- Overview
- Captured Moments
- Day by Day
- What's Included
- Travel Notes
- Not Included
- Your Questions Answered
- Reserve Your Place
Tết comes alive each year across Vietnam, a time of colour, ritual, and renewal. This is not a festival observed from the outside. It is an invitation into the traditions that shape the beginning of a new year.
Experience Highlights
- Explore Hanoi’s pre-dawn flower markets as the city prepares for Tết
- Experience ancestral traditions and temple rituals during the Lunar New Year
- Glide by boat through the limestone landscapes of Ninh Bình
- Step into the lantern-lit celebrations of Hội An during Tết
- Take part in a traditional lantern release on the river
Our journey begins in Hanoi, where the days leading up to Tết are filled with anticipation. Flower markets, decorative streets, and everyday rituals offer a first glimpse into the traditions that define the celebration.
In Ninh Bình, the pace softens. Among limestone mountains and rice fields, we experience a quieter side of Tết through temples, countryside life, and time spent close to the land.
As the new year arrives, we continue to Hội An, where the celebration unfolds in light and colour. Lanterns glow across the river, streets come alive, and traditions are carried forward through shared moments and simple rituals.
It is a journey through preparation, celebration, and renewal, where Vietnam’s traditions are experienced with clarity, warmth, and intention.
Limited to just 12 travellers to keep the experience intimate.
This journey unfolds across Vietnam during Tết, the Lunar New Year, when the country pauses, gathers, and begins again. From the vibrant preparations in Hanoi to the quieter landscapes of Ninh Bình and the lantern-lit streets of Hội An, each stage reveals a different layer of the celebration.
As the days progress, we move between ritual and everyday life, witnessing ancestral traditions, local customs, and the subtle shifts in atmosphere as the new year arrives. The energy builds gradually, before softening into moments of reflection, countryside calm, and riverside celebration.
Our itinerary is designed around the cultural timing of Tết, allowing us to experience both the preparation and the celebration itself. As with all journeys shaped by living traditions, timings and flow may adjust slightly to honour local customs and preserve the authenticity of each experience.
Itineraries
Day 01 | Hanoi
Date : 31/01/2027
First Impressions | Symbols of the New Year
Highlights
Tết preparation traditions · Decorative streets experience · Old Quarter by night · Street food journey
Welcome to Hanoi, where the streets pulse with life and the days leading up to Tết carry a quiet sense of anticipation.
This afternoon, we step into the visual language of the New Year. With a local guide, we explore the streets where families gather to select peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and ceremonial decorations. Each element carries meaning. Some are placed on ancestral altars to honour family lineage, others are displayed at doorways to welcome fortune in the year ahead. Through these traditions we gain our first glimpse into the cultural heart of Tết and the rituals that shape the celebration.
As evening falls, the city shifts. Lanterns glow, kitchens spill onto the streets, and the rhythm of Hanoi comes alive after dark.
Tonight, we experience the capital through its food. Moving between beloved local eateries and hidden street stalls in the famous Old Quarter, we taste dishes that define the capital’s culinary culture. It is vibrant, flavourful, and unmistakably Hanoi.
A lively and sensory welcome to the journey ahead.
Inclusions
Tết decorations experience · Old Quarter by night · Street food journey · Accommodation in Hanoi
Day 02 | Hanoi
Date : 01/02/2027
Markets and Traditions | Preparing for the New Year
Highlights
Pre-dawn Quảng Bá flower market · Vietnamese coffee culture workshop
Before sunrise we venture into one of Hanoi’s most colourful traditions. At the Quảng Bá flower market, trucks arrive through the night carrying blossoms from villages across northern Vietnam. In the days before Tết the market becomes a sea of colour as traders arrange peach blossoms, chrysanthemums, lilies, and kumquat trees destined for family homes and ancestral altars across the city.
After returning for breakfast and rest, the morning continues with a journey into another Vietnamese ritual. Coffee culture here is distinctive and deeply social. In a hands-on workshop we learn the art of brewing traditional phin-filter coffee and explore some of Hanoi’s most beloved variations, including egg coffee and coconut coffee.
The afternoon is yours to rest or explore at your own pace before we gather again for dinner in one of Hanoi’s distinctive local restaurants, where the flavours of northern Vietnam are celebrated with elegance and warmth. It is a relaxed moment to enjoy the city’s cuisine and settle into the rhythm of the group.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Guided Quảng Bá flower market tour · Coffee workshop · Dinner · Accommodation in Hanoi
Day 03 | Hanoi
Date : 02/02/2027
Sacred Traditions | Temples and Ancestral Rituals
Highlights
Ancestral altar traditions · Trấn Quốc Pagoda · Ngọc Sơn Temple · Long Biên Bridge at sunset
Today offers a deeper connection to the spiritual traditions that shape Tết.
We begin with the customs of ancestral worship, where families prepare offerings of fruit, flowers, and incense to honour those who came before them. This ritual sits at the heart of the New Year and connects past and present in a way that is both personal and shared.
We visit two of Hanoi’s most atmospheric temples, Trấn Quốc Pagoda rises quietly beside West Lake, while Ngọc Sơn Temple sits on a small island in the centre of the city. Each offers a distinct sense of place and devotion. During the days surrounding Tết, these temples fill with worshippers lighting incense and offering prayers for prosperity, health, and happiness in the year ahead.
A relaxed local lunch follows and as the day softens, we make our way toward historic Long Biên Bridge, where the movement of trains, scooters, and daily life continues above the Red River. From a nearby riverside café, we pause for coffee as the light fades and Hanoi gradually shifts once more into evening.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Guided cultural visits · Lunch · Accommodation in Hanoi
Day 04 | Ninh Binh
Date : 03/02/2027
Karst Landscapes | Arrival in the Countryside
Highlights
Journey to Ninh Binh · Hang Múa viewpoint · Countryside dinner
Leaving Hanoi behind, we travel south into the limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh where rice fields stretch beneath towering karst mountains to experience how Tết is prepared beyond the city.
In rural communities, this is a time of return. Families gather, homes are readied, and traditions unfold at a slower, more intimate pace. The shift is immediate. Urban energy gives way to open space, paddies, and quiet villages. This our view as we enjoy a relaxed countryside lunch.
In the afternoon, we climb the stone steps of Hang Múa, where a winding staircase leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in northern Vietnam. From the summit the valley unfolds in every direction. Rivers wind through rice fields while limestone peaks rise sharply from the earth.
As evening falls, we gather for dinner surrounded by this natural stillness. It is a gentle contrast to the days before and a grounding pause before the New Year begins.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Lunch · Hang Múa viewpoint · Dinner · Accommodation in Ninh Binh
Day 05 | Ninh Binh
Date : 04/02/2027
Pilgrimage and River Valleys | Traditions Before Tết
Highlights
Sunrise visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda · Countryside breakfast picnic · Village cycling · Tam Coc boat journey
Before dawn we set out for Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Here we witness the traditions that shape the spiritual beginning of the Lunar New Year. Pilgrims light incense and offer prayers for prosperity, health, and good fortune as the first light of day spreads across the mountains.
Afterwards, we pause for a simple countryside breakfast. Sharing fresh fruit, warm bread, and Vietnamese coffee as the morning light settles over the valley offers a peaceful start to the day.
The morning continues by bicycle, following quiet lanes where daily life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Water buffalo graze beside irrigation canals while farmers work their fields beneath towering limestone cliffs.
In the afternoon we experience the valley from the water. Small wooden boats glide along the Ngo Dong River through a maze of limestone formations and rice fields, passing beneath cave tunnels before emerging into wide open valleys framed by dramatic karst mountains.
Dinner this evening is relaxed and unhurried as we enjoy our final night among the landscapes of northern Vietnam before continuing south for the celebrations of Tết.
Inclusions
Breakfast picnic · Village cycling · Tam Coc boat journey · Dinner · Accommodation in Ninh Binh
Day 06 | Hoi An
Date : 05/02/2027
Arrival in the Lantern City | Tết Eve
Highlights
Domestic flight to Hội An · Lantern-lit Old Town · Tết Eve atmosphere · Riverside celebrations · Welcome dinner
We leave Ninh Binh behind this morning, travelling north to Hanoi before continuing by air to central Vietnam. By early afternoon, we arrive in Hội An, where the final hours of the year are already beginning to unfold.
The Old Town is already alive. Lanterns hang overhead, red banners line the streets, and families gather in anticipation. Every detail signals change, renewal, and the beginning of something new.
As evening deepens, we move towards the river. Lanterns drift across the water, their reflections flickering between light and shadow. The atmosphere builds steadily as the city prepares to welcome the new year.
We step into the evening together, moving through the streets as the atmosphere builds around us.
Later, we gather for dinner, a moment to pause as the evening builds around us. Along the river, lanterns drift across the water, boats move slowly through the current, and the streets fill with people welcoming the new year. As midnight approaches, the atmosphere lifts, carried by light, sound, and shared anticipation.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Domestic flight to Hội An · Light snacks and refreshments during transfer · Evening Old Town exploration · Welcome dinner · Accommodation in Hội An
Day 07 | Hoi An
Date : 06/02/2027
Tết Day | Tradition, Light, and New Beginnings
Highlights
Tết Day in Hội An · Temple visits and incense rituals · Old Town exploration · Lantern-lit river · Traditional New Year dinner
The first morning of the new year begins quietly.
The streets of Hội An move at a different rhythm today. Lanterns still hang above the river, but much of the city remains calm as families gather at temples, burn incense, and begin the year with prayers for health, prosperity, and renewal.
We step into these traditions, visiting local temples where the air is thick with incense and the rhythm of the day is steady and intentional. Here, locals gather to offer prayers and write wishes for health, prosperity, and the year ahead.
As the afternoon unfolds, the city gradually begins to reawaken. Cafés reopen, market stalls return, and movement slowly filters back through the Old Town. With time left open to explore at your own pace, there is space to experience Hội An in this quieter moment between stillness and celebration.
By evening, the energy shifts once more. Lanterns glow across the river, music and conversation spill into the streets, and the city settles into the warmth and atmosphere of the new year.
Tonight, we gather for a traditional Tết dinner together, marking the beginning of the year in the heart of Hội An.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Guided temple visits · Dinner · Accommodation in Hội An
Day 08 | Hoi An
Date : 07/02/2027
From Field to Table | Hands, Herbs, and Shared Meals
Highlights
Tra Que herb village · Hands-on cooking experience · Local farming traditions · Bamboo Circus performance
This morning, we step beyond the Old Town into the surrounding countryside.
At Tra Que village, life is shaped by the land. Farmers tend neat rows of herbs and vegetables using traditional methods passed down through generations. We spend time alongside them, learning the techniques behind this way of life and gaining a deeper connection to the ingredients that define Vietnamese cuisine.
From field to kitchen, the experience continues. Guided by local hosts, we prepare and share a meal together, creating dishes that reflect both tradition and seasonality. It is a relaxed, shared moment around the table, where the group naturally comes together.
The afternoon is left open for rest or time at your own pace.
In the evening, we gather for a contemporary cultural performance. Through bamboo, movement, and live music, the Bamboo Circus offers a striking interpretation of Vietnamese life and landscape. It is energetic, expressive, and unlike anything else on the journey.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Tra Que village experience · Cooking class with lunch · Bamboo Circus performance · Accommodation in Hội An
Day 09 | Hoi An
Date : 08/02/2027
Craft and Culture | Traditions of the New Year
Highlights
Coconut Forest basket boats · Lantern-making workshop · Old Town at leisure
Morning begins with a shift in pace.
We head to the coconut forests just outside Hội An, where small basket boats glide through narrow waterways lined with dense palms. It is playful, and effortlessly lively, with moments of laughter that feel worlds away from the quiet rituals of earlier days. Lunch follows with a chance to taste local dishes like crispy pancakes, banana blossom salad, or coconut rice.
Returning to town, the afternoon turns more hands-on. In a lantern-making workshop, we learn the techniques behind one of Hội An’s most recognisable symbols, creating our own to take home or release along the river.
The evening is left open, offering time to enjoy the atmosphere of Hội An in your own way.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Coconut forest experience with lunch · Lantern workshop · Accommodation in Hội An
Day 10 | Hoi An
Date : 09/02/2027
Ancient Echoes and Lantern Light | A Farewell in Celebration
Highlights
Sunrise at Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary · Cham temple exploration · Forest lunch · Sunset rooftop cocktails · Lantern wishes on the river · Farewell dinner
Before the town begins to stir, we travel inland to Mỹ Sơn, where the remains of the ancient Cham civilisation sit quietly within a forested valley. In the early morning light, the temples feel still and atmospheric. Walking among these ruins offers a powerful contrast to the days of celebration, adding depth and perspective to the journey, we pause for a relaxed lunch in a peaceful garden setting, surrounded by greenery and the quiet rhythm of the countryside.
We return to Hội An with time to rest before the final evening.
As the light softens, we gather above the town for sunset cocktails, watching the rooftops glow as day turns to evening.
From here, we move towards the river, where lanterns drift across the water and the atmosphere settles into something more intimate. Each lantern carries a quiet wish for the year ahead, a simple ritual that connects this final night to everything that has come before.
Our journey closes with a farewell dinner, a final shared moment to reflect, celebrate, and mark the experience together.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary visit · Lunch · Sunset cocktails · Lantern release · Farewell dinner · Accommodation in Hội An
Day 11 | Hoi An
Date : 10/02/2027
Tạm biệt | Until We Meet Again
Highlights
Farewell breakfast and optional shared transfer
Our final morning is unhurried.
There is time for a last coffee, a quiet walk through Hội An, or simply a moment to take in the stillness that lingers after the New Year celebrations.
Departures take place throughout the day, each guest continuing onward in their own direction after days shaped by ritual, gathering, reflection, and renewal.
What remains is not only the memory of the celebrations themselves, but the feeling of having experienced Vietnam during one of its most meaningful moments of the year.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Airport transfer
Hanoi and Tết Preparations
- Old Quarter street food experience
- Guided visit to Quảng Bá pre-dawn flower market
- Vietnamese coffee culture workshop
- Guided cultural visits including temples and ancestral traditions during Tết
Signature Ninh Bình Experiences
- Hang Múa viewpoint experience
- Sunrise visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda
- Countryside village cycling through rice fields
- Tam Coc river boat journey through limestone landscapes
Signature Hội An Experiences
- Evening exploration of Hội An during Tết celebrations
- Tra Que village experience with hands-on cooking class
- Bamboo Circus performance
- Coconut forest basket boat experience with local lunch
- Lantern-making workshop with local artisans
- Sunrise visit to Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary
- Sunset rooftop cocktails overlooking Hội An
- Traditional river lantern release
- Farewell dinner in Hội An
Food and Dining
- Daily breakfasts throughout the journey
- A considered mix of local restaurants, winter specialities, and regional dining experiences
- Shared dinners that reflect the atmosphere and rhythm of each destination
- Experiences ranging from street food and Thai dishes to refined Bangkok dining
Accommodation
- Carefully selected accommodation in Hanoi, Ninh Bình, and Hội An
- A balance between modern city hotels and mountain settings
- Chosen for comfort, atmosphere, and proximity to key experiences
- All rooms are private and include en-suite bathrooms
Transport and Logistics
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Domestic flights within Thailand included
- All transport between destinations, experiences, and excursions is included
- All entrance fees and logistical arrangements handled throughout
Guidance and Support
- Fully guided throughout by a dedicated tour leader and knowledgeable local hosts
- Cultural insight and thoughtful guidance woven throughout the journey
- Seamless coordination throughout, allowing you to stay present in the experience
Our Accommodation
- Our accommodation throughout the journey has been carefully selected to reflect the atmosphere and contrast of each destination, balancing vibrant city stays with quieter countryside and riverside settings
- In Hanoi, properties are chosen for their character, comfort, and proximity to the cultural neighbourhoods and experiences explored during the opening days of Tết preparations
- In Ninh Bình, accommodation reflects the slower rhythm of the countryside, offering a peaceful setting surrounded by limestone landscapes and rice fields
- In Hội An, accommodation places us close to the lantern lit streets and riverside atmosphere that define the city during Tết celebrations
- Across all locations, properties have been selected not for excess, but for comfort, atmosphere, and ease throughout the journey
- All rooms are private and include en suite bathrooms
Festival Timing
- Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is the most important cultural celebration in Vietnam, with festivities unfolding over several days according to the lunar calendar
- In the days leading up to Tết, cities and towns transform as families prepare ancestral altars, decorate homes with flowers and lanterns, and gather for reunion celebrations
- Markets become especially vibrant during this period, filled with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, flowers, traditional foods, and seasonal decorations
- During Tết itself, many businesses temporarily close as families spend time together, honour ancestors, and participate in traditions marking the beginning of the new year
- Our journey is intentionally timed to experience both the build up to Tết and the quieter, more reflective atmosphere that follows during the holiday period
What to Expect
- Tết carries a unique atmosphere that shifts between lively public celebration and quieter moments centered around family, ritual, and reflection
- Cities may feel busier in the days leading into Tết, particularly in markets, train stations, and shopping districts as preparations intensify
- During the first days of the new year, the rhythm often changes completely, with quieter streets, closed storefronts, and a stronger focus on home and tradition
- Many experiences throughout the itinerary are centered around culture, ritual, food, craftsmanship, and community rather than fast paced sightseeing
- Lantern displays, floral decorations, incense, ancestral offerings, and seasonal foods become part of daily life throughout the journey
Why This Region
- Hanoi offers an atmospheric introduction to Tết traditions, where markets, temples, and daily street life reflect the anticipation and preparation surrounding the new year
- Ninh Bình provides a quieter and more reflective setting, where rural landscapes and slower rhythms reveal another side of Vietnamese life during Tết
- Hội An is one of Vietnam’s most atmospheric destinations during Lunar New Year, with lantern lit streets, riverside celebrations, and strong connections to traditional customs
- The journey moves intentionally between energetic urban spaces and calmer countryside environments, creating balance throughout the experience
• Travelling during Tết offers a deeper cultural perspective into Vietnamese traditions, family life, and seasonal rituals rarely experienced during ordinary travel periods
Seasonal Weather
- February in northern and central Vietnam generally brings mild and comfortable weather conditions
- Hanoi and Ninh Bình typically experience temperatures between 15°C to 23°C / 59°F to 73°F, with cooler mornings and evenings possible
- Hội An and central Vietnam are usually slightly warmer, with daytime temperatures often ranging between 22°C and 28°C / 72°F to 82°F
- Light rain or overcast skies may occasionally occur, particularly in the north, though conditions are generally comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor experiences
- Humidity is typically lower than during Vietnam’s summer months, creating more comfortable travel conditions throughout the journey
Practical Notes
- This journey includes moderate walking through historic streets, temples, markets, countryside paths, and riverside areas
- Comfortable walking shoes, lightweight layers, and a light rain jacket are recommended throughout the journey
During Tết, some shops, restaurants, and businesses may temporarily close, creating a different rhythm to daily life compared to other times of year - Domestic travel periods around Tết can be busier than usual, particularly in airports and transport hubs
- Festival periods may attract both local visitors and travellers, particularly in the days immediately leading into Lunar New Year celebrations
- The itinerary has been designed to balance cultural immersion, seasonal celebration, quieter reflection, and comfortable pacing throughout the journey
Flights and Arrival
- International airfare to and from Thailand
Travel Requirements
- Travel insurance (required for participation)
- Relevant visas where applicable (see Travel Notes section)
Personal Expenses & Free Time Options
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Personal purchases and incidental expenses
- Optional activities during periods of free time
Yes, Tết is one of the most meaningful and culturally rich times to experience Vietnam. While it is the country’s most important holiday, it is also a period filled with flowers, traditions, ancestral rituals, street markets, lanterns, and local celebrations.
The atmosphere throughout the journey shifts between lively celebration and quieter reflective moments, offering a deeper cultural experience beyond everyday travel.
Some local businesses, family run restaurants, and smaller shops may close temporarily during the main public holiday days as families gather together to celebrate. However, this is already considered throughout the itinerary planning.
Experiences, restaurants, and activities included within the journey are carefully selected around the holiday rhythm to ensure the experience remains smooth, immersive, and enjoyable.
Absolutely. This journey has been intentionally designed for travellers experiencing Vietnam for the first time. The itinerary balances cultural immersion, guided experiences, quieter countryside settings, and comfortable accommodations throughout the journey.
With a dedicated tour leader and local hosts, guests are supported while still having space to experience Vietnam in an authentic and meaningful way.
Tết carries a very unique atmosphere that blends celebration, family tradition, reflection, and renewal. Streets fill with flowers, decorations, food stalls, and local gatherings in the lead up to the new year, while temples and homes become places of prayer, offerings, and reconnection.
In some moments the atmosphere feels vibrant and festive, while in others it becomes unexpectedly calm and reflective as families spend time together.
Vietnamese cuisine is incredibly varied and is often known for its balance of fresh herbs, broths, grilled dishes, rice, seafood, and vibrant flavours rather than intense spice.
The journey includes a thoughtful mix of street food experiences, local restaurants, cooking experiences, and more relaxed dining settings.
Guests are always able to explore at their own comfort level, and dietary preferences can usually be accommodated when advised in advance.