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Ten experiences can be booked in Hanoi during Tết 2027, from February 4 to 10, with instant confirmation. They cost from €14.17 to €211.64 per adult (based on 2 people), with time slots on all seven days of the window. To start, I would pick the Quảng Phú Cầu incense village, the cheapest option in the selection.
Verified on against the Viator partner API (prices, ratings, availability).
On February 6, 2027, Hanoi enters Tết, the Lunar New Year, and the city changes pace for a full week. The Vietnamese government has set the holiday from February 4 to 10, seven consecutive days: families gather, most administrations close, and some workshops and small restaurants pull down their shutters. For a traveler, the question is not only « what is there to do? » but « what is really open, and at what price? »
This selection answers that question. I kept ten experiences you can book for the holiday window, all with instant confirmation, with prices checked for two adults on October 25, 2026. I do not present them as festival products: none is sold under the name Tết. They are excursions and workshops you can do during the week, and for each one I state what still needs confirming. To start, the Quảng Phú Cầu incense village is the most affordable entry point on the list.
Why Tết 2027 changes your stay in Hanoi
Tết falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027, the first day of the lunar year, according to Wikipedia. The night before, Friday, February 5, is New Year’s Eve, Giao thừa. The three days that follow, called mùng 1 to 3, that is February 6 to 8, are for family visits. In practice the festival lasts a full week, because the government has set seven consecutive days off.
Document 10065/VPCP-KGVX of the Government Office, approved by Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà, sets the Tết 2027 holiday from February 4 to 10, seven consecutive days. VietnamNews reported it on October 2, 2026, and VietnamNet published an article with an almost identical title. For the traveler, this calendar has two consequences. Large hotels keep running, and tours from mid-sized operators still operate. But the holiday is lived in the family, so the streets of the Old Quarter, the markets and the small workshops follow a rhythm different from an ordinary day.
The northern customs, as Wikipedia describes them, set the tone: a blossoming peach tree in the home, bánh chưng prepared by families, offerings to ancestors, and fireworks over Hanoi. Bánh chưng is a tradition you will see mostly in homes and at markets. It is not a product to book, so it does not appear in this selection. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism also published a public program for the festival: the 2026 edition, from February 1 to 25, 2026, offered exhibitions and reconstructions of royal rituals at the Thăng Long Heritage Conservation Centre (Trung tâm bảo tồn di sản Thăng Long). No 2027 program is announced in the sources consulted.
This page is not a closure calendar. Closing dates for public sites are not published at the time of this check, and each site’s official announcement usually comes in January. Check the official notice before you leave for the details on museums and mausoleums.
The 10 experiences compared
| Experience | Duration | Price per adult (based on 2) | Rating (combined reviews) | Free cancellation | Days available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Incense village, Hát village and Hanoi | 5 h | €14.17 | 4.95 (1,718 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 2. Ninh Bình as a private day trip | 10 to 12 h | €62.67 | 4.99 (230 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 3. Ninh Bình over two days, with a night on site | 2 days (48 h) | €189.84 | 4.96 (225 reviews) | No | 7 out of 7 |
| 4. Knife forge in Đa Sỹ | 2 h 30 | €40.72 | 4.99 (468 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 5. Vintage jeep in the Old Quarter and Train Street | 4 h | €22.38 | 4.98 (781 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 6. Street food in the Old Quarter | 3 h | €14.53 | 4.95 (2,833 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 7. Private half-day tour, Train Street included | 4 to 5 h | €39.97 | 4.77 (350 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 8. Sapa over two days, night in Ta Văn village | 2 days (48 h) | €53.59 to €71.76 | 4.91 (2,842 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 9. One-night cruise in Ha Long Bay | 2 days (48 h) per the listing, one night on board | €112.63 | 4.81 (2,484 reviews) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
| 10. Ha Giang Loop, three days and two nights | 3 days (72 h) | €211.64 | 5.00 (172 TripAdvisor reviews, no Viator rating) | Yes | 7 out of 7 |
Prices and availability checked on the Viator partner API on October 25, 2026 for February 4 to 10, 2027; they may change. Ratings combine Viator and TripAdvisor reviews, except line 10, which relies only on TripAdvisor reviews.
The 10 experiences to book during Tết 2027 in Hanoi
1. Incense village, Hát village and Hanoi
Quảng Phú Cầu is a village where incense is made by hand. This half-day links that village with Hát village, then with Hanoi’s monuments, in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided. I put it first: it runs on February 6, the first day of the festival, and an artisan visit that day still needs confirming with the provider. It is also the cheapest option on the list, with free cancellation. The meeting point is not fixed: hotel pickup is possible, and the exact location is confirmed at booking. Do not come looking for a ceremony. The visit focuses on craftsmanship and monuments, which is what makes it easy to fit into a week off.
- Hand-made incense production in Quảng Phú Cầu
- Hát village and Hanoi’s monuments on the same day
- Air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water
2. Ninh Bình as a private day trip
Ninh Bình is a day trip from Hanoi, about two hours by road. Traffic on the road can be heavier during the holiday, so plan for it. What changes with a private day is the organization: the vehicle is for you alone, you set the departure time and the order of stops, and no one else joins the group. During the holiday, that freedom matters, because you can leave early and spend more time at one site than another. The day is long, 10 to 12 hours, and you need to accept that. The program adapts to your interests and pace. Opening hours of the sites for mùng 1 to 3 were not checked at the time of the check: ask the provider before locking in your date. To compare with a group or train trip, our guide to the best way to visit Ninh Bình from Hanoi covers the options.
- Private day, no other travelers in the group
- Itinerary adapted to your interests and pace
- Free cancellation per the listing
3. Ninh Bình over two days, with a night on site
This format suits you if you want to sleep in the region rather than return to Hanoi each evening. Two days, one night on site, breakfast and dinner included: the program combines Tam Cốc, Hoa Lư and Mua Cave, according to the product description. It is the second most expensive option on the list, after the Ha Giang loop, and it is the only one without free cancellation, according to the listing: check that condition before you pay. I therefore suggest it only to those who have already fixed their dates. The meeting point is the Hanoi Opera House, or a pickup in the Old Quarter. The small group leaves more room for conversation with the guide. If you are torn between a night in Ninh Bình and a single day, read the full listing before paying.
- Two days, one night on site
- Breakfast and dinner included
- Pickup possible in the Old Quarter
4. Knife forge in Đa Sỹ
Đa Sỹ is a forging village with an old tradition, and this is the most hands-on experience on the list. You spend two and a half hours at the workshop making a knife. The provider describes the workshop head as the only craftswoman officially recognized in the village: I could not verify that claim, so I report it as the provider’s information. The meeting point is a workshop, not a hotel, so plan the trip to the village and the time it takes within your day. For anyone who likes to watch hands at work, it is a good way to spend a morning during the Tết week. The price is €40.72 per adult for two, with free cancellation. You do not watch a demonstration: you forge the blade yourself.
- Making a knife in 2 h 30
- Đa Sỹ forging village
- Meeting at the workshop, in Đa Sỹ
5. Vintage jeep in the Old Quarter and Train Street
A vintage jeep is the most direct way to see the city without chaining walks together, and this tour works for a full morning or afternoon. Pickup is at your hotel in the Old Quarter. The program includes Train Street, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Imperial Citadel, according to the listing. Train Street is the caveat of this selection. The train’s passage depends on the timing, and access to the track has varied since early 2026, according to a travel blog consulted for this selection. Treat the tour as a stop to hope for, not one you can count on. If the train does not pass, the rest of the route still holds. Meals are included depending on the departure time, with a Vietnamese lunch or dinner, plus coffee or tea. At €22.38 per adult for two, it is one of the most affordable options on the list, with free cancellation.
- Pickup at your hotel in the Old Quarter
- Train Street, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Imperial Citadel on the program
- Vietnamese lunch or dinner included depending on the time, coffee or tea
6. Street food in the Old Quarter
With 2,833 reviews and a 4.95 rating, this is one of the most-reviewed products on the list. Three hours on foot with a food guide, in a small group, through the Old Quarter, with street food tastings along the route. It is the most direct way to eat the way Hanoi people eat, without going into a kitchen or booking a table. The meeting point is Bát Sứ Street, in the Hàng Bồ district. The price is €14.53 per adult for two, with free cancellation. If you would rather cook, our Hanoi cooking class covers that ground differently, with techniques you can repeat at home.
- Street food tastings over three hours
- Food guide, small group
- Walking route through the Old Quarter
7. Private half-day tour, Train Street included
This is the private version of the city tour: a half-day with no other travelers, Train Street on the program and Hanoi’s highlights. The meeting point is near the Hanoi Hilton hotel, and pickup is possible. At €39.97 per adult for two, the price stays reasonable for a private tour. Its rating, 4.77 across 350 reviews, is the lowest on the list: it clears the quality threshold used here (4.7), but it is not among the most praised. The choice depends on the order of your visits. If you want to keep a morning for a pagoda, the private format lets you set the timing. Train Street still depends on the train passing that day: treat it as a stop to hope for, not one that is guaranteed. Cancellation is free according to the listing.
- Private visit, no other travelers
- Train Street included, depending on the train
- Duration of 4 to 5 hours
8. Sapa over two days, night in Ta Văn village
Sapa is a two-day format with one night in a bungalow in Ta Văn village, among rice terraces and mountain villages. The program includes a hike to sites in the area. Departure from Hanoi is set at 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on the schedule. Dinner and breakfast are included, with an air-conditioned vehicle and Wi-Fi on board. The price ranges from €53.59 to €71.76 per adult for two, depending on the rate band checked on October 25: it is the only range on the list, the others being fixed on the check. With 2,842 reviews, it is also the most-reviewed product in the selection. This tour requires planning ahead, as I explain in the practical tips below.
- Night in a bungalow in Ta Văn village
- Dinner and breakfast included, air-conditioned vehicle
- Departure from Hanoi at 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. depending on the schedule
9. One-night cruise in Ha Long Bay
A 4-star cruise on Ha Long Bay, departing from Tuần Châu port or with pickup in Hanoi (Viator listing). Dinner and breakfast are included. The program lists activities on the water, such as kayaking, swimming, a hike and a cave visit, according to the activities in the listing. At €112.63 per adult for two, the cruise costs less than the two-day Ninh Bình tour, for a night on the water. During the holiday, it is a relaxing choice, provided you plan the trip to the port.
- 4-star cruise on Ha Long Bay
- Dinner and breakfast included
- Departure from Tuần Châu port, or pickup from Hanoi
10. Ha Giang Loop, three days and two nights
Hà Giang is the most distant trip on the list: several hours by road from Hanoi, then a three-day loop over Mã Pí Lèng pass and along the Nho Quế River. It is also the most expensive product, at €211.64 per adult for two. I keep it for the variety of its landscapes, not for its proximity. Its 5.00 rating rests on 172 TripAdvisor reviews: I therefore do not present it as a Viator rating, since the listing shows no Viator reviews at this stage. The listed departure point is the Cat Ba Express Office, to be confirmed with the provider. Leave a time buffer for the return trip to Hanoi, and check the cancellation terms when you book.
- Mã Pí Lèng pass and Nho Quế River
- Three-day, two-night loop
- Departure point to confirm: Cat Ba Express Office
Prepare your trip
Travel insurance covers the unexpected during your stay. Compare the coverage before you leave, especially if you string several day excursions together.
Check the ratesAn eSIM gives you data from the moment you land, useful for confirming a meeting point or a time on the day itself.
Get my eSIMCompare round trips for the holiday dates. Leaving on February 4 and returning on February 10 covers the whole week. Check your arrival time before booking an excursion on February 4.
See flightsPractical tips on site
Transport. Train and bus tickets to Sapa, Hà Giang and Ha Long Bay sell out fast during the Tết week. The agency Jungle Boss Tours recommends booking transport four to six weeks ahead; for a trip on February 4, that window runs from December 24 to January 7. Fairmoove also mentions a 30 to 50% rise in transport fares over the period, a figure I could not verify.
Closures. During mùng 1 to 3, February 6 to 8, some small operators and workshops may close without the platform saying so: confirm your slot before you leave.
Pagodas. Pagodas remain open and accessible, according to Jungle Boss Tours, a commercial source that the sites themselves do not confirm. On the morning of the first day, families come to burn the first incense of the year: arrive early if you want to move around without crowds.
New Year’s Eve. The same agency reports fireworks over Hoàn Kiếm Lake at midnight on the night of February 5 to 6, and a night flower market at Quảng Bá the evening before. These are points to check on site. The flower market is not in the selection, since no bookable experience covers it.
Budget. Prices in the selection are per adult, based on two people, in euros. Free spending on site, such as meals outside the excursions or shopping, is not included. The prices shown are those of the Viator check of October 25, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Are all ten experiences really open during Tết 2027?
On the platform, yes: at the October 25, 2026 check, all ten products show time slots on all seven days of the window, from February 4 to 10, 2027, and all ten confirm instantly. That check does not guarantee the slot you will choose, since a place can go between the check and your booking. Re-check the date when you book, and keep a margin in your schedule.
Which experience should I choose for a first visit to Hanoi during the holiday?
The simplest formats are the vintage jeep tour and the food walk through the Old Quarter. They fit into a half-day, cost €22.38 and €14.53 per adult for two, and suit someone discovering the city for the first time. If you want to see the countryside, the private day trip to Ninh Bình is the most direct choice.
How much should I budget for an excursion in Hanoi during Tết?
In this selection, a day or half-day costs €14.17 to €62.67 per adult for two, depending on the format. Two-day excursions go up to €189.84 with one night on site, the Ha Long Bay cruise is €112.63, and the Ha Giang loop reaches €211.64. These are the check prices and may change before February.
Can I cancel an excursion booked for Tết?
Most products in the selection show free cancellation. The only one without free cancellation, according to the listing, is the two-day small-group Ninh Bình excursion. Check the condition at payment, since it can change, and keep the confirmation for the provider.
Is Train Street accessible during Tết?
It can be, but nothing is guaranteed. Two excursions in the selection include it: the Old Quarter jeep tour and the private half-day tour. The train’s passage depends on the timing, and access to the track has varied since early 2026, according to a travel blog consulted for this selection. Ask the provider which slot they aim for before you book.
Should I still book early for Tết 2027?
Yes, especially for trips to Sapa, Hà Giang and Ha Long Bay. At the check date, more than fourteen weeks remain before the holiday, which leaves time to compare options. Deadlines and price rises are detailed in the practical tips, with the sources that report them.
Sources
- VietnamNews, « Holiday schedules for Vietnamese Culture Day, Lunar New Year, National Day approved »: decision on the Tết 2027 holiday, accessed October 25, 2026
- VietnamNet, « Holiday schedules for VN Culture Day, Lunar New Year, National Day approved »: article with an almost identical title, page not opened at the time of this check
- Wikipedia, « Tết »: date of the first day of the lunar year and customs, accessed October 25, 2026
- Shiphub, « Vietnam holidays 2027 »: date of the eve of Tết, accessed October 25, 2026
- Jungle Boss Tours, « Tet 2027 in Vietnam »: closures, pagodas, transport, midnight fireworks (commercial source, to be cross-checked), accessed October 25, 2026
- Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, « Lunar New Year 2026 activity series » (French page): public program of the festival in Hanoi, accessed October 25, 2026
- Fairmoove, « Nouvel an Vietnam : découvrir les célébrations authentiques du Têt » (French guide): rise in transport fares and accommodation booking lead time, search result not opened
- Travel blog, « Hanoi, Vietnam: 22 Things to See and Do in 2026 »: access to Train Street in 2026, accessed October 25, 2026
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