Young Vietnamese pet owners rush to grooming, boarding services ahead of Tet

The 2026 Tet holiday in Vietnam for civil servants and public employees is scheduled for nine consecutive days, from Saturday, February 14 (27th of the twelfth lunar month), to Sunday, February 22 (sixth of the first lunar month).

In the days leading up to Tet, the number of customers bringing their dogs and cats in for baths, haircuts, and grooming services has surged compared to normal periods.

Beyond basic cleaning and trimming, many owners are opting for premium spa packages and customized styling to ensure their pets look their best for the country’s biggest holiday.

At several pet care shops, staff begin receiving pets early in the morning, working steadily throughout the day.

My Anh, a representative of Richie Pet City on Tran Nhat Duat Street, said her store handles around 30 pets a day during the pre-Tet rush.

On peak days, that number can climb to between 80 and 100.

“Crowds of owners have booked grooming, styling, and hygiene services before Tet as they want their pets to be clean and lovely to celebrate the holiday with them,” she said.

Apart from beauty treatments, many customers combine grooming appointments with boarding services while they travel during the holiday.

As a result, pet hotels and daycare facilities are frequently fully booked well before Tet begins.

For Le Thi My Linh, a resident of Nha Trang Ward, pre-Tet grooming for her dogs and cats has become an annual tradition.

“Tet is a time for reunion. Pets are members of the family, so I want them to be clean and smell nice,” she said.

“In recent years, pet services in Nha Trang have become very professional, and the staff are gentle, which makes me feel more at ease."

According to shop owners, the growing trend of treating pets as companions, or even as children, has led to steadily rising spending on care services.

Owners are increasingly willing to pay for high-quality grooming, spa treatments, and comfortable boarding options.

Nha Trang is now home to dozens of pet care and grooming establishments.

In addition to serving local customers, many shops also cater to domestic tourists and international visitors traveling to the popular seaside destination.