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TIGER TOURS
Tet Holiday (also known as Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is the biggest and most important occasion with the Vietnamese, so obviously you shouldn’t miss it if you plan to travel here. We hope this FAQs list will give you some valued tips on how to enjoy Tet just like the local does, especially for those who are going to visit Saigon and Mekong Delta.
1. When is Tet 2017?
This year the holiday falls on the end of January, with New Year Eve is January 27th, 2017. Normally Tet lasts for three days, but the Vietnamese spends some more days before it to prepare and also a few days after to enjoy Tet.
2. Why does Vietnamese Tet change its date every year?
Because Tet is based on Lunar Calendar, which follows the cycle of the moon phase. Hence the date of Lunar New Year in Gregorian calendar slightly changes every year. Usually the date will fall from the end of January to the middle of February accordingly.
3. How long will it be?
4. Is it a good time to be in Vietnam?
Definitely! If you wish to experience local lifewhen traveling, there is nothing better than coming to Vietnam on Tet holiday. This is the most important occasion for the Vietnamese so you will have chance to see and do so many interesting activities here.
5. How is the traffic during this time?
6. How does the Vietnamese prepare for Tet?
• People clean or renovate their home in the hopes of getting rid of bad luck from the old year, and bringing new luck for a whole upcoming year. Parents also purchase new outfits and shoes for their children to signify a new change, but the kids have to wait until the first day of the year to wear their most beautiful clothes.
• We also go shopping for gifts (cookies, Chinese sausage, tea, coffee, milk, wine, etc.) and a lot of food to store in the house, because most of wet markets close on the first three days of Tet.
• Every Vietnamese family holds a New Year Eve party with their family, relatives and close friends to give offerings to ancestors and say good bye to the old year.
7. Does the price change in Tet holiday?
Yes. Following the labor law of Vietnamese Government, if the staffs work during this time, they will get 300% more of one-day salary. Therefore, all companies operating on Tet will have to charge for extra fee. The same for restaurants, there will be included service charge, how many percent will depend on their policy. Also, the transportation fee will also be charged for about 30% more. You will find that apart from some businesses open in the hospitality industry, all offices and shops are closed and there are only a few vehicles moving around the city.
8. Do the tourist spots close in this occasion?
Normally they will stay open during Tet holiday as this is also the high season for tourism in Vietnam. In Saigon, some popular attractions that you can visit this time are War Remnant Museum, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh market, etc. and all pagodas. Tourist activities in Mekong Delta are also available if you wish to come here.
9. Where to go and what to do on these days?
• In HCM City: Flower Festival on Nguyen Hue Boulevard or Tao Dan Park is A MUST-DO since it’s the symbol for Tet in Saigon. Besides, you can check out shopping malls or famous landmarks by yourself as they usually open all year round.
• Mekong Delta: Visit beautiful flower farms in Mekong Delta before and during Tet is a great idea as you will have chance to see a wide range of beautiful flowers in one of the biggest flower farms of Vietnam. Moreover, visit local village, cruise down the river or enjoy sampan ride in a small canal are also very interesting to try.
• Tiger’ suggestion: Find a local friend and get to see what Tet is in reality. Needless to say, you only can experience a REAL Tet when you hang out with the local, as Tet holiday has its own characteristics that are exclusively known by the Vietnamese. For example, what rituals do people do and why they do that, what they eat, where they go, etc. you will find for yourself the answers when you truly live in Vietnamese style.
10. Does Tiger Tours open on Tet holiday?
• Yes, we do stay open during Tet holiday. However, for any tour using private car (to Cu Chi tunnel, Mekong Delta, etc.) please book in advance as soon as possible, so that we can arrange the tour (including transportation, tour guide, restaurants and other services) well for you. Tours in HCM City by motorbike will also depend on our availability on the date you book.
• Tet is the national holiday so there will be extra charge on tour price, because we have to pay more for our staffs and also extra service fee for the suppliers. Nonetheless, we make sure you will pay a fair and reasonable price as we commit to provide best services without any trick to mark the price up.
• If you want to arrange a private custom tour for you and your group on this Tet holiday, please contact us via email or hotline to receive detailed itinerary and quotation.
By Tiger Team
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