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

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It’s called Hang Toi, or Dark Cave—and rightly so. With no artificial lights inside, it is simply six kilometers of pitch blackness. Instead of the usual limestone, it’s made mostly of basalt, a black volcanic rock, furthering the dark interior. First discovered in 1990, it’s the most popular tourist spot in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The area has hundreds of cave systems, but this is one you won’t want to miss. (Only if you’re up for an adventure, that is.)

Once you’ve paid the 450,000 VND entrance fee (about 20 USD), you get geared up. Personal items go into a locker, and the key is strapped to your arm. Wearing minimal clothes—you’re about to get muddy!—you climb a set of stairs to the top of a tower, where a park employee helps you into a harness and a hard hat.

Oh yes, this is more than just a visit to a cave.

A 400-meter zip line—the longest in Vietnam—deposits you just outside the cave entrance. The stunning blue-green water of the Chay River welcomes you in as you make the short swim to the opposite bank. Adrenaline pumps and eyes adjust as you enter the cool darkness.

Headlamps get switched on as a tour guide leads the group in, slowly and cautiously. With no artificial lights inside like most local caves, Dark Cave requires careful steps and a critical awareness. After a while, a large landing appears and the group takes a break to learn about the history of the cave. (While those with waterproof cameras or GoPros inevitably take selfies.)

Deeper and deeper the group descends. The darkness feels thick and impenetrable, and yet the lights from each person’s hard hats pave the way. The hard, dusty ground grows softer and softer the further in you go until the feeling of mud beneath your feet becomes impossible to ignore. The clay walls once solid and firm beneath grasping hands become slimy and gooey, and finally, you’ve arrived at the mud pit.

And this isn’t ordinary mud. This mud is buoyant.

What looks like melting chocolate ice cream is actually the consistency of a thick, creamy milkshake, and you cannot sink. Try as you might, you’ll hardly be able to put your feet down at the bottom, and everywhere you look people will be flopping down on the backs, only to appear to land in a jiggly, dark Jell-O. Even sitting down hard will make you feel as if you’ve landed on an invisible beanbag beneath the mud’s surface. Laughs and incredulous gasps will ring out as everyone becomes covered in a thick, sloppy mess, communally. It’s quite literally an underground mud bath, and your skin will thank you.

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Pro tip: don’t wear anything light-colored, as it will inevitably be stained forever. And if you don’t want your bathing suit to smell forever, make sure to wash it straight after!

Finally, the tour guide convinces everyone to part ways with the mud, and the group jumps into the pitch black river that snakes its way through the cave, trying to rinse the far-reaching mud. The guide tells everyone to turn off their headlamps, and with a mix of hesitation and excitement everyone obeys, and suddenly you’re swimming through a river in a cave in total darkness. The group begrudgingly leaves the water and heads back towards the entrance, this time along a different route. What was once a straightforward walk through the cave becomes an obstacle course not for the weak of heart.

With the guide nonchalantly heading up the group, you’re led through passageways that become narrower and narrower, until finally, you come to caverns so small they require an army crawl flat on your belly. (This is when those hard hats come in handy!) Deep breaths and closed eyes get the most hesitant explorers through, and seeing the faint light from the cave entrance ahead invites a sigh of relief.

Finally, the group makes it back out and marvels at the wonder they’ve just experienced. Eyes must adjust once again, the sunlight feeling blinding. Shouts ring out as the next group begins to arrive via zip line, everyone chatty and excited about what’s to come.

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The tour guide then shuttles everyone into kayaks, two to a boat, and the short distance back to the start is covered quickly. The adventure doesn’t end here though—Dark Cave is known not only for its cave but its water adventure sports as well. Another zipline looms over the sparkling water, this time with the option of releasing yourself into the river. Swing until the line stops, let go, and let the cool, crisp water wash over you. After trekking, crawling and shimmying through a cave full of mud, it’s impossible to decline. Groups do it over and over again until they’re finally spent, and head to the on-site restaurant to recover with some snacks and cold drinks.

The camaraderie that’s felt while experiencing Dark Cave makes it more than just a Vietnamese adventure. Southeast Asia has thousands of caves, and yet this one is special—visitors are literally underground in the middle of a jungle, covered in a thick brown mud, enveloped in pitch black air, amidst pitch black rocks. Everyone has to stick together, going at the same pace, and when the most claustrophobic of the bunch wants to turn back rather than crawl through an impossibly-small crevice, the group stops to urge them on. (Once you’ve laughed through an underground mud bath with strangers at the end of a cave in Vietnam, can you really be considered strangers anymore?)

You’ll see endless YouTube videos from adventurers that seem more like a creepy horror film than travel vlog, and once you’ve been through Dark Cave, you’ll understand why.

This is one cave you have to see to believe.

Suggested next reading: Hiking Into The Clouds With The Hill Tribes Of Northern Vietnam

The post The Unbelievable Mud Cave In Vietnam You Have To See To Believe appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Then I discovered Vietnam.

The little I knew of the country was tinged with my even-lesser knowledge of the Vietnam War, envisioning war-torn cities and landmines at every step. Once I started doing some research, I learned how very mistaken I was about the rich history and culture of Vietnam.

What clinched my decision to choose Vietnam was when I stumbled upon a travel article about Sa Pa, the quiet mountain town near the Chinese border famous for its lush green rice terraces and mind-blowing trekking opportunities. I soaked up image after image of rolling emerald hills, beautiful tribespeople, misty mountaintops—and a few months later, found myself with a crowd of tourists spilling out of a night bus in that very mountain town.

I had landed in Hanoi for my teaching job a week earlier and before it began, I started exploring earnestly. With a few new friends I met on a hostel walking tour, I took an overnight bus from Hanoi, which seemed fine until we got to our last leg, the steepest part of the drive. A thunderstorm raged outside, and while it seemed that all of the other people on the bus were somehow sleeping soundly and oblivious to our surroundings, I was wide awake. Lightning temporarily lit up the landscape outside my dark window, illuminating craggy summits and muddy hillsides. The bus wound its way higher and higher, climbing a series of switchbacks that had me fearing for my life. Between the sheets of rain, the blindingly bright lightning, and the incredibly foreign landscape, I felt as if I must still be asleep. 4AM finally arrived, and we piled out.

After a breakfast of instant coffee and fried noodles at a nearby restaurant that must have been accustomed to serving half-asleep tourists fresh off the night bus, we assembled at the hotel to meet with our guide. I looked out bleary-eyed over the mountains shrouded in early-morning fog and, for the first time since arriving in Vietnam, took a deep breath of fresh, clean air. It was a chilly Monday morning, and I was acutely aware of the fact that this was not my daily office scene.

Quickly, we were surrounded by local women in colorful head scarves and wraps, carrying their wares in woven baskets strapped to their backs, asking us questions like where we came from and how old we were. (Almost always followed with a “So young!” no matter what age we told them.) We soon realized they’d be hiking with us, accompanying us and offering their help, asking us to buy souvenirs from them at the end of our trip in return.

I couldn’t help but notice how wet and muddy everything around us was, on account of the night’s epic thunderstorm and it being rainy season in general. We’d travel for two days on vertical inclines and declines while mucking about in…sludge? We’d climb these mountains that looked like literal mudslides?

Oh yes. Yes, we would.

Our trek began in Sa Pa’s downtown and seemed easy enough at first. We slid our way down a series of hills and when they finally leveled out, it seemed like we were in another world. In the valley, the sun was shining and the verdant fields were glistening. Everything was coming to life: water buffalo grazed, birds sang, children’s calls rang out. I wanted to just sit and take it all in, but we continued on.

Eventually the trek would become more difficult. After a few hours, layers of clothing had been peeled off and we were covered in mud. At every decline, one or two of us would inevitably slip and fall flat on our bottoms, which we initially found funny before it started to feel actually painful. We wore sneakers and hiking gear and made sure we carried enough water—meanwhile, the women guiding us were wearing traditional dresses and plastic sandals, their breathing hardly labored. I stared at them incredulously while we stopped for a drink in the shade.

I’d later learn that these women did this every single day. They met tour groups in Sa Pa and then trekked with them for the whole day, showcasing their products when we stopped at the end of the day for dinner in a remote village. Often, a woman would offer help to one or two tourists specifically, and then target them for sales using their unwavering support as evidence that they deserve the business. Shopping in Vietnam can be quite a pushy business, and this was no exception. If you wanted to eat in peace, you’d better buy something. I came away with a few bracelets and the thought that the income from a few measly trinkets (however beautifully made) could not possibly be worth an entire day’s work.

As it turns out, it can. While we would continue on, the women would turn around and go straight back the way we came, along the steep path that had my knees aching and lungs feeling like they were giving out. And then they’d do it all over again the next day. Unbelievable.

Our group continued on again after our meal, heading towards the tiny remote village where we’d sleep for the night. I dreamed of finally lying down, not asking how much further we had to go out of fear that it’d be longer than I expected. I was admittedly very out of shape, and I was ready to be done hiking and arrive at our homestay.

I’d read amazing things about homestays in Sa Pa, warm families inviting you in and sitting around the table with you over homemade rice wine (that tastes like rubbing alcohol) and broken conversation bridging cultural divides. It sounded like an incredible exchange and the opportunity of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, my experience didn’t quite go like this.

Our group was about 13 people, already large, and the arrival of a second group needing a last-minute place to stay had put our host family over capacity. They seemed understandably upset about this influx of visitors, and once they showed us where to sleep and put out a very small dinner for us, they sequestered themselves away and didn’t see us till morning. We sat by ourselves squished around an outdoor table with a couple fluorescent lanterns, swatting away mosquitoes and spraying insect repellant religiously. There was no cultural exchange and no attempting to understand each other’s languages (tribal languages are spoken in the villages, so even those of us with a basic understanding of Vietnamese would be lost).

This led me to question the very idea of a homestay in a remote village with the hill tribes of Vietnam. I wondered how much this family was paid, if they were paid more for this extra group of tourists, if it was enough to cover their costs, if they did it out of necessity or a genuine interest. (I assumed it was the former.) Did any homestay families host foreigners out of sheer desire? Or was it purely economical? I suddenly felt acutely aware of my privilege and uncomfortably imposing.

We slept in the loft above the family’s home, shoulder-to-shoulder on bed mats that my very sore muscles did not appreciate. We woke to a meager breakfast of thin banana pancakes and after a quick hello to some neighborhood children, we set off again.

In the early morning light, the mountains before us looked ethereal and other-worldly. Soon enough we were traipsing up and down them, across valleys and waterfalls, past children playing on the side of the road and litters of piglets playing in streams. We were deep in the Vietnamese countryside now, and I don’t think any of us could stop smiling. The landscape felt removed and untouched as if you could exist there without the strife of world wars, heartbreak and cringe-worthy politics. It felt like a magical realm where nothing existed but fresh air and sunshine and smiling babies. By the time we reached our endpoint, I was glad to be done trekking but devastated to be heading back to the busy-ness and chaos of the city.

We had pho for lunch at a little roadside cafe before being picked up and taken back to the town. I marveled at the speed of the van, taking us back along dirt roads built into the mountainside, a one hour drive covering the distance of a two-day trek. Entering downtown Sa Pa again felt like popping the bubble, and I immediately mourned for the misty mountains and quiet green countryside we’d left behind.

Sa Pa will always occupy a corner of my heart, and will forever be the mystical place that lured me into the hill tribes of Vietnam — a trip to this Southeast Asian country would not be complete without it.

The mountains are waiting for you.

Suggested next reading: Going To Vietnam? Don’t Miss This Essential Travel Hack

The post Hiking Into The Clouds With The Hill Tribes Of Northern Vietnam appeared first on Modern Trekker.

If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to backpack Vietnam, you will find no better convenience than purchasing the Vietnam open bus ticket. This allows you to start your adventure either up north in Hanoi or down south in Saigon. From either of those starting points, you can travel across the country stopping at various cities on your own schedule. Vietnam by bus is easily accessible and allows you to experience the diversity of the ancient Chinese influence mixed with French colonialism.

What Is The Vietnam Open Bus Ticket?

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The Vietnam open bus ticket is a single ticket that allows you to hop on and hop off in certain cities. You can choose from a slew of open bus ticket packages that range from about $35 – $50 with the cheaper options offering fewer stops. The advantage of a great price with a flexible itinerary is worth it. Even if you feel that you want to ditch the other tourists on your multi-city trek across Vietnam, rent a motorbike (more on doing that here) or smaller bus from one of the set destinations and head elsewhere for a few days before you hop back on to your Vietnam open bus ticket transportation. The open bus ticket typically allows you to travel for up to a month at your leisure. All you need to do is call a day or two in advance when you are ready to head on over to the next town on your adventure.

It’s best to purchase the Vietnam open bus ticket upon arrival in either Hanoi or Saigon. You can visit any tourist center and inquire about the Vietnam open bus ticket.

8 Common Vietnam Open Bus Ticket Destinations:

1. Saigon is where you can experience a metropolis of 8.5 million people weaving their motorbikes through the city. Saigon is worth seeing for the War Remnants Museum, the delicious pho, and some of Asia’s best craft beer. It’s a city with a diverse twist of traditional Vietnam culture with touches of the outside world pouring in and bringing in a global feel. The hectic buzzing and busyness make people watching an event. There are loads of parks throughout the city to enjoy. Saigon is an accessible starting point to explore the Mekong River Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, and the southern islands.

Saigon also hosts lots of amazing and cheap street food. Check out this video for 10 street foods under $1 in Saigon:

2. Dalat is a must for those who love smaller mountain towns and outdoor adventure. One of the most popular attractions in Dalat is canyoning. You can sign up for a full day tour of rappelling off cliffs, sliding down streams, and swimming in the river. Dalat is also a perfect place to rent a motorbike or bicycle and get lost in the countryside while searching for really good coffee. The town is quite small which makes it easily walkable and a bit more relaxed for those who want something a bit more low key.

3. Muine has grown to be loaded with beach resorts. But don’t let that turn you off quite yet. You can hop into a guesthouse or hostel just on the other side of the beach for a much cheaper price and not be trapped into the resort life. However, if you want to have a fancy night or two, Muine is a good spot for that. Even during the day, you can relax on the beach, pay entry for a pool or table at a resort, or visit the famous sand dunes.

4. Nha Trang is another great beach town but with more of a lively city feel rather than just resort-speckled beaches. You can soak in the famous mud baths and island hop in your free time. Spend days relaxing in the sun before enjoying nights out in the city. Nha Trang is another stopover worth spending a few days.

5. Hoi An has stunning beaches right outside of the city center. The old town has a nice riverfront and is easily walkable. The night markets are bright and lively and you’ll be tempted to snag some of Hoi An’s pretty lanterns. You may get a bit overwhelmed by the mass amounts of tailor clothing shops, but it’s worth getting some new custom-made outfits while in Hoi An. While not busy finding your measurements or lounging on the beach, grab some cao lao near the river in town. You can also rent bikes to make it easy to explore the entire city or do a day trip up to Da Nang.

6. Da Nang is just a quick motorbike ride north from Hoi An and another stop on the Vietnam open bus ticket trek. It’s worth heading to the iconic Lady Buddha that watches over the country’s third largest city from her hill. Da Nang is not a prime hot spot for tourism so you can get away from some of the regular backpackers for a bit. If you head here, make sure to check out the Marble Mountains just outside of the city with their stunning views between the caves and temples. If you are looking to head somewhere away from the shops of Hoi An, this is a great getaway. Of course, both are worth seeing, and it’s easy to go back and forth between them.

7. Hue is worth seeing for the history. Hue was the capital for almost 150 years up until 1945. As being fairly centrally located on the strip of Vietnam, you can see where different parts of Vietnam have come together. You can roam around the forbidden purple city visiting various ruins and old pagodas. Some people bypass Hue, but it’s definitely worth a couple of days to see a side of Vietnam that’s not as well known to travelers.

8. Hanoi is lively, but only until about 10pm. Life shuts down early but the days and sites make it worth it. Walk through the Old Quarter, sing karaoke, and eat BBQ on the streets. The architecture mixed with the French influence is perfect for photographers. You can buy many famous brand name items at a fraction of the cost. Go and sip a cup of weasel coffee, but check the cafes that are “real” as you may see them all over the place. If you have some time, from Hanoi you can access buses to the mountains of Sapa where you can trek through the rice paddies or grab a boat to Halong Bay.

The open bus ticket is great for those who want to see loads of Vietnam—big towns, small towns, beach towns, mountain towns, French history, war history, regional food, and good beer. You can get bits and pieces of the entire country with the Vietnam open bus ticket. Best of all, it’s affordable and convenient! The buses typically get you to a part of the city where you can easily find accommodation and grab lunch nearby. The buses are safe and comfortable. However, remember that you are not bound to the itinerary listed above. From each destination you can hop on other buses to head away from the tourist crowds. You will not regret seeing the country with the help of the Vietnam open bus ticket.

Suggested next reading: How To Go Rogue And See Southeast Asia By Motorbike

The post Going To Vietnam? Don’t Miss This Essential Travel Hack appeared first on Modern Trekker.