Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026: A Cultural Way to Experience Vietnamese New Year
- Faye Hilling
- Jan 19
- 9 min read
Let’s be honest for a second. Most people hear “Tet Holiday” and think of fireworks, street parties, and cultural magic.
Then they actually arrive in Vietnam… and discover locked doors, cancelled buses, sold-out hotels, and a very confused Grab driver.
Tet is beautiful.Tet is meaningful.Tet is also wildly misunderstood by travelers.
That’s exactly why Bong Hostel’s Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026 exist—to give you the experience of Tet without the travel nightmares and awkward “why is everything shut?” moments.
This isn’t a normal Ha Giang Loop tour.And it’s definitely not business as usual.
This is Tet—how travelers should experience it.
Quick Summary: Ha Giang Loop During Tet (Lunar New Year)
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What Is Tet Holiday in Vietnam and Why the Country Shuts Down
Before we talk about the tour, let’s set the scene.
Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is the most important holiday in Vietnam and shapes Tet Holiday travel across Vietnam, including the Ha Giang Loop during Tet.
It’s more important than birthdays. More important than Women’s Day (sorry ladies). Possibly more important than Wi-Fi.
Tet marks:
The start of the lunar new year
The arrival of spring
A full cultural reset
In 2026, Tet officially falls on February 17, launching the Year of the Horse.
And during Tet?
Families travel home en masse
Businesses close for days
Transport sells out weeks in advance
Normal travel plans… don’t really apply
Vietnam doesn’t half-celebrate Tet. It goes all in.
For the full breakdown about Tet Holiday, click here: Tet Holiday 2026 in Vietnam: Dates, Closures & Ha Giang Loop Travel Tips.
Why Traveling in Vietnam During Tet Holiday Is Difficult
If you’ve already read our other Tet guides, you’ll know this part well—but it matters here.
During Tet:
Hostels and homestays in Ha Giang and along the Ha Giang Loop close
Restaurants shut
Fuel stops become unpredictable
Local families are celebrating, not hosting tours
That’s why Bong Hostel closes during the official Tet period. Not because we don’t love travelers—but because Tet is family time, and culture comes first.
But here’s the thing…
When Is the Best Time to Experience Tet Without Travel Disruptions?
Most travellers only see Tet in two ways:
They arrive during the shutdown and struggle.
They avoid it completely and miss the magic.
We didn’t love either option.
So we asked ourselves:
“What if travellers could experience Tet preparation, meaning, and connection—without the chaos?”
That’s how Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours were born.
Introducing Bong Hostel’s Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026
Instead of running tours during Tet, Bong Hostel runs limited, carefully designed Tet Holiday Tours in the lead-up to Tet, when:
Villages are preparing, not closing
Families are welcoming, not traveling
Roads are quieter
Traditions are alive and accessible
Tour Dates for 2026
February 2 – February 8, 2026
These dates are deliberate. Strategic. Cultural.
You experience Tet before the doors close.
What Makes These Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours Different?
Let’s be very clear.
This is not:
A party loop
A rushed sightseeing tour
A box-ticking itinerary
This is a slow, meaningful, culturally immersive journey designed around Tet itself.
And yes—it still includes jaw-dropping Ha Giang scenery.
Who Are These Tet Holiday Tours Perfect For?
These tours are ideal if you:
Want cultural depth, not crowds
Want to go in small groups on the Ha Giang Loop
Are curious about Vietnamese traditions
Prefer connection over chaos
Want to stay in small-scale, local accommodation
Want to understand Tet, not just photograph it
Are traveling solo and want real human moments
If you’re chasing karaoke and Happy Water—this probably isn’t your tour.
Who the Bong Hostel Tet Tours Are NOT For
Tet travel may not be right if you:
Need strict schedules
Expect high-energy nightlife
Want spontaneous transport and dining
Prefer fast-paced sightseeing
If that’s you, plan your Ha Giang Loop for after February 21, 2026.
Related article: What is Happy Water: Discover the Ha Giang Loop’s Secret Ingredient.
Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026: Day-by-Day Breakdown
Now let’s get into the good stuff.
Day 1: First Encounters & Tet Preparations Begin
The noise of the lowlands fades quickly as we head north.
Roads get narrower. Mountains rise. Villages appear quietly between valleys.And with them—the first signs of Tet.
This day isn’t about ticking landmarks off a list.It’s about noticing.
We travel along lesser-used roads, stopping in villages where:
Homes are being cleaned for the new year
Decorations are being prepared
Food is being made in advance
You’ll see Tet before it becomes performative.
Evening: Making Bánh Chưng With Local Families
As the sun drops, we settle into a quiet mountain village—far from tourist routes.
Together with local hosts, you’ll:
Learn how Bánh Chưng is made
Understand why it’s only prepared once a year
Wrap, cook, and share the process
As night settles in, we eat, talk, and warm ourselves by the fire—exactly how Tet preparations have been done for generations.
Overnight: A peaceful, non-touristy village homestay.
Related article: How to Pack for the Ha Giang Loop in Winter.
Day 2: Big Landscapes, Small Moments & Local Celebration
If Day 1 is about connection, Day 2 is about contrast.
The Ha Giang Loop shows off today.
Towering limestone peaks. Deep valleys. Roads that twist like they were drawn by a dramatic poet.
But we don’t rush it.
We stop often—not just for photos, but for village visits and everyday encounters that show what life looks like just before the new year arrives.
Evening: Tet in Dong Van Old Quarter
By evening, we arrive in Dong Van Old Quarter—where Tet energy feels festive, but still deeply local.
Instead of loud shows or staged performances, we’re welcomed into a traditional fire gathering.
There’s warmth. Music. Stories. Shared food.
Day 3: Quiet Roads & Tet Eve Together
This day moves slowly—intentionally.
The roads are calm. The views stretch wide.There’s space to breathe and reflect.
By evening, we prepare for the emotional heart of the journey: Vietnamese New Year’s Eve.
Tet Eve Celebration
Together with local families, we:
Share a traditional Tet reunion meal
Take part in fire rituals
Welcome the new year together
There’s music. There’s laughter. There’s probably even a little Happy Water and Karaoke, even though I said there wouldn’t be (hey it’s inevitable, okay?).
This night isn’t loud for the sake of it. It’s joyful because it’s shared.
For many travelers, this becomes the most meaningful night of their entire Vietnam trip.
Day 4: Slow Goodbyes & Lucky Gifts
There’s no rush on the final morning.
We continue through green valleys and quieter backroads, soaking in the last moments of the journey.
Before returning to Ha Giang, each guest receives a small Tet gift, handmade by Bong Hanoi Hostel team members.
It’s simple. It’s meaningful. And it carries the spirit of the new year with it.
Tet Holiday Tour vs Normal Ha Giang Loop Tour: What’s the Difference?
Not all Ha Giang Loop experiences are created equal—and Tet changes the game completely.
Feature | Tet Ha Giang Loop Tour | Normal Ha Giang Loop Tour |
Dates | Runs only during Tet (Lunar New Year) | Runs year-round outside Tet |
Availability | Limited spots, must book in advance | More flexible availability |
Accommodation | Pre-confirmed family homestays | Guesthouses & homestays open normally |
Road Conditions | Quiet roads, minimal traffic | More tour groups & local traffic |
Cultural Experience | High – village celebrations, family gatherings | Moderate – daily local life |
Best For | Travelers wanting to experience Tet Holiday traditions without facing Vietnam in shutdown | Travelers wanting flexibility outside Tet |
Related article: Ha Giang Loop Culture Tour: Bong Hostel’s New Route Guide.
Why Bong Hostel Doesn’t Run Normal Tours During Tet
Bong Hostel does not operate standard Ha Giang Loop tours during Tet itself.
Why? Because Tet is sacred family time in Vietnam and Bong Hostel will be closed.
Running business as usual would mean:
Staff missing the most important holiday of their year
Local communities being treated as “services” instead of families
That’s not who we are.
These Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours exist precisely because we respect Tet Holiday—not because we want our staff to work through it.
Why Booking a Tour During Tet Should Make You Pause
If you see companies running full tours during Tet week, ask yourself:
Are their staff choosing to work—or being told to?
Tet is about people, not profit.
We believe travelers deserve honesty about that.
Logistics: What You Need to Know
Tour Dates
February 2 – February 8, 2026
So, each day from February 2 until February 8 we will be running two tours per day.
1x 3 Days 2 Nights Tet Tour
1x 4 Days 3 Nights Tet Tour
This includes February 8, so to make it simple: the last tour will return to Bong Hostel Ha Giang on February 11.
Bong Hostel Tet Closure 2026
Tet holiday travel timeline for the Ha Giang Loop in 2026 is as follows:
Feb 2–8: Tet cultural tours
Feb 11–12: Last Loop tours
Feb 14: Final bus to Hanoi only
Feb 15–20: Tet closure
Feb 20: First bus back to Ha Giang (7pm)
Feb 21: Ha Giang Loop tours resume
Availability
These tours are limited capacity and will sell out earlier than regular Loop tours.
FAQs: Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026
Q. What are Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours?
A. Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours are limited, culturally focused tours run by Bong Hostel before Tet begins.
They allow travelers to experience Tet preparations, traditions, and local celebrations without the closures and travel disruptions of the official holiday period.
Q. When do Bong Hostel’s Tet Holiday Tours run in 2026?
A. The tours run from February 2 to February 8, 2026, before the official Tet holiday shutdown begins.
Q. Is Bong Hostel open during Tet Holiday 2026?
A. No. Bong Hostel will be closed during the official Tet holiday period so staff can spend time with their families.
Tours do not operate during Tet itself.
Q. Why doesn’t Bong Hostel run normal Ha Giang Loop tours during Tet?
A. Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam. Running tours during this time would mean staff missing family reunions and cultural traditions.
Bong Hostel chooses to respect Tet rather than treat it as business as usual.
Q. What makes Tet Holiday Tours different from regular Ha Giang Loop tours?
A. Tet Holiday Tours focus on cultural immersion rather than speed or sightseeing.
Guests take part in Bánh Chưng making, Tet preparations, village stays, and New Year’s Eve celebrations with local families.
Q. Will I still see the main Ha Giang Loop landscapes on this tour?
A. Yes. The tour includes some of Ha Giang’s most dramatic scenery, but the pace is slower and routes favor quieter roads and cultural stops.
Q. Is this tour suitable for beginners or first-time visitors to Vietnam?
A. Absolutely. These tours are ideal for first-time visitors who want a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture in a supportive, guided environment.
Q. How many people are on each Tet Holiday Tour?
A. Group sizes are smaller to keep the experience personal and respectful for local communities.
Q. Will prices increase during Tet Holiday Tours?
A. No Tet surcharges apply to these tours, as they are run before the holiday shutdown and priced transparently in advance.
Q. Do these tours sell out?
A. Yes. Due to limited dates and capacity, Bong Hostel’s Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours usually sell out earlier than regular Loop tours.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Experience Tet with Bong
Tet isn’t a festival you rush through. It’s not something you “do” between destinations.
It’s something you’re welcomed into.
Bong Hostel’s Ha Giang Loop Tet Holiday Tours 2026 were created so travellers could experience Tet:
With respect
With context
With connection
Not through closed shutters and cancelled plans—but through shared meals, stories, and fireside conversations.
If you’re going to experience Tet, this is the way.
Quietly. Properly. And with Bong Hostel of course!