When is Tết 2027? Dates for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Tết 2027, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027. It opens the Year of the Goat, known in Vietnamese as Đinh Mùi, and New Year's Eve is the night of Friday, February 5.

Because Tết follows the lunar calendar, the date moves every year, usually landing between late January and mid-February. Here are the dates worth putting in your calendar.

Key Tết 2027 dates at a glance

• Saturday, January 30, 2027: Ông Táo day, when families send off the Kitchen Gods (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month).
• Friday, February 5, 2027: New Year's Eve, Giao thừa, the moment the old year turns into the new one at midnight.
• Saturday, February 6, 2027: Mùng 1 Tết, the first day of the new year.
• Sunday, February 7, 2027: Mùng 2 Tết, the second day.
• Monday, February 8, 2027: Mùng 3 Tết, the third day.

The first three days are the heart of the celebration, though the festive mood often lasts longer. Official public holiday dates in Vietnam are set by the government each year, so check the announced schedule if you need exact days off.

Why is Tết on February 6 in 2027?

Tết begins on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which starts with a new moon. The lunar year does not line up with the 365-day solar year, so the date of Tết shifts against the Western calendar from year to year. To understand how the system works, see the lunar calendar in Vietnamese life.

In 2027, Vietnamese Tết and Chinese New Year fall on the same day. That is usually the case, though Vietnam calculates its calendar for its own time zone, so in rare years the two can differ.

What does Đinh Mùi mean?

Each lunar year has a two-part name. The first part, Đinh, is one of ten "heavenly stems." The second, Mùi, is one of twelve "earthly branches," each linked with a zodiac animal. Mùi is the Goat. Together they form a cycle that repeats every 60 years.

Vietnam's zodiac is close to China's, with one famous difference: Vietnam has the Cat where China has the Rabbit. You can read more in why Vietnam has a Year of the Cat instead of the Rabbit.

What happens in the days before Tết?

The run-up to Tết is busy. The last weeks of the old year usually include:

• Cleaning and decorating the home to welcome the new year fresh.
• Ông Táo day on January 30, 2027, with offerings to send the Kitchen Gods to report to the Jade Emperor.
• Shopping at Tết markets for flowers, fruit, candied snacks and gifts.
• Making or buying rice cakes, bánh chưng in the North and bánh tét in the South.
• A year-end family meal called tất niên.

For the full list of customs, read Tết traditions: from cleaning house to the first visitor.

What happens on New Year's Eve and the first days?

On the evening of February 5, families prepare offerings for their ancestors and gather to welcome the new year at midnight. On February 6, the first visitor to the house, known as xông đất, is thought to set the tone for the year. Over the first three days, people visit relatives, give lì xì (lucky money in red envelopes) and exchange New Year wishes.

Other dates around Tết 2027

• The first full moon of the year, Rằm tháng Giêng, falls 14 days after Tết, around February 20, 2027. It is an important day for visiting pagodas and making offerings.
• Tết 2026 was on February 17, 2026, the Year of the Horse.
• Tết 2028 is expected on January 26, 2028, the Year of the Monkey.

How do you wish someone a happy Tết?

The standard greeting is Chúc mừng năm mới ("chook mung nahm moy"), meaning "Happy New Year." It is polite and works for everyone. For more greetings and what they mean, see chúc mừng năm mới: Tết greetings.

Planning tips for Tết 2027

• Travel early. Tết is the busiest travel period of the year in Vietnam, and transport fills up fast.
• Expect closures. Many shops and restaurants close for several days around Mùng 1.
• Book family visits ahead if you live abroad and want to join a celebration in your local Vietnamese community.

Mark February 5 and 6, 2027 in your calendar now; if you plan to send wishes or visit family, those are the two days that matter most.