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W
ith nine days off for the
Vietnamese Tet holiday, a
huge number of modern
Vietnamese families are
now breaking the tradition of staying
at home and making the most of their
time off with a vacation. Tet is also the
perfect time for expatriates living and
working in Vietnam to fly back to their
own countries or travel around their
adopted homeland. For those who do
choose to stay here in Vietnam, here
are five top choices.
Start spring in Hoi An
In Hoi An - the well known UNE-
SCO-designated river town, and one of
the most popular tourist destinations
in Vietnam – tourists can walk or cy-
cle past centuries-old merchant houses,
visit charming silk shops and a bustling
fish market which all look exactly as
they did a century and a half ago.
The was a major trading centre
known as Faifo to early Western trad-
ers during the 17th, 18th, and 19th
centuries. It has always been one of
Vietnam’s most charismatic and seduc-
tive tourist spots and at Lunar New Year
hundreds of lanterns add to its charm.
On the last day of the Lunar New
Year, the ancient streets of Hoi An are
filled with the thick scent of incense
and anticipation builds. The typically
relaxed locals hasten around making
arrangements for the New Year. Dust
and dirt are swept outside while shop-
keepers pile up offerings - traditional
cakes, fresh fruit and flowers - on ta-
bles inside.
Hoi An is made more vibrant by its
iconic silk lanterns – almost every café
and restaurant in town incorporates
lanterns into the interior design. You
can find a myriad of shapes and designs
in every kind of colour you can think of.
After the sun goes down, Hoi An takes
on an evocative, magical appearance.
Everyone ambles around as lanterns
rock in a gentle breeze.
During Tet the town is even more
breathtaking than usual as the inau-
gural lantern making contest is held.
Students, craftsmen and artists from
around the town enter designs and the
best lanterns are displayed in the An
Hoi Statue Garden on the banks of the
Hoai River. The rest of the lanterns are
hung throughout the town.
Repeat visitors – and there are
many – will perhaps wonder what else
is around besides the town’s evident
charms and the nearby Cua Dai beach.
One option is a boat trip to the highly
exotic Cu Lao Cham – a group of is-
lands just a few nautical miles off Cua
Dai beach. The main island, which has
been recognised as a World Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO, is blessed with a
cool climate, beautiful, clean beaches
with white sand, transparent water
and protected marine habitats. Daily
tours can be easily arranged from Hoi
An town.
Plain sailing in Halong Bay
Spending a couple of days floating
on the waters of Halong Bay is always
an unforgettable experience. On board
any luxurious cruise ship, such as those
of Indochina Sails, Valentines, Para-
dises, Bhaya or Au Co cruises, guests
enjoy luxury restaurants, bars, massage
services, and even libraries. Ships also
tet special
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Vietnam’s Tet
Hotspots
Timeout’s five top holiday destinations for the Tet break
Halong Bay
Hoi An