Tet in HCMC 2027: What Closes and What Expats Should Expect

Tet (Tết Nguyên Đán), the Lunar New Year, is the biggest holiday in Vietnam — and the one that catches new expats off guard. The transformation is fast: a buzzing city empties out almost overnight as millions head to their hometowns. Plan around it and you’ll glide through; ignore it and you’ll be hunting for an open bowl of phở on a silent street with no cash in your wallet.

Here’s what to expect for Tet in HCMC in 2027, what stays open, and the rental and daily-life prep that actually matters.

When is Tet 2027?

Tet Day (Mùng 1) in 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 February 2027, with Tet Eve on Friday, 5 February. Vietnam’s Labour Code grants a minimum of five paid public-holiday days for Lunar New Year, and the government almost always arranges the span into a longer continuous break (often around 7–9 days once weekends and compensatory days are folded in).

Is HCMC really closed during Tet?

Not closed — quieter, and unevenly so. Central tourist and mall zones keep far more running than residential alleys, where family-run shops and food stalls down their shutters. The hardest window is Tet Eve through Mùng 2 or Mùng 3 (roughly 5–8 Feb 2027); from around Mùng 4–6, chains and many restaurants restart, though exactly when varies place to place. Longtime residents describe Tet Day itself as a peaceful “ghost town” — lovely for a walk, less so for food-hopping.

What closes or slows down

• Local restaurants, wet markets and small shops — the most likely to shut, some from Tet Eve until Mùng 3 or later.
• Banks and government offices — closed for the official holiday; sort any banking before the break (ATMs can run dry, so withdraw early).
• Housekeepers, nannies and building contractors — many travel home. Confirm your helper’s last working day, return date and Tet bonus in advance.
• Grab, taxis and delivery — fewer drivers around the core days can mean longer waits and higher fares. Build in extra time, especially for airport runs; see our transport guide.

What stays open

• Malls and big supermarkets — chains usually publish Tet schedules, often extending hours before, shortening or closing on the core day(s), then reopening from around Mùng 2. Don’t assume normal hours; check your nearest branch. Stock up early at the international supermarkets.
• Convenience stores — your best backup for food and drinks when restaurants are shut.
• Hospitals and pharmacies — HCMC hospitals run Tet emergency duty, and large pharmacy chains often stay open through the holiday. Know your nearest before the break.
• Hotel restaurants and central cafés — among the more reliable places to eat out on the quiet days.

How Tet affects renting and apartment life

This is the part agents won’t always warn you about: the rental machine slows right down. Viewings, lease signing, deposit transfers, move-in handovers, repairs and internet/building-card setup all stall when landlords, building staff, agencies and contractors take their holiday.

If you’ll be in the city over Tet, a well-serviced building makes the holiday smoother — staffed reception/security, nearby convenience stores and supermarkets, and taxi pickup points. Before signing near Tet, ask the agent or landlord: who’s on call for leaks/AC/electricity during the holiday, when building management closes, whether move-ins are allowed, and which nearby store stays open. Self-contained towers in Binh Thanh, Thao Dien and District 1 tend to keep more services within reach.

Your Tet preparation checklist

1. Stock up before Tet Eve. Food, water, medicine, baby and pet supplies — enough for several days in case your local spots close.
2. Withdraw cash, in small notes. ATMs can empty out, and small vendors, parking and lì xì (lucky money) are cash jobs. Card and apps still work in malls, but not everywhere.
3. Confirm your helper’s schedule and bonus. Last day, return date, Tet bonus and any backup cleaning — agreed in advance.
4. Book transport early. Airport trips and intercity travel sell out and surge; reserve ahead.
5. Save the essentials. Building security number, your address in Vietnamese, and your nearest open pharmacy/hospital and convenience store.

What to enjoy during Tet in HCMC

The flip side of the closures is a genuinely special week. Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the centre becomes a festive pedestrian showcase (dates and design announced closer to Tet), and the city stages New Year fireworks at multiple riverside sites — in 2026 there were 17 locations including the Saigon River/Thu Thiem area, with the 2027 line-up to be confirmed. And the rare quiet of the first days is its own reward: empty boulevards, clear skies, and the calmest the city ever gets.

Frequently asked questions

When is Tet 2027 in Vietnam?

Tet Day (Mùng 1) is Saturday, 6 February 2027, with Tet Eve on 5 February. The legal minimum is five paid public-holiday days, and the government usually arranges a longer continuous break — the official 2027 dates are announced a few months beforehand.

Is Ho Chi Minh City closed during Tet?

Not closed, but much quieter and patchy. Local restaurants, markets and small shops often shut from Tet Eve through Mùng 2–3, while malls, big supermarkets, convenience stores and hospitals keep running. Things reopen gradually from around Mùng 4–6.

Are supermarkets open during Tet in HCMC?

Generally yes, on adjusted hours. Big chains publish Tet schedules — often extended before the holiday, shortened or closed on the core day, then reopening from Mùng 2. Check your specific branch rather than assuming normal hours.

Can I use Grab during Tet?

Usually, but expect fewer drivers, longer waits and higher fares on the core days, since many drivers travel home. Plan extra time and book airport trips early.

Are banks open during Tet?

No — banks close for the official Tet holiday. Withdraw cash beforehand (ATMs can run dry) and complete any banking before the break.

Should I rent an apartment before or after Tet?

Either, but finish the paperwork before the holiday. Viewings, signing, deposits and move-ins all slow down as agents, landlords and building staff take leave, so aim to wrap up 1–2 weeks before Tet, or expect to wait until people return.

How much cash should I prepare?

Enough for several days of food, transport, parking, small purchases and lì xì, in small notes. There’s no fixed number, but don’t rely on ATMs over the core days — they’re often empty.

Where can I watch Tet fireworks in HCMC?

The city stages fireworks at multiple riverside sites at midnight on Tet Eve — recent years have used the Saigon River / Thu Thiem area and central spots. The exact 2027 locations are announced shortly before Tet, so check the city’s official announcement.

Key takeaways

Moving to HCMC around Tet?

We help foreign tenants line up viewings and complete the lease before the holiday slowdown — and pick a building that stays livable when the city goes quiet. No fee charged to tenants.

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Related guides:

• Hiring a Housekeeper in HCMC
• International Supermarkets in HCMC
• Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City