Grand Mercure Hanoi - Upscale hotels & resorts

Vietnam is a country of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a deeply rooted culture that comes alive through its spectacular festivals. From the explosion of color during Tết to the flickering lanterns of Hội An, each celebration tells a story of the Vietnamese spirit. Whether you are planning your first visit or returning to discover more, timing your stay with one of these festivals transforms a great trip into an unforgettable memory. At Grand Mercure Hanoi, we are perfectly placed to help you experience the very best of these traditions — book your stay with us and let the celebrations begin.

1. Tết Nguyên Đán – Lunar New Year

Late January or February | 1st day of the 1st lunar month

Tết is Vietnam’s most important and widely celebrated festival — the equivalent of Christmas, New Year, and a national homecoming all rolled into one. Streets across the country burst into color with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, and families reunite to share traditional dishes like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake) and thịt kho (braised pork). In Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm Lake becomes the backdrop for spectacular fireworks on Tết Eve, lighting up the night sky for thousands of spectators. The days that follow are filled with temple visits, lucky money envelopes (lì xì) for children, and a joyful, festive atmosphere unlike any other time of year.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Hanoi’s streets are at their most magical during Tết. Book our festive package and enjoy a curated New Year’s Eve dinner before stepping out to watch the fireworks over Hoan Kiem Lake — just a short walk from Grand Mercure Hanoi.

2. Lim Festival — Festival of Quan Họ Folk Songs

February | 12th–13th day of the 1st lunar month

Just an hour’s drive east of Hanoi in Bắc Ninh Province, the Lim Festival is a joyful spring celebration honoring the founder of the quan họ singing tradition. Quan họ is a form of antiphonal folk music in which groups of traditionally dressed men and women serenade one another — often from decorated boats on the lake. The haunting melodies, elegant costumes, and festive atmosphere make this one of the most charming cultural experiences in northern Vietnam. UNESCO recognized quan họ as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Hanoi’s streets are at their most magical during Tết. Book our festive package and enjoy a curated New Year’s Eve dinner before stepping out to watch the fireworks over Hoan Kiem Lake — just a short walk from Grand Mercure Hanoi.

3. Hùng Kings Temple Festival

April or May | 8th–11th day of the 3rd lunar month (10th day is a public holiday)

Celebrated at Đền Hùng (Hùng Temple) in Phú Thọ Province, this festival honors the legendary Hùng Kings — the founding fathers of the Vietnamese nation. On the eve of the festival, hundreds of lotus lanterns are released into the sky in a breathtaking display. Pilgrims from across Vietnam make the climb up Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain to pay their respects, and traditional processions, folk games, and ceremonial rituals fill the days. The 10th day of the 3rd lunar month is a national public holiday, reflecting the deep reverence the Vietnamese people hold for their origins.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Hanoi’s streets are at their most magical during Tết. Book our festive package and enjoy a curated New Year’s Eve dinner before stepping out to watch the fireworks over Hoan Kiem Lake — just a short walk from Grand Mercure Hanoi.

4. Huế Festival

Late April to early May (held biennially in even-numbered years)

The ancient imperial city of Huế transforms every two years into a grand open-air stage during its celebrated festival. Streets and citadels are illuminated at night, and performers bring to life the splendor of the Nguyễn dynasty through royal court music (nhã nhạc), elaborate costumes, and theatrical performances. The Huế Craft Village Festival runs alongside it, giving visitors a rare opportunity to watch master artisans at work — from conical hat weaving to traditional lacquerware. Nhã nhạc court music has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, adding global significance to this already extraordinary event.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: From Hanoi, Huế is easily reached by train or a short flight. Let our concierge arrange your journey so you can enjoy the imperial splendor and return refreshed to your room at Grand Mercure Hanoi.

5. Xến Xó Phốn — White Thai Rain Calling Festival

April to May | 4th lunar month

Nestled in the picturesque Mai Châu valley in Hòa Bình Province, the Xến Xó Phốn festival is one of Vietnam’s most authentic ethnic minority celebrations. Belonging to the White Thai people, this ritual festival calls upon the rain gods for a bountiful harvest through a series of songs, offerings, and communal ceremonies. Local legend holds that the more elaborate the festival, the heavier the rains — and the more prosperous the harvest. Witnessing this festival is a rare and deeply moving encounter with Vietnam’s rich tapestry of ethnic cultures.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Mai Châu is a stunning 3-hour drive from Hanoi through scenic mountain passes. Ask our team about weekend escapes that pair a Mai Châu overnight with a return journey via Mộc Châu for even more of northern Vietnam’s countryside.

6. Wandering Souls Day (Lễ Vu Lan / Ghost Festival)

August or September | 15th day of the 7th lunar month

One of Vietnam’s most spiritually significant days, Vu Lan (also known as Wandering Souls Day or the Ghost Festival) is rooted in Buddhist tradition and is observed throughout the country with great reverence. Families visit the graves of ancestors to offer prayers, flowers, and fruit, and burn paper money and clothing so that departed spirits may use them in the afterlife. Pagodas and temples are filled with incense and candlelight, and monks perform ceremonies for those without descendants to pray for them. In Hue, the pagodas along the Perfume River are particularly atmospheric during this time.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Hanoi’s Trấn Quốc Pagoda — one of the oldest in Vietnam — holds moving ceremonies on Vu Lan. A candlelit evening visit is a profound cultural experience we highly recommend.

7. Independence Day

September 2 (National Public Holiday)

On September 2, 1945, President Hồ Chí Minh stood in Hanoi’s Ba Đình Square and declared the independence of Vietnam — a defining moment in the nation’s history. Every year, this date is marked with patriotic parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and spectacular fireworks displays in major cities. Hanoi, as the capital, is the epicenter of the celebrations, with Ba Đình Square transformed into a sea of red and gold. Streets are draped with flags and banners, and a festive, proud atmosphere fills the city from morning until well into the night.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Grand Mercure Hanoi is ideally located for guests wishing to experience Independence Day in the capital. Our rooftop and public areas offer superb vantage points for the evening fireworks display.

8. Mid-Autumn Festival 

September or October | 15th day of the 8th lunar month

Tết Trung Thu is the most enchanting festival for children in Vietnam, celebrated under the light of the full harvest moon. Neighborhoods overflow with colorful paper lanterns, lion dance troupes weave through the crowds, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked mooncakes fills every bakery. Families gather in courtyards and parks to gaze at the moon and share stories. The festival is celebrated across the country, but nowhere more magically than in Hội An’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, where lanterns float down the Thu Bồn River in a scene of ethereal beauty.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Even in Hanoi, the Old Quarter comes alive with vibrant lantern stalls, mooncake vendors, and lion dances during Mid-Autumn. Stroll the streets by night and soak it all in — your Grand Mercure Hanoi base puts you right in the heart of it.

9. Oóc Om Bóc — Khmer Moon Worshipping Festival

Early December | 14th night of the 10th lunar month

In the Mekong Delta’s Sóc Trăng Province, the Khmer community stages one of the most vibrant and visually dramatic festivals in southern Vietnam. Oóc Om Bóc is a ceremony of gratitude to the Moon God for the year’s rice harvest, featuring offerings of young sticky rice, coconut, and taro placed under the moonlight. The festival’s most thrilling element is the Ngo boat race — long, elaborately decorated canoes powered by dozens of paddlers race across the water to the roar of thousands of spectators. The event showcases Vietnam’s remarkable multicultural heritage.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: If you are extending your Vietnam journey beyond Hanoi, our concierge can help you plan a southern itinerary timed around Oóc Om Bóc — a truly rare festival experience.

10. New Year’s Eve

December 31 / January 1

Vietnam rings in the Gregorian New Year with as much energy and joy as Tết — and sometimes more spontaneously. Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake area erupts into a massive street party, with live music performances, countdown events, and a dazzling fireworks display over the lake at midnight. Ho Chi Minh City likewise transforms its central districts into a celebration zone. For travelers, New Year’s Eve in Vietnam offers a rare opportunity to celebrate alongside locals in an open, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly captures the warmth of Vietnamese culture.

Tip from Grand Mercure Hanoi: Celebrate in style with our New Year’s Eve gala dinner at Grand Mercure Hanoi — featuring a festive menu, live entertainment, and a prime location to join the midnight countdown before strolling to the lakeside fireworks.

Plan Your Festival Stay with Grand Mercure Hanoi

Grand Mercure Hanoi is your perfect home base for exploring Vietnam’s most celebrated festivals and cultural events. Ideally situated in the heart of the capital, our hotel combines the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality with the comfort of world-class accommodation. Let our dedicated concierge team craft your ideal festival itinerary — from private guided excursions to curated dining experiences inspired by the season.

Images Source: Vietnam Tourism, Vietnam News, Google Images, Vietnam Investment Review, Hanoi Times, VinPearl.