A Year of Celebrations
Vietnam's holiday calendar blends centuries-old lunar traditions with adopted Western celebrations. For anyone sending gifts to loved ones in Vietnam, knowing when to send is just as important as knowing what to send. Here is a comprehensive guide to the holidays that call for gifts — and what to give for each one.
Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) — January or February
Tet is the biggest holiday in Vietnam — by a wide margin. It marks the Lunar New Year and is the most important cultural, family, and gift-giving occasion of the year. The entire country essentially pauses for a week or more.
During Tet, families:
- Clean and decorate their homes to welcome the new year
- Settle debts and resolve disputes before the new year begins
- Visit relatives, starting with the eldest family members
- Prepare traditional foods and exchange gifts
What to give at Tet:
- Li xi (red envelopes with money): Given to children and elderly family members. The red envelope symbolizes luck and prosperity. Always use new, crisp bills.
- Mut (dried candied fruits): A classic Tet treat, often presented in decorative boxes.
- Premium tea sets: Tea is a traditional and respected gift, especially lotus tea.
- Rice wine or spirits: Cognac and whisky are popular Tet gifts.
- Banh chung (square sticky rice cakes): A deeply traditional Tet food, though more commonly homemade than gifted by outsiders.
- Fruit baskets: Premium and imported fruit carries prestige.
Tet demand is extreme — if you are sending gifts to Vietnam during Tet, order well in advance. Delivery services and florists are overwhelmed during this period.
International Women's Day — March 8
International Women's Day is a major celebration in Vietnam, much more so than in most Western countries. It is not just an awareness day — it is a gift-giving occasion. Women receive flowers, beauty products, fashion items, and heartfelt messages from partners, friends, and colleagues.
What to give: Flowers (especially roses), skincare sets, perfume, fashion accessories, or a curated gift hamper.
Vietnamese Women's Day — October 20
Yes, Vietnam celebrates women twice a year. October 20 is Vietnamese Women's Day (Ngay Phu Nu Viet Nam), and it is celebrated with the same enthusiasm as March 8. Expect the same types of gifts — flowers, beauty products, and personal items.
If you have a partner, mother, sister, or female friend in Vietnam, missing October 20 would be a noticeable oversight.
Teacher's Day — November 20
Teacher's Day (Ngay Nha Giao Viet Nam) is taken seriously in Vietnam. Students and their families honor teachers with gifts as a sign of gratitude and respect. Education is deeply valued in Vietnamese culture, and teachers hold a respected place in society.
What to give: Premium tea, specialty coffee, books, flowers, or gift baskets. Many families put real thought and effort into their Teacher's Day gifts.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) — September or October
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, typically in September or October. While it originated as a harvest celebration, in Vietnam it has become a family-oriented holiday focused on children. Children carry lanterns, families gather, and mooncakes are exchanged.
What to give:
- Mooncakes: The signature gift of Tet Trung Thu. Premium mooncake boxes from well-known bakeries are the standard corporate and family gift.
- Seasonal fruit: Pomelos and other autumn fruit are traditional.
- Lanterns: For children, decorative lanterns are a beloved part of the celebration.
Valentine's Day — February 14
Valentine's Day is an adopted Western holiday that has become very popular among young Vietnamese couples, especially in urban areas. Flower shops and restaurants are packed on February 14.
What to give: Red roses, chocolate, stuffed animals, or a romantic dinner. The gift expectations are similar to Western Valentine's Day traditions.
Mother's Day and Father's Day
Mother's Day (second Sunday of May) and Father's Day (third Sunday of June) are growing in popularity in Vietnam, particularly among younger generations and in cities. While these are not traditional Vietnamese holidays, they have been enthusiastically adopted.
What to give: Flowers for mothers, practical or luxury gifts for fathers. Health-related gifts (bird's nest, ginseng) are especially thoughtful for parents.
Death Anniversaries — Year-Round
While not a public holiday, death anniversaries are personal holidays that happen year-round in Vietnamese families. Every family has specific dates when they honor deceased relatives with food, incense, and gatherings. These are important occasions that warrant gifts when you are invited to attend. (See our full guide to gift giving in Vietnam for more on death anniversary etiquette.)
Planning Your Gift Calendar
If you have loved ones in Vietnam, here is a simplified annual gift calendar to keep in mind:
- January/February: Tet (the big one)
- February 14: Valentine's Day
- March 8: International Women's Day
- May: Mother's Day
- June: Father's Day
- September/October: Mid-Autumn Festival
- October 20: Vietnamese Women's Day
- November 20: Teacher's Day
- Plus: Birthdays and family death anniversaries
Mark these dates, plan ahead, and your loved ones in Vietnam will know they are always in your thoughts.