Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 “Year of the Horse” Tet Holiday (Official Dates & Survival Guide)
It’s happening again. The traffic is getting worse, the “Happy New Year” songs are blasting from every VinMart, and your landlord is suddenly very eager to give you a calendar.
Tet (Lunar New Year) is coming.
For the uninitiated, Tet isn’t just a holiday; it’s a nationwide system reboot. The chaos of Ho Chi Minh City vanishes for a week, replaced by eerie quiet streets and shuttered shops. It’s magical, but if you aren’t prepared, it can also be a logistical nightmare.
Here is your official briefing on the Year of the Horse (2026)—including the dates you need to know to keep your life running smoothly.
📅 The Official 2026 Dates (Write These Down)
The Vietnamese Government has finalized the schedule, and it’s a long one this year.
FOR GOVERNMENT, BANKS, & OFFICES:
If you have paperwork to do, a visa to renew, or money to transfer, the window is closing fast.
- Start Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 (27th of Lunar Dec)
- End Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026 (6th of Lunar Jan)
- Total Off: 9 Consecutive Days
Reality Check: Most government offices (Immigration, Notary, Post Office) will effectively stop processing new applications around February 11th or 12th. Don’t push your luck.
FOR STUDENTS (HCMC SCHOOLS):
Expats with kids, mark your calendars. Confirmed by the HCMC People’s Committee:
- Start Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
- End Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Back to School: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Total Off: 11 Days
🧧 The “Survival Guide”: How to Navigate the Shutdown
For about five days—specifically from February 16th to February 20th—Saigon becomes a ghost town. Here is how to survive (and enjoy) the lull.
1. THE “VISA TRAP” (CRUCIAL WARNING)
This is the rookie mistake that costs people thousands of dollars. Visas cannot be processed during the government holiday.
If your visa expires between Feb 14th and Feb 22nd, you absolutely must renew it NOW.
Pro-Tip: Immigration officers do not care that “the office was closed.” If you overstay, the fine is heavy, and it goes on your permanent record.
Need a fast-track solution? Contact our Visa Support Team immediately.
2. The Price Surge is Real
Tet is the most expensive time of the year.
- Grab/Taxis: Expect surcharges and longer wait times. Drivers are scarce because they’ve gone back to their hometowns.
- Food & Markets: Prices for fresh produce spike 20-30% in the days leading up to Tet.
- Services: Hair salons, nail spas, and car washes double their prices (or expect a big tip) in the final week.
3. Stock Up or Starve (Sort of)
Okay, you won’t starve. Convenience stores (Circle K, 7-Eleven) stay open 24/7. But if you plan on cooking a nice meal, buy your groceries by February 14th. The big wet markets and many supermarkets will close or have bare shelves for the first 3 days of the New Year.
🚗 Travel: The “Great Migration”
Millions of people are leaving HCMC to return to the provinces.
- Flights: Domestic tickets are currently selling at a premium.
- Trains/Buses: Sold out weeks ago.
- The Roads: The highways leaving the city will be gridlocked on Feb 12th and 13th.
Staying in town? You’re in luck. The streets of District 1 and Thao Dien will be completely empty. It’s the only time of year you can ride a bicycle down Le Duan Boulevard without fearing for your life.
Leaving town? Don’t rely on ride-hailing apps to get to the airport.
👉 Pro Move: Book a Private Car for Airport Pickup/Dropoff to ensure you actually make your flight.
🧨 Don’t Be a Hermit: Embrace the Vibe
We see this every year: Expats stocking up on Netflix and hiding in their apartments for a week. Don’t do it. Tet is arguably the best time to be in Vietnam.
- Flower Street: Head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street. It’s decked out in incredible floral displays (expect lots of Horses this year!).
- Fireworks: Midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve (Feb 16th) usually sees fireworks at the Thu Thiem Tunnel and Dam Sen Park.
- The Temples: Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda or Vinh Nghiem Pagoda on the first morning. The atmosphere is thick with incense and hope. It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
From the team at Saigon Cribs, Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year!)
May the Year of the Horse bring you success, health, and a rent-free month (okay, maybe just the success and health).
