Chinese New Year and Tet Together

Chinese New Year and Tet are the same lunar new year, so the Malaysian travel peak and Vietnam’s own holiday rush land together. Flights fill, rooms cost more and family-run shops close. A Vietnam trip over CNY works if you book early, keep to one base and settle the reunion dinner first.

Why do CNY and Tet clash?

Both follow the lunar calendar. In 2027, Tet falls on 6 February¹. In Vietnam, people usually return home to be with their families, and students usually get a one-week break³. The public holiday is 7 days, or 9 days if the first day of the lunar year falls Monday to Wednesday².

So you are travelling at the same moment as local families, and Malaysian families on the same routes. Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi is listed with AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines and VietJet Air⁴, but all four are in demand at this time of year.

What clashes in practice?

• Flights: Malaysian demand and Vietnamese demand overlap on the same days.
• Hotels: rooms near the old towns sell early, and family rooms go first.
• Meals: family-run places close, so plan where you eat.
• Transport: intercity trains and vans fill around the days people leave and return.
• Tours: operators may run reduced schedules or not run at all.

What should you book earlier than usual?

Book in this order: flights, your main hotel, intercity transport, then tours and meals. Our Tet booking timeline has the full order and the supplier questions. Compare arrival cities in KL to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang.

How do you fit the reunion dinner?

Families treat the reunion dinner as the one fixed point. Decide it first with the whole family, including grandparents. Then choose flights that leave comfortably after it, and avoid a late dinner followed by an early departure.

If the family wants the reunion dinner at home and the holiday after, start the trip a day or two later. That also helps older relatives rest.

Is it a good plan for your family?

It suits families who want a new festive atmosphere and can accept closures. It suits you less if grandparents need certain transport, toddlers need regular meals or the leave is only a few days. In that case, think about another week.

Read Tet in Vietnam: what to expect for the full picture. A calm base such as Hanoi or Hoi An keeps movement low, and the Vietnam cost worksheet helps you price both options in ringgit. More timing advice is in Seasons and who it suits.