Tet in Ho Chi Minh City: Dates and What Closes

The Tet 2027 break runs Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027. Banks pause counters while ATMs run 24/7, and many markets shut on the first day. Metro Line 1 ran 5:00 to 23:00 on the 2026 holiday days, and the 2026 Nguyen Hue flower street ran from 15 to 22 February.

By Vincent Nguyen

The Tet 2027 break runs Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027. Sort your paperwork, cash and food before the 4th.

Tet 2027 dates

The Deputy Prime Minister approved a 7-day Tet break and a 4-day National Day break for 2027. The Tet break runs from the 28th of the 12th lunar month to the 5th of the first lunar month. In dates, that is Thursday 4 February to Wednesday 10 February 2027.

The Minister of Home Affairs notifies agencies, enterprises and employees of the break as prescribed. Ask your employer or landlord for your own days off.

Government offices and immigration

Do not plan any visa paperwork inside the break. Temporary residence extension applications are received Monday to Saturday morning, excluding Tet and public holidays. Results are returned Monday to Friday, excluding Tet and public holidays.

File your extension a week or more before 4 February. The HCMC immigration office is on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. Steps and fees are in the extension guide.

Open the HCMC Immigration Office in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Banks, ATMs and cash

Finish counter business before Thursday 4 February 2027. At Tet 2026 many banks paused counters from 14 February, the day before that year’s flower street opened on 15 February. Mobile banking, ATMs and POS kept running 24/7.

Withdraw cash and pay your rent before the last working day. For limits and fees, read ATM fees and cash.

Markets, shops and food

Buy your groceries before the first day of Tet. On the first day of Tet 2026, many traditional markets, small shops and most shopping centres closed, and were expected to reopen from the second day.

Some large supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, pharmacies and essential services stayed open with limited hours. Expect the same pattern next Tet, and check opening hours on the day.

Metro and buses

At Tet 2026 the bus centre ran a 20-day peak service period from 7 to 26 February. Metro Line 1 ran 5:00 to 23:00 on holiday days. It was free for all passengers on 16 and 17 February 2026, and VinBus electric buses were free from 17 to 19 February.

The free fare on 134 city routes is scheduled to end on 31 December 2026. Do not assume a free ride at Tet. Check the notice in late January. Route rules are in the Ho Chi Minh City bus guide and the Metro Line 1 guide.

The Nguyen Hue flower street

Go on the first evening. In 2026 the flower street ran from the 28th of the 12th lunar month to the 6th day of Tet, 15 to 22 February, opening at 19:00 on 15 February. It sat on Nguyen Hue from the Le Loi junction to the Ton Duc Thang junction.

All vehicles were suspended on Nguyen Hue during the 2026 event, and the whole street became pedestrian. Its next dates are not published yet.

For fireworks, the city fired shells at 17 points in 2026, for 15 minutes from 0:00 on the first day of Tet. One of the four high-altitude sites was the Saigon River Tunnel head in An Khanh Ward.

Open Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

More on the street is in the Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien guide.

What stays open

Sights open on holidays, with small gaps. The Museum of Ho Chi Minh City opens 08:00 to 17:00 every day. It shut on 16 February 2026 for Tet prep and reopened on the first day of Tet. Expect the same pause before the break.

Independence Palace is open daily, including weekends and holidays. The War Remnants Museum opens 7:30 to 17:30 every day, holidays included.

Jade Emperor Pagoda is busiest on the 9th day of Tet. See the Jade Emperor Pagoda guide.

Prices, weather and safety

Hotel prices spike dramatically during Tet and national holidays. Book at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead. January to March, around Tet, is the driest season, with on average one or two rainy days of under 15 mm.

Before you go

• Mark Thursday 4 to Wednesday 10 February 2027.
• Finish immigration paperwork first: the office excludes Tet.
• Withdraw cash early, since counters pause while ATMs keep running.
• Stock the fridge before day one: at Tet 2026 many markets closed on the first day.
• Book hotels 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
• Check the metro and bus notices in late January.

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Not confirmed: Notices for banks, buses, metro, fireworks and the Nguyen Hue flower street are not published yet. Everything below about closures is Tet 2026 precedent; check again in January. The free city bus fare is scheduled to end on 31 December, so confirm what a Tet ride costs.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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