Local, int’l visitors captivated by traditional Tet festival in Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa

The fest is to run through to the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, lasting from February 14 to 22.

It is treating visitors to various traditional experiences and photogenic spaces.

The event marks its first edition on a nearly-three-hectare site and will last for 45 days.

It is expected to become a distinctive cultural and tourist destination during the spring season.

Sara, a visitor from Morocco, said she found the Vietnamese Tet atmosphere both unfamiliar and warmly engaging.

She was particularly impressed by the chance to take part in folk games and enjoy traditional Tet cuisine first-hand

Within the ancient Tet space, residents and tourists can fully experience the atmosphere of a traditional Lunar New Year through familiar rituals and customs such as wrapping banh chung (square sticky rice cake) and banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake), and making mut (traditional sugar-preserved fruits).

These practices offer an evocative glimpse into the rhythms of Tet celebrations of the past.

The festival also features vibrant springtime activities, including lion and dragon dances, folk games, boat racing, ao dai performances, and lotto shows, all contributing to a lively and nostalgic festive mood.

Adding further depth are hands-on craft village experiences, traditional art programs, and the outdoor live-action spectacle ‘Legendary Light.’

A flower market, Tet market, and culinary zone also enhance the festival’s appeal, showcasing seasonal dishes and traditional cakes prepared by local artisans and chefs, allowing visitors to savor the flavors of spring alongside its sights and sounds.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, chief of the village, said that the festival is designed with multiple layers of content, combining ceremonial elements, festive activities, a Tet market, and gastronomy to create an immersive experience while contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values.

Nguyen Quang Thang, vice-chairman of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, noted that the festival vividly recreates the Vietnamese rural landscape, helping visitors connect with local culture in a direct and intuitive way.

“The festival is expected to spread the value of traditional culture and create a distinctive tourism product to serve both local and international visitors,” Thang said.