; respectful visit appreciated.
1st & 15th of Lunar Month
Buddhist days — busy at temples. Some streets close for parades.
Hanoi Weekend Walking Street
Old Quarter pedestrianized Friday-Sunday evenings. Buskers, food stalls, families.
Festival Calendar Tips
Best Time for Festivals (Cultural Travelers)
Late January-February (Tet), September (Mid-Autumn), October (Liberation).
Avoid Tet for Practical Tourists
Many businesses close 3-7 days. Public transit overbooked.
Public Holidays = Higher Hotel Prices
Reunification Day, Labour Day, National Day all see 20-50% price spikes.
Vietnamese Tourist Crowds
Domestic tourists fill Sapa, Halong Bay, beaches during Tet, summer school break, Sep 2, May Day weekends.
How to Experience Festivals Respectfully
- Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
- Remove shoes at temple thresholds.
- Ask before photographing rituals.
- Don’t interrupt prayers or ceremonies.
- Buy small offerings to support temples.
- Learn basic phrases: “Chuc mung nam moi” (Happy New Year).
- Bring small notes for donations.
- Wear ao dai or modest dress for major festivals.
2026 Public Holidays Checklist
- January 1 – New Year.
- February 14-23 – Tet (7-day official holiday).
- April 26 – Hung Kings’ Anniversary.
- April 30 – Reunification Day.
- May 1 – Labour Day.
- September 2 – National Day.
Hanoi Festivals FAQs
When is Tet 2026?
February 17, 2026 (Year of the Horse). Public holiday Feb 14-20.
When is Mid-Autumn 2026?
September 25, 2026.
Are festivals tourist-friendly?
Most yes. Tet has logistical challenges but unique cultural experience.
Do businesses close during Tet?
Yes — 3-7 days closures common. Plan ahead.
Best festival for first-time visitors?
Mid-Autumn Festival — visually stunning, atmospheric, manageable.
Are there local neighborhood festivals?
Yes — many small temple festivals year-round. Ask locally.
Will my Sept 2 visit be crowded?
Yes — Vietnamese tourist peak weekend.
Are festival foods special?
Yes — Tet has banh chung (square cake), Mid-Autumn has mooncakes, Mid-Year has com ruou.
Plan Your Festival Visit
This calendar helps you time your Hanoi visit. Pair this guide with our best time guide, Tet in Hanoi guide, Mid-Autumn Festival guide, and cultural experiences guide.
