What to Expect
September is beautiful, especially in the North where the rice terraces turn golden yellow for harvest. Hanoi enters its most romantic season with mild weather and blooming milk flowers. Central Vietnam may start seeing rain.
Festivals & Events (2026)
Lễ hội Lăng Ông Bà Chiểu
📍 Ho Chi Minh City
Honors Le Van Duyet; a grand marshal of the Nguyen Dynasty. A major cultural event in Saigon featuring traditional rituals and opera performances.
Lễ hội Chọi Trâu Đồ Sơn (Buffalo Fighting)
📍 Do Son; Hai Phong
A fierce and famous traditional festival where water buffaloes compete. It honors the Water God and prays for safety for coastal fishermen.
Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival)
📍 Nationwide
The Children's Festival. Streets are filled with lion dances; star-shaped lanterns; and mooncakes. Hoi An and Hanoi's Old Quarter are especially magical.
Lễ hội Côn Sơn - Kiếp Bạc
📍 Hai Duong
Commemorates national hero Tran Hung Dao. Features a majestic boat procession on the Luc Dau River and military martial arts demonstrations.
Lễ hội Nghinh Ông
📍 Can Gio; Vung Tau
A massive Whale Worship festival in the South. Hundreds of fishing boats decorated with flags parade at sea to welcome the Whale Spirit.