In case you might be asking yourself, Tết is short for “Tet Nguyen Dan” which translates into Sino-Vietnamese as “feast of the first morning on the first day”. For locals, this important period is a time to look forward with hope and leave the troubles of the past behind. As you can imagine, this also means that locals all over the country return home to spend time with their families during the New Year in Vietnam.

But what exactly happens during Tết?

Let’s take a closer look at this vibrant period and what you need to know before traveling to Vietnam for the celebration.

Celebrating Tet & The New Year In Vietnam

Tết follows the very same calendar as China which means that New Year in Vietnam coincides with that of the Chinese New Year. At the same time, there are some unique nuances with celebrations in Vietnam to look out for. For example, hooting owls are considered very unlucky during Tết, while dogs barking is considered a sign of confidence and hence, this is encouraged by locals.

In preparation for Tết, most locals begin cleaning their homes, organizing their finances and picking up new clothing for the celebrations. Simply put, this is a time when Vietnamese people actively try to rid their lives of “bad fortune” and fill this void with hopes of prosperity.

Vietnamese locals also lay on an impressive feast for their friends and family during Tết. You will find that gifts are exchanged during the New Year in Vietnam and everyone will visit a place of worship and possibly one of the many public parades.

As a rule, the first few days are supposed to be spent with family, with friends, and friends of friends being welcomed into the circle as the celebrations progress. Interestingly, locals are often found burning gold leaf paper to “the Kithcen God” as a means of appeasing this god for any of their wrongdoing. This is also a time for locals to pay their respects for their deceased relatives.

But what does this mean to you, the traveler?

What Does New Year In Vietnam Mean For Visitors?

Well, even though Tết is very much a local celebration, visitors are always welcomed to join in with the festivities. You see, at midnight on Tết, the Vietnamese welcome the New Year with some extraordinary firework displays. Meanwhile, drums and chants fill the air as a very vibrant atmosphere takes over the streets.

Also, you must understand that this is a time of grace and giving, as Vietnamese people believe that what happens during Tết is a sign of what will happen in the upcoming year. Similarly, most households also believe that the wealth of the first visitor through their front door on Vietnamese New Year will determine their own wealth in the year to come!

Moral of the story: Vietnamese people will be more than happy to see you during Tết!

Now, here’s a quick overview of the best places to visit for Tết and celebrating the New Year in Vietnam.

Activities & Things To Do During Tet

Hue, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are the most popular places to visit for New Year in Vietnam and where many events, fireworks and celebrations are common.

1. Hue

As you can imagine, the former capital of Hue is a focal point of celebrations where a “Tet Pole” is raised on the grounds of the Hue Imperial Citadel. This happens on the very first day and interestingly, the “Cay Neu” in Hue Citadel (traditional bamboo plant) is also the largest one you will see during the celebrations.

2. Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Som Temple and Quan Su pagoda are some of the best places to visit during the New Year in Vietnam. Also, many events are held at the Hanoi Opera House and, unless you want to avoid the crowds, this is the best place to witness a huge fireworks display.

3. Ho Chi Minh

Tết is the only time of year when a floating market takes place in Ho Chi Minh—Binh Dong Floating Flower Market in District 8. However, there are many more pleases to join in the festivities around HCMC such as the ornament street in Hai Thuong Lan Ong (Chinatown) or Nguyen Hue Boulevard where the street is lined with endless colorful flowers.

5 Tips For Travelling To Vietnam For Tet

Finally, here are some simple tips for spending the New Year in Vietnam:

1. Hotel Bookings

Each of the above destinations gets incredibly busy during the New Year in Vietnam, so make sure that you book hotels well in advance. Also, expect that prices will be higher during this period.

2. Reserving Transport

Tết is a time when locals are traveling all over the country to return home, so keep in mind that even the transport requires advance reservation.

3. Stores and Supplies

For the first three days of Tết, many stores are closed. With this in mind, remember to pick up shampoo and basic supplies in the days leading up to the celebrations.

4. General Security

Vietnam is generally a very safe place but Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are places where crowds and unsavory characters can go hand in hand. In other words, watch for pickpocketers and leave your valuables in the hotel whenever possible.

 5. Learn Some Vietnamese

It should go without saying that locals always appreciate when a visitor takes time to learn some of the language. However, this is especially true during Tết when you have the opportunity to greet locals in their own language.

Tết takes place on February 5^th in 2019 and if you want to travel to Vietnam for the celebrations, now would be a good time to get everything booked so that you don’t miss out on all the fun!

Suggested next reading: The Unbelievable Mud Cave In Vietnam You Have To See To Believe

The post Celebrating The New Year In Vietnam: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Modern Trekker.

But with so many options, how is it even possible to choose between them?

Well, let’s take a closer look at the 20 best places to celebrate New Year around the world:

1. Singapore

Few destinations are moving so fast as Singapore and for an equally exciting New Years, most visitors head straight for the Singapore Countdown at Marina Bay.

After all, it is also here that you will find excellent street food and endless live performances from some of the most famous entertainers on the island.

 2. Bali, Indonesia

If you want something a little more laid back, Bali is a year-round hotspot with near-perfect weather, pristine beaches and excellent resorts.

It’s true that beaches are not for everyone but the truth is, the friendly locals and sense of culture in Bali can make this an especially interesting choice of places to celebrate New Year.

3. Cape Town, South Africa

Located at the very southern tip of the African continent, Cape Town is best known for Table Mountain, Great White Shark Dives and Robben Island—the unfortunate home of Nelson Mandela!

However, aside from the fantastic things to do, Cape Town is also blessed with a vibrant nightlife with bars on Long Street being especially popular. On the other hand, there is also a spectacular firework display at the V & A Waterfront just before midnight.

4. Paris, France

It’s true that Paris is the “City of Love” but with the Eiffel Tower providing a backdrop to fireworks over the River Seine, this is one of the best places to celebrate New Year for absolutely anyone!

Afterward, visitors tend to crowd onto the Champs-Elysees for an immense street party!

5. New York, USA

For many people, New York can feel like the “center of the world” and with so much snow and excitement, this is widely considered the ultimate Christmas destination.

That being said, this atmosphere continues in the run-up to December 31^st when the streets and bars of Manhattan light up like nowhere else in the world. With this in mind, New York is an obvious choice in terms of the best places to celebrate New Year.

6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio is not only one of the most picturesque cities in the world but also one of the most colorful places to celebrate New Year. In fact, the city is home to one of the biggest firework displays in the world and when it comes to carnival, nobody can party like the locals.

What’s more, the pristine beaches of Rio also make this an ideal place to spend a few days over the New Year period.

7. Dublin, Ireland

Aside from the green rolling landscapes and historical nature of Ireland, the live music and traditional bars make Dublin stand out among the places to celebrate New Year in Europe.

Although the “Temple Bar” area is hugely popular with tourists, you should find that many of the best local bars are situated near Grafton Street and Lower Baggot Street.

That being said, there are also many attractions to explore by day and various day trips to iconic places including Glendalough and the Cliffs of Moher.

8. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of those places that can feel like a world of its’ own. However, on New Years, locals pay homage to Times Square in New York by dropping a replica ball at the Times Square Shopping Centre.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is possibly the most dramatic city skyline to ever act as a backdrop for a firework display.

Why not even consider going on a harbor cruise to welcome in the New Year in Hong Kong?

9. London, England

London is best known as one of the financial capitals of the world but in truth, the people, interesting restaurants and attractions make this one of the most exciting cities to explore.

In fact, there are so many things to do in London that it’s often a case of choosing what to skip rather than picking out what you want to see.

Anyway, London really comes alive on New Years with firework displays all over the city and millions of revelers hitting the streets to celebrate in the fantastic range of bars and clubs.

10. Barcelona, Spain

Spain is a hugely popular tourist destination for Europeans for good reason with excellent weather, fine food and reasonably cheap accommodation throughout. While Barcelona may not be as “affordable” as elsewhere, the buzzing nightlife more than makes up for it.

In fact, the bars in Barcelona are widely considered as the most exciting anywhere in Europe. Needless to say, the city is also home to several iconic landmarks including the ancient Gothic Quarter and the infamous Sagrada Familia.

11. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Situated in the very north of Thailand, Chiang Mai is a complete contrast to Bangkok. In other words, unlike the capital, Chiang Mai is much quieter and much more enjoyable in terms of places to celebrate New Year.

Interestingly, most bars in Chiang Mai are required to close down at midnight but an exception is made for the final day of the year. As if that’s not enough, Chiang Mai turns into an epic light show on New Years with thousands of visitors and locals sending a swarm of lanterns up into the night sky.

12. Beijing, China

As you know, the Great Wall of China is located close to Beijing and offers the perfect distraction during a visit to the city. On the other hand, the firework displays in Beijing are also unlike anything you have ever seen.

Now, this should not be surprising, for the Chinese are known as one of the main distributors of firework and on New Year’s Eve, it certainly shows!

13. Athens, Greece

Among the best places to celebrate New Year, Athens is one of the most interesting. You see, children often take to the streets of Athens to sing New Year carols and in the run-up to midnight, locals turn out all the lights so that they can see the New Year with new eyes.

After this fascinating experience, you also have a bustling nightlife to uncover and a long lineup of ancient attractions to explore the next morning!

14. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh with its magnificent castle and hidden bars is a sure bet to be one of the best places to celebrate New Year.

This energetic city always lives up to expectations and this is largely due to the friendly and fun locals who are always quick to welcome visitors into their own celebrations.

15. Hoi An, Vietnam

Located midway through Vietnam and just a short skip north of Da Nang, Hoi An is the most famous town in the country. Featuring a myriad of winding streets with food vendors, café’s, colorful houses and interesting restaurants, this is town also a truly spectacular sight that never fails to leave a memorable impression.

As for New Years, visitors usually find that the mellow vibe, friendly locals and small-town feel of Hoi An help create a wonderful ambiance and one of the best places to celebrate New Year.

16. Manila, Philippines

Round shapes are a symbol or prosperity in the Philippines and for this reason, locals stick to eating round fruits and carrying a collection of round coins in their pockets.

Aside from this tradition, they also wear polka dot clothing for the final day of the year which makes this an especially interesting choice of places to celebrate New Year.

17. Zanzibar, Tanzania

In spite of the remoteness of Zanzibar, the island is very easy to reach and complimented with endless resorts. At the same time, this is also a place where the old world meets the new, as ancient Stone Town is just a few hours drive away from the white powdered sands in the north of the island.

As a result, visitors get a taste of everything and when it comes to events, Kendwa Beach in the north is home to a full moon party which is the number one place for locals to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

18. San Francisco, United States

There is something very unique and timeless about San Francisco in the United States. However, this city is also a boiling pot of cultures which largely consists of an immigrant population.

As you can imagine, this has made San Fran one of the more dynamic and interesting places to celebrate New Year. In fact, there are many special performances put on for New Years and the Embarcadero is the place to be at midnight, where an immense firework display lights up the skies.

19. Sydney, Australia

Think about it; standing next to Sydney Opera House with fireworks and friends. Although nearby Melbourne has particularly interesting nightlife, Sydney is the place to be as far as places to celebrate New Year is concerned.

Needless to say, there is also an excellent nightlife here and enough shopping, restaurant and atmosphere to make it worth the trip.

As for the highlight? What better way to ring in the New Year than to head for Bondi Beach the next morning?

20. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Let’s be honest, the following day is often the best thing about New Years. In other words, when you visit Siem Reap, you can rise early and spend the first day of the year at the majestic Angkor Wat Temples.

That being said, you will also find “Pub Street” at the center of Siem Reap which is one of the most vibrant places for a night out in all of Southeast Asia!

As you can see, there are so many places to celebrate New Year and possibly not enough years in our lifetime to explore them all. At the same time, we all need to start somewhere and the above destinations are great shouts for the best places to ring in the New Year!

Suggested next reading: 10 Great & Cheap Places To Visit For People Who Love Winter

The post 20 Best Places To Celebrate New Year Around The World appeared first on Modern Trekker.