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Going on a business trip during Tet in Ho Chi Minh City doesn’t mean you have to stay in your hotel all day. The city offers many quick and convenient experiences that fit your work schedule. Even if you only have a few hours of free time, you can still enjoy the festive Tet atmosphere in a relaxed way. If you’re staying near the airport, getting to the city center is even easier. From there, you can conveniently visit Saigon’s top Tet attractions whenever you have a break in your agenda.
Independence Palace is an ideal choice for a gentle morning during Tet. The spacious grounds, walking paths, and green spaces help you recharge before starting your workday. Inside, visitors can explore the architecture and historical exhibition rooms that are tied to the city’s formation.
During Tet, the area in front of the palace is often filled with families and young people wearing traditional áo dài for photos, creating a vibrant spring scene and festive atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City.
Recommended time: 8:00 – 9:30
The palace is open throughout Tet, making it a suitable spot for business travelers seeking a compact morning visit.
The 2026 Binh Ngo Vietnamese Tet Festival takes place from February 1st to 21st at the Youth Cultural House. It’s one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most accessible Tet events for visitors with just a few free hours. The venue is decorated in Southern Vietnamese New Year style, with yellow apricot flower streets, spring miniatures, and displays recalling familiar images such as the New Year’s bamboo pole, spring hearth, straw stacks, and village wells.
The “calligraphy street” draws crowds seeking traditional calligraphy and auspicious New Year wishes. This activity expresses hopes for good luck and success, perfect for anyone who wants to start the new year with tradition.
During Tet, Book Street is usually decorated with spring themes, combining book stalls, souvenir shops, and cafés along the promenade. Visitors can pause to browse, read a few pages in the open air, or capture memorable early-year moments.
This activity can easily be combined with nearby attractions like Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Nguyen Hue Flower Street, or the Youth Cultural House if you have additional time during the day.
The Ben Thanh Market area features numerous stalls selling Tet sweets, coffee, handicrafts, and signature Ho Chi Minh City products—perfect for picking up small gifts after your business trip.
You can make a quick 30–45 minute tour, soak up the bustling Tet shopping vibe, and observe how locals kick off the new year.
Ho Chi Minh City Photography Street is a new destination for the city in early 2026. This quiet avenue features numerous outdoor photography displays, perfect for leisurely walks and observing city life through the lens of art.
The nearby exhibition house further enhances the experience with documentaries and archival films about Ho Chi Minh City. This is a suitable suggestion for business travelers needing a short, flexible activity in their itinerary.
The 2026 Binh Ngo Tet Nguyen Hue Flower Street opens from 7:00 PM on February 15th to 9:00 PM on February 22nd and is a favorite spring destination for both visitors and locals. The Binh Ngo Horse mascot is featured throughout themed displays, along with many Tet miniatures arranged along the pedestrian street.
During the day, it’s a great place to admire flowers and take photos; at night, the area transforms into a dazzling light show with Mapping and AR, offering visitors a unique visual experience.
The Chào Show is a Vietnamese folk music performance presented in a modern concert style, perfect for business travelers and international visitors looking to discover Vietnamese culture in the evening. The music is performed on a modern stage with visuals and lighting for a more accessible introduction to traditional music.
A highlight of the program is the tasting of eight regional appetizer dishes, giving audiences a deeper sense of culture through cuisine.
Showtime: 19:15 – 21:00
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday
Spending an evening on a dinner cruise is an ideal choice if you wish to relax after a workday. Cruising along the Saigon River lets you enjoy the city’s night lights. Many programs serve dinner onboard, making it convenient for those who want to combine dining and sightseeing in a single itinerary.
Depending on the program, you can enjoy live music, watch performances, or listen to a DJ. Each trip typically lasts one to three hours in the evening, suitable for business travelers seeking a compact experience that requires minimal preparation.
If you prefer not to travel far at night, dining or enjoying cocktails right at your hotel is a convenient, easy-to-arrange option. Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport offers an International Seafood Buffet Extravaganza with a wide range of seafood and hot dishes, ideal for a relaxing dinner after a day of moving around.
For guests with meetings the next day, consider the Business Set Lunch or Vietnamese Morning Delights, both designed to support your business itinerary while ensuring a nutritious meal.
This is a fitting choice for visitors who want to enjoy a simple, comfortable evening during Tet holiday.
Even with a tight business schedule, you can experience Tet in Ho Chi Minh City in a leisurely and proactive way. The city offers many short activities that are easy to fit into spare moments, allowing you to fully explore the springtime spirit.
Instead of stressing over each place to visit, it’s more important to choose accommodation that supports easy commuting and scheduling during the early days of the new year. Staying at a conveniently located hotel with suitable services makes it easier to combine business with exploring Saigon’s Tet celebrations.
This is why many business travelers prefer hotels near the airport like the Holiday Inn Saigon, maintaining flexibility throughout their trip.