Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday) is the biggest festival of the year for the Vietnamese. Naturally, there are a lot of activities taking place during those days, and they can get overwhelmed at times. But fret not, we, Maze Vietnam creators, have set out to ease the trouble. Here is your ultimate guide to Tết Festival in Saigon.

Fairs

1. Nguyen Hue Flower Street
   Iconic and must see. Nguyen Hue Flower Street has long been a big part of Tet for the people of Saigon. Each year, the street is designed with a theme according to the 12 Zodiac Signs. This year, 2018, is the year of the dog. Even though the flower arrangements are extraordinary in their own rights, what makes the street special for me is the spirits. It is truly amazing to feel so much energy in one place.
   
   

   

   

   Date: 13-19/2
   Address: Nguyen Hue Street, District 1

2. Hội Hoa Xuân (Flower Festival)
   A confirmed smorgasbord of entertainment. There is a small game ground, lots of food vendors, various souvenir shops, a tea ceremony, a musical concert, and a huge flower competition going on. Avid gardeners and flower enthusiasts from across the country bring their proudest product here and make a total of over 4000 displays for your viewing pleasure. We have witnessed the appearance of weirdly shaped (and very much attractive) trees, or even a 2-century-old apricot blossom tree in the past years and cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store.

   

   Date: 10-21/2/2018
   Address: Trương Định, Bến Thành Ward, District 1

3. Chợ Hoa (Flower Markets)
   Should you wish more than just viewing, say, actually owning a vase or two of Vietnamese flowers, then come by one of these three venues to browse for yourself.

   

   Date: 8-15/2/2018
   Address:
   23/9 Park: 2 Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1
   Gia Dinh Park: Ward 9, Phú Nhuận District
   Le Van Tam Park: Võ Thị Sáu, ĐaKao Ward, District 1

4. Phố Ông Đồ (Ong Do Street)
   Long ago, people traditionally sought distinguished scholars of the village (Ong Do) to ask for Thư Pháp. Thư Pháp is a Vietnamese take on calligraphy and what is typically written on it are Chinese characters of health, success, and luck, basically, the things you would wish to gain or retain in the new year. Now even though the practice is not as prevalent, Vietnamese still celebrate the tradition by organizing Ong Do Street where people can ask for good fortunes on paper just like old times.
   
   Video made by Khoi Nguyen

   

   

   Date: 10:00 – 22:00, from 02/02/2018 to 15/02/2018
   Address: Phạm Ngọc Thạch – Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, District 1

Pagodas

Vietnamese people believe that taking a trip to pagodas’ doors on the first few days of the new year will bring them good fortune for the 12 months ahead. But these spiritual sanctuaries are more than just platforms for people to pray for success and luck. They grant vísitors access to tranquil settings where people can wholeheartedly leave all the sufferings and sorrows behind and start entirely afresh. 

1. Chùa Giác Lâm (Giac Lam Pagoda)
   Established in 1744, Giac Lam Pagoda is widely considered to be the oldest pagoda around in Ho Chi Minh city. It is the very exemplar of Southern temple architecture with 3 adjoining house blocks following the Tam (which means 3) style.

   

   Address: 565 Lạc Long Quân, Ward 10, Tân Bình District
   Phone: 028 3865 3933

2. Chùa Vĩnh Nghiêm (Vinh Nghiem Pagoda)
   If Giac Lam is the paragon of Southern architecture, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda brings the North architectural essence to you. Here once raged the final battle of national hero Nguyen Van Troi in 1965. Hence, a temple dedicated to Nguyen Van Troi can be reached right across the street.
   
   At the height of 14m, with 7 floors, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has been recorded the highest stupa in Vietnam. Meticulously carved onto the walls of this stupa are ornate designs and patterns that are uniquely Ly-Tran Dynasties.
   
   

   

   Address: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Ward 14, District 3
   Phone: 028 3848 3153

3. Chùa Xá Lợi (Xa Loi Pagoda)
   Xa Loi Pagoda is the first in the city to be built on the base of modern architecture: presbytery upstairs, amphitheater downstairs. It boasts the highest Bell Tower in the country with seven floors and 32 meters in height that was inaugurated in 1961. On the top floor hangs The Great Bell, weighed 2 tons, the sound of which even reverberates its way to Vietnamese art and literature. It was most prominently featured in “Tiếng chuông chùa Xá Lợi” (roughly translated to The sound of Xa Loi Pagoda’s Bell) written by Vien Chau.

   

   
   

   

   Address: 89B Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, Ward 7, District 3
   Phone: 028 3930 7605

New Year Fireworks

And of course, how could we end this list without mentioning the only right thing to do when the clock ticks 12, firework-gazing. Start the new year in style right at your home or for a more direct view and electric atmosphere, move to the center, somewhere near Saigon River and Nguyen Hue street. However, if you do, watch out for your belongings and beware the heavy traffic. The firework display will start at 0h and ends 15 minutes on the 16th of February this year.