On the first day of the first lunar month, millions of Vietnamese people joyfully celebrate Tet Nguyen Dan – the most important and sacred holiday of the year.
This is not only a long holiday but also a time for family reunion. Despite working hard far from home, everyone eagerly awaits a bus ticket to return to their family dinner table, closing out the old year and wishing for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
1. Traditional Tet: When the Values of Our Ancestors Reign Supreme
Unlike the lively atmosphere of the Gregorian New Year, the Lunar New Year is deeply rooted in spirituality and culture.
Historically, Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) originated in rice-farming civilisations, marking the start of the new planting season. Today, Tet is an occasion for descendants to pay respects to their ancestors and give thanks to heaven and earth for their protection throughout the past year.
Images of families gathering to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), the sacred moment of New Year’s Eve, or the bright red lucky money envelopes… all create the “soul” of the nation, reminding us of the principle of “Drinking water, remember the source.”
2. Welcoming TET
In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), Vietnam seems to undergo a transformation.
- In Hanoi, the streets are filled with the pink hues of Nhat Tan peach blossoms and the yellow of kumquat trees.
- In Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Flower Street is resplendent with the golden blossoms of Southern apricot trees.
Tet is also the longest holiday of the year (usually 7-9 days). This is the “golden time” for people to go on spring outings, visit relatives, or treat themselves to relaxing trips after a year of hard work.
3. The Tet holiday bus ticket “battle”: Plan early to avoid anxiety.
Tet is the biggest travel season of the year. The surge in travel demand often leads to sold-out tickets, overcrowding, and inflated prices.
Advice from travel experts: Instead of waiting until the last minute to queue at the bus station, you should book your tickets online at least 3-4 weeks in advance. This will help you:
- Actively choose your preferred seat/bed location.
- Staying true to the listed price means you won’t be overcharged.
- Feel free to arrange your work so you can return home early.
4. Listing the “Hottest” Bus Routes & Bus Companies for Tet 2026
To help you choose easily, redBus has compiled a list of reputable, high-quality bus companies that are most sought after on key routes:
Hanoi – Ninh Binh Route (Spring Trip to Bai Dinh – Trang An)
Ninh Binh is an extremely popular spiritual tourism destination at the beginning of the year.
- Suggested bus companies: Vietnam Bus, Trang An Limousine .
- Advantages: Luxurious 9-seater limousine, door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, frequent departures (every 30 minutes).
Hanoi – Ha Long route (Heritage resort)
For families who want to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) combined with a relaxing beach vacation.
- Suggested bus company: Ha Long Travel .
- Advantages: Specializes in new model limousines, offering an extremely smooth and fast ride on the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh highway.
Hanoi – Hai Phong Route (Foodtour of Hai Phong)
This is one of the busiest routes in Northern Vietnam, with extremely high transportation demand.
- Suggested bus companies: Hoang Long, Gia Nguyen .
- Advantages: Hoang Long (Hai Au) bus company is known for its professional service and does not pick up passengers en route.
Hanoi – Thanh Hoa Route (Road to Thanh Hoa Province)
This is always the busiest route during the Lunar New Year.
- Suggested bus company: 36 Travel, Binh Hoai .
- Advantages: These bus companies invest heavily in sleeper buses and VIP buses, helping passengers arrive home less fatigued on long journeys.
Hue – Da Nang Route (Connecting Central Vietnam’s Heritage Sites)
The most beautiful route in Central Vietnam is via Hai Van Pass or the road tunnel.
- Suggested bus company: Hung Thinh Phat.
- Advantages: Smooth ride, safe, stable ticket prices, suitable for tourism or visiting relatives between the two cities.
Conclusion
Tet is for going home, not for the hassle of waiting for transportation. Let redBus accompany you on the safest and most fulfilling reunion journeys. Don’t wait until the last minute to scramble for tickets. Book today to secure the best seats on your Tet trip home with discounts. Find the best TET bus ticket deals and get upto 40% off for limited time period on your bus booking.
