Events & Festivals in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's most important national holiday. The city transforms with peach blossom trees, kumquat plants, and festive decorations. Expect fireworks, family gatherings, traditional foods like Banh Tet, and a quiet city center as many residents travel home. Most businesses close for several days.

A celebration of Vietnam's iconic traditional long dress. Features grand parades with hundreds of models, design competitions, photography exhibitions, and cultural performances. Highlights the elegance and evolution of the Ao Dai through history and modern fashion.

A major international running event attracting thousands of local and foreign athletes. Courses wind through iconic city landmarks like the Saigon River, Thu Thiem Tunnel, and historic districts. Offers full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K races.

Held in the lead-up to Tet, this festival fills Tao Dan Park with a dazzling array of flowers, ornamental plants, and bonsai trees from across Vietnam. Includes flower arrangement contests, cultural shows, and a packed markets for festive decorations and gifts.

Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of Tet. Primarily observed by the city's Chinese-Vietnamese community in Cho Lon. Temples are adorned with lanterns, and lion dances fill the streets to bring luck and ward off evil spirits.

A widely celebrated day honoring women. Streets and shops are decorated, and special promotions are offered. Many cultural institutions host events, talks, and exhibitions focused on women's achievements. Flowers, especially yellow, are given extensively.

A prestigious professional cycling race, often a stage of the national tournament. Elite Vietnamese and international teams compete on courses that may include circuits around the city or start/finish on iconic streets, attracting large crowds of spectators.

A national public holiday commemorating the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Vietnam. While the main festival is in Phu Tho, in HCMC people visit temples, make offerings, and enjoy traditional performances. It's a day of national pride and cultural remembrance.

A biennial event showcasing cinematic talent from Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and the world. Features screenings of feature films, documentaries, and shorts, along with workshops, masterclasses with filmmakers, and glamorous red-carpet events.

A major two-day national holiday. April 30 marks the fall of Saigon in 1975, and May 1 is International Workers' Day. The city is draped in national flags, with parades, cultural shows, and fireworks over the Saigon River. A peak domestic travel period.

A sacred day for Buddhists, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha. Pagodas across the city are beautifully decorated with lanterns and flowers. Activities include ceremonial bathing of Buddha statues, chanting, charitable giving, and free vegetarian meals for visitors.

The country's premier fashion event, attracting top Vietnamese and Asian designers. Features runway shows, showrooms, and industry networking events. Highlights the fusion of traditional Vietnamese elements with contemporary design and emerging talent.

Celebrates the city's official renaming in 1975 (formerly Saigon). While not a national day off, the city hosts cultural performances, parades, and exhibitions highlighting its history and development. A sense of local pride is palpable.

A major literary event held at the city's main exhibition center. Features hundreds of publishing houses, with vast selections of books in Vietnamese and foreign languages at discounted prices. Includes author signing sessions, talks, and activities for children.

A celebration of Vietnam's booming craft beer scene. Local and regional breweries gather to pour unique creations, from hoppy IPAs to tropical fruit-infused ales. Features live music, food trucks serving pairing dishes, and a lively, social atmosphere.

A Buddhist holiday akin to the Ghost Festival, where people pay respect to ancestors and wandering souls. Pagodas hold special ceremonies. It's also Mother's Day in Vietnam; people with living mothers wear a red rose, while those without wear a white rose.

Marks Vietnam's declaration of independence in 1945. A national holiday with flag-raising ceremonies, patriotic parades, and evening fireworks over the Saigon River. The city is awash in red flags and national banners, with a strong sense of patriotism.

A magical festival for children, celebrating the harvest. Streets are filled with colorful lantern parades, lion dances, and stalls selling mooncakes. The focus is on family, with children carrying lanterns in the evening and enjoying performances.

A multi-genre music festival showcasing both international and top Vietnamese artists across pop, rock, electronic, and indie. Features multiple stages, food and drink vendors, and a active, youthful atmosphere, often held in a large outdoor venue.

The city's largest celebration of German beer culture. Held in a massive beer hall tent, it features authentic German beers on tap, hearty food like pretzels and sausages, live Oompah bands, and traditional games. A hugely popular expat and local event.

A charity-focused running event with a more community-oriented feel than the January marathon. Attracts families and casual runners for shorter distances. The focus is on participation, fun, and raising funds for local social causes.

Although not a public holiday, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm. City streets, especially Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue, are lavishly decorated with lights and giant trees. Churches hold midnight mass, and restaurants and hotels offer special festive dinners.

A massive, citywide celebration to ring in the New Year. The main event is a spectacular music concert and fireworks display over the Saigon River at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, attracting hundreds of thousands of revelers. Clubs, bars, and restaurants host special parties.

A dynamic seasonal night market celebrating Vietnamese street food. Dozens of stalls set up offering iconic dishes from all regions of Vietnam, from Banh Xeo and Bun Bo Hue to fresh seafood and sweet desserts. Live music adds to the festive atmosphere.