New Year's Day

New Year's Day in Vietnam, known as Tết Dương lịch or Tết Tây, is observed on January 1 according to the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, it falls on Thursday, January 1, and is recognized as a nationwide public holiday. Vietnam also follows the traditional lunisolar calendar for important cultural occasions, so Gregorian New Year's Day exists alongside Tết Nguyên Đán, the Lunar New Year, which remains the country’s most significant annual festival.

The use of January 1 as the civil New Year developed through Vietnam’s integration into the modern international calendar system during the colonial period and continued after independence for government, education, commerce, and international relations. Over time, the holiday became associated with urban modernity, global cultural exchange, and a short period of rest at the beginning of the calendar year. Although its historical and religious significance is generally less profound than Lunar New Year, Tết Dương lịch is widely observed in cities and tourist destinations throughout Vietnam.

Vietnamese celebrations of New Year's Day commonly include family meals, visits with friends, leisure trips, and public countdown events on New Year's Eve. Major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang may organize music performances, light displays, or fireworks when officially authorized. Restaurants, cafés, shopping centers, and hotels often create special programs, while many people use the holiday for domestic travel or a brief break from work and school.

Unlike Lunar New Year, January 1 is not normally centered on ancestral rites, traditional red envelopes, or foods such as bánh chưng and bánh tét, although some families may incorporate festive dishes into a celebratory meal. Typical greetings include “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới,” meaning “Happy New Year,” and wishes for health, happiness, prosperity, and success. People may also send digital greetings, flowers, or small gifts, reflecting the increasingly modern and international character of New Year's Day in Vietnam.