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Are you planning to visit Saigon during the Lunar New Year but still unsure where to go and what to eat in this magnificent city? Don't worry, follow Vntrip's lead, and you'll have the chance to explore countless fascinating destinations along with famous eateries open throughout the Tet holiday in Saigon.
1. Weather Forecast for Lunar New Year 2021 in Saigon
This Lunar New Year falls in the middle of February according to the Gregorian calendar, and the weather in Saigon is predicted to be hotter than usual. The average temperature in Saigon during the Tet holiday ranges from 22 – 36oC, with little rainfall. Although it's hot during the day, the temperature becomes cooler and more pleasant in the afternoon and evening.
2. Where to Go for Lunar New Year Celebration in Saigon?
2.1. Nguyen Hue Flower Street
Of course, Nguyen Hue Flower Street is an unmissable destination on the list of Lunar New Year celebrations in Saigon. This year, Nguyen Hue Flower Street is divided into two chapters, including the Convergence of Cultural Identities and the Path to the Future, featuring 13 different scenes.
Scene of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2021. Image: Collected
Flowers illuminated along Nguyen Hue Street. Image: Collection
Throughout the 720 meters of the flower street, buffalo mascots almost always appear in pairs, following the herd, especially in segments where humans and buffaloes accompany each other, expressing warm sentiments and affection in every gesture. Additionally, the colorful painting of Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2021 is embellished through artistic flower arrangements by representatives of 10 consulates in the city and over 130 varieties of flowers and leaves.
Favorite Tet Photo Spot in Saigon. Image: Collection
Nguyen Hue Flower Street for the Year of the Ox will be open from 7:00 PM on February 9th to 9:00 PM on February 15th, 2021 (from the 28th day of the lunar calendar's last month to the 4th day of Tet).
2.2. Ong Do Street
Just hearing the name is enough to feel the Tet atmosphere, isn't it? Ong Do Street stretches along the sidewalk on Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 1, attracting many visitors every year for photos and New Year's wishes.
Ong Do Street. Image: Kenh14
Here, each stall is decorated differently. Images of Mr. and Mrs. Do wearing traditional ao dai, headscarves, displaying ink, and red couplets in the midst of colorful apricot and peach blossoms. According to fortune tellers, visitors often request characters related to fortune, wealth, and prosperity... These characters carry meanings of luck and happiness. Each stall has reference books for visitors to learn about each character, couplet...
Ong Do granting blessings. Image: Kenh14
In addition to the yellow apricot blossoms and Ong Do Street along Pham Ngoc Thach and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets; artistic performances, folk games, lion and dragon dances are also organized concurrently.
The brilliant yellow apricot blossoms. Image: Kenh14
2.3. Rin Rin Park Koi Fish Pond - Japanese Garden
Spanning 20,000 square meters, Rin Rin Park Koi Fish Pond is a green space oriented towards nature, designed harmoniously to replicate almost all the beautiful elements of a garden in the land of the Rising Sun. Most impressive is the entire garden area decorated with small and large green stones from the Shikoku region, combined with meticulously trimmed tall Lohan Pine trees. Particularly, the park also features numerous Koi fish of various colors swimming gracefully under the clear water.
Rin Rin Park Koi Fish. Image: Compiled
With this deeply Japanese space, Rin Rin Park Koi Fish Pond is definitely the go-to spot for those seeking a Tet photo shoot in Saigon. Here, they also offer rental services for Japanese attire such as Kimono, hairpins, umbrellas, fans, etc., to make your photos sparkle even more.
Koi Fish Pond. Image: @hoangtho.8166
2.4. Thiên Thanh Park
For those looking to fully enjoy this Tet holiday in Saigon, besides Dam Sen Park or Suoi Tien, why not experience the largest water park in Saigon - Thiên Thanh Park. With a total area of up to 6000m2, this park boasts a system of 9m slides, a 2.5m high open slide, two closed slides, and three super cool open slides, along with many games for children such as rocking boats, carousels, water slides, swings, mushroom houses...
Thiên Thanh Park. Image: Compiled
Additionally, Thiên Thanh Park also features the most modern cinema complex in Vietnam, including an 8D cinema with a 360-degree super curved screen, two 7D cinemas with world-class interactive technology... Moreover, this is also an ideal resort destination where you can enjoy high-quality mud baths, modern relaxing massage pools...
Outdoor Sliding System. Image: Compiled
2.5. Buu Long Pagoda
If you're looking for a unique pagoda in Saigon to pray for health and luck in the new year while enjoying some fantastic photo opportunities, then Buu Long Pagoda is the place you shouldn't miss.
Buu Long Pagoda from above. Image: Compiled
Buu Long Pagoda is built in the architectural style of temples in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, India... combined with the architectural style of Nguyen Dynasty temples, giving the pagoda a unique beauty, both modest and magnificent.
A popular photo spot for young people. Image: Compiled
Visiting Buu Long Pagoda, you will pay homage to the Buddha, listen to sermons, and read scriptures in Pali, the language of the Buddha's time passed down to children by the pagoda. Admiring the Bodhi tree, which is a cutting from the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in India, will help you reconnect with the roots of Buddhism. Additionally, Buu Long Pagoda is known as a 'no-incense' temple, so visitors only offer prayers here without burning incense inside the temple as usual.
2.6. Shopping Centers
In harmony with the festive atmosphere of Tet, most shopping centers create various entertainment spaces for customers, especially young people. The decoration themes at shopping centers are diverse and rich, depending on each year's zodiac animal, accompanied by couplets, square sticky rice cakes, Tet cakes, persimmon trees, apricot blossom branches, etc., both outside and inside, allowing you to take plenty of photos.
Saigon Centre. Image: Compiled
Aeon Mall. Image: Compiled
Moreover, most shopping centers reopen on the morning of the 3rd day of Tet, with some opening earlier on the morning of the 2nd day, and a few even starting service from the morning of the 1st day. With a variety of eateries and cafes open throughout Tet, shopping centers will surely help you indulge during the Tet days.
2.7. Can Gio
If you're seeking a truly chill destination, away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the fresh air, then Can Gio is the perfect choice for you during Tet.
Vam Sat Mangrove Forest. Image: Compiled
Monkey Island. Image: Compiled
Despite being relatively close to Saigon, Can Gio is a destination with a wild allure. Can Gio features distinctive mangrove forests, a unique blend of mangroves intertwined with a dense network of rivers and canals, harboring a diverse and rich ecosystem with many endemic species of flora and fauna of the Vietnamese coastal region. Some notable attractions in Can Gio include Vam Sat Mangrove Forest, Monkey Island, Hang Duong Market, and the Whale Tomb. Moreover, the cuisine in Can Gio is top-notch. When visiting Can Gio, you must try specialties like mixed mudskipper salad, sun-dried mudfish, sam land snail, coconut water, and more.
Sunset in Can Gio. Image: Compiled
3. What to Eat During Lunar New Year in Saigon?
During Tet, many eateries close to rest after a year of business. Therefore, finding a place to gather with friends during Tet can be quite challenging amidst the monotony of home-cooked meals, banh chung (glutinous rice cake), pickled vegetables, etc. But don't worry, there are still a few eateries open on Tet in Saigon to cater to your needs.
3.1. Bo Le Ro
Bo Le Ro is a place offering a diverse range of dishes, perfect for gathering on the first day of the year. The restaurant is famous for its 5 unique sauces including black pepper garlic, green curry, tamarind peanut, spicy chili, and Japanese soy sauce. Additionally, the various beef dipped in sauce served with water spinach, enoki mushrooms, and bitter melon will add more sophistication and exotic flavors to the dish.
Bo Le Ro. Image: Compiled
3.2. Baozi
Baozi is a spot specializing in Taiwanese-style dishes beloved by young people. At Baozi, you can enjoy a wide variety of delicious dishes such as minced pork wrapped in bean curd skin, spicy chicken wings, various types of steamed buns, rice, waffles, and more. Additionally, Baozi's milk tea is a must-try, with its sweet, creamy flavor and the aromatic scent of cocoa powder sprinkled on top along with chewy black jelly.
Baozi. Image: Compiled
3.3. Lac Thai
If you're craving Thai food during the Tet holiday, head straight to Lac Thai. With a menu featuring over 100 Thai dishes, you won't want to miss out on the unique flavors here such as catfish mango salad, grilled chicken wrapped in pandan leaves, Tom Yam soup, Thai-style fermented fish fried rice, mango sticky rice, Pad Thai with noodles, and more. Additionally, you can also enjoy familiar Vietnamese dishes prepared in Thai style, such as fried shrimp cakes, grilled shrimp with salt and chili, fried fresh squid with fish sauce, sunbathing beef, and baked crabs.
Lac Thai. Image: Compiled
3.4. Pizza Hut
The next spot open throughout Tet is the familiar Pizza Hut chain, beloved not only by young people but also by parents thanks to its incredibly diverse menu ranging from pizza to fried rice, spaghetti, side dishes, and more. The restaurant continuously innovates with new crust and filling combinations, featuring crispy cheese-stuffed crusts and innovative sauces.
Pizza Hut. Image: Compiled
3.5. The Gangs
The Gangs is a restaurant specializing in American-style BBQ dishes. The food here isn't served on plates but on a wooden board, perfect for the hands-on eating style while still looking unique and visually appealing. The sauces at The Gangs are also out of the ordinary, with flavors that stand out from the crowd, sure to leave a lasting impression from the very first bite.
The Gangs. Image: Compiled
3.6. Barbos Chicken
Korean cuisine, besides famous dishes like kimbap, kimchi, and tteokbokki, also features cheese chicken as a must-try dish. The cheese chicken at Barbos is not only delicious but also carries the unique flavor of the restaurant. The chicken here is super tasty, fresh, tender, not greasy, with spices that are perfectly balanced between sour and sweet. The melted cheese is superbly creamy. Additionally, Barbos Chicken's menu won't disappoint you with delicious options like spicy pumpkin cheese chicken, garlic butter potatoes, various soups, and French fries.
Barbos Chicken. Image: Compiled
3.7. Thieu Ky Noodle House
Thieu Ky Noodle House on Le Dai Hanh Street has been open for over 70 years and never closes even during holidays. The eatery is famous for its handmade noodles, made entirely from duck eggs, flour, and special Chinese lye water. This lye water makes the noodles chewy, crispy, and easy to pull. The broth is rich, with a sweet and savory flavor from natural bone broth, accompanied by char siu and dumplings. Here, you can choose between dry noodles and noodle soup to your liking.
Thieu Ky Noodle House. Image: Compiled
With your destinations and dining options in hand, I wish you a warm and joyful Lunar New Year season in Saigon!
