Vietnam vs Thailand: Where to Experience The Best Cultural Festivals?

While Vietnam vs Thailand are both renowned for their cultural festival, the spirit and nature of celebrations in these two Southeast Asian nations differ significantly. Let’s go through this detailed comparison to gain insights into the characteristics that set each country’s festivals apart!

Cultural Festivals in Vietnam

Lunar New Year

• When it occurs: Beginning of Vietnam Lunar New Year
• Where to enjoy: Hanoi, Vietnam

As a means of honoring and celebrating one’s ancestry and culture, festivals are very important in Vietnamese culture. The most significant celebration is Tet Nguyen Dan, marking the Lunar New Year, when the entire country comes to a standstill as businesses and schools close their doors. 

This cherished time centers around family reunions, with people traveling far and wide to return home. Cleaning the house thoroughly, putting up extravagant decorations, and cooking a lot are all part of getting ready. 

Several customs mark this period, such as the belief in the significance of the first visitor of the year, exchanging New Year greetings, paying respects to ancestors, and the beloved tradition of “Li Xi” ( presenting lucky money to children and elders). During this time, people make their way to temples and visit relatives to seek blessings for the coming year.

Hung King Temple Festival

• When it occurs: 8th – 11th day of lunar March
• Where to enjoy: Hung Temple (Co Tich Village, Hy Cuong Commune, Phong Chau District, Phu Tho Province)

Another remarkable celebration is the Hung King Temple Festival, a nationally recognized event taking place in Phu Tho province to honor Vietnam’s founding fathers. This cultural festival draws both domestic and international Vietnamese to the main temple atop Nghia Linh mountain. 

The festivities come alive with traditional entertainment including human chess matches, bamboo swing rides, cooking contests, and vibrant lion dances. A particularly moving moment occurs during the procession to the Upper Temple, which brings together government officials, local residents, and tourists in a unified celebration of Vietnamese heritage.

Perfume Pagoda Festival

• When it occurs: 6th of lunar January until March
• Where to enjoy: Perfume Pagoda (Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi)

The spiritual significance of Vietnamese festivals is perhaps best exemplified by the Perfume Pagoda Festival. Located amid stunning mountain scenery and verdant rice paddons, this famous site attracts countless visitors from across the country. Pilgrims can either brave the 120 stone steps or opt for a more comfortable cable car ride to reach the pagoda. 

Throughout the three-month festival period, the temple shimmers with decorative garlands and golden ornaments. Tourists seek out the Huong Tich Cave in the hopes that touching its rocky walls would give them a wish for children and that touching its precious metal formations will bring them wealth.

Mid-Autumn Festival

• When it occurs: 14th – 15th day of lunar August
• Where to enjoy: Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi or Hoi An Ancient Town

The Mid-Autumn Festival brings particular joy to Vietnamese children, who eagerly anticipate this special celebration known locally as “Tet Trung Thu”. While shared with other Asian nations, Vietnam has developed its own distinctive traditions for this occasion. Weeks before the event, streets come crowded with practicing lion dance troupes, while markets overflow with mooncakes, traditional lanterns, and decorative masks.

At the cultural festival’s peak, so many families flood the streets that locations like Hang Ma street and Hoi An’s riverfront become centers of music, performance, and pure childhood delight.

Wandering Souls Day

• When it occurs: 15th night of lunar July
• Where to enjoy: Hue City, Vietnam

The month of Wandering Souls Day reflects Vietnam’s deep spiritual beliefs and respect for the deceased. According to tradition, the seventh lunar month brings potential misfortune as restless spirits roam freely. 

The fifteenth day of this month holds particular importance as it’s believed to be the only time when lost souls, especially those without families or who died in hunger, can receive nourishment. To prevent these spirits from causing mischief, people across Vietnam make offerings and burn votive papers. Religious sites also become particularly active during this period as worshippers bring offerings of food, clothing, and various items to appease these wandering spirits.

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Cultural Festivals in Thailand

Chinese New Year

• When it occurs: First day of Chinese New Year (between 21 January and 20 February)
• Where to enjoy: Yaowaraj, Bangkok (the Chinatown of Bangkok)

Thailand’s cultural landscape is enriched by its diverse celebrations, starting with the vibrant Chinese New Year festivities that reflect the country’s significant Chinese heritage. This spring festival transforms Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yarowaraj) into a spectacular display of cultural pride, featuring energetic dragon and lion performances, colorful processions, and an abundance of traditional street cuisine. 

Visitors are encouraged to embrace the tradition by wearing red garments and offering New Year greetings in either Mandarin (“Gong Xi Fa Cai”) or Cantonese (“Gong Hey Fat Choy”). Events outside of the city may be seen at popular tourist spots, including Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, and Phuket, particularly around Chinese temples.

Songkran Water Festival (Thai New Year)

• When it occurs: 13th – 15th April 
• Where to enjoy: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui

Perhaps Thailand’s most anticipated event is Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration that has evolved into a nationwide water festival. As a national water holiday, Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration that many Thais look forward to. This custom has its roots in the 13th-century Buddhist ritual of lightly misting pictures of the Buddha to wash away the evils of the past year. 

Nowadays, it’s more like a wild water party where everyone, from residents to tourists, is invited to join in the fun. Everyone is asked to remember to honor the religious meaning of the cultural festival, even though the celebrations can get rather rowdy. It is recommended that anyone attending the festivities wear colorful, flowered shirts instead of swimsuits, use protective eyewear, and exercise caution when using electrical gadgets.

Boon Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)

• When it occurs: Second weekend in May 
• Where to enjoy: Different parts of Isan region (the most famous is Yasothon Province)

In the northeastern region of Isan, the farming communities celebrate the unique Boon Bang Fai, or Rocket Festival, marking the onset of the rainy season. This pre-planting celebration brings villages together for a festive combination of musical performances, dancing, pageantry, and homemade rocket competitions. The celebration comes to a close with a magnificent show of rockets being assessed by their height, distance, and the attractiveness of their vapor trails, while huge portions of local rice wine are served.

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival

• When it occurs: July (exact dates vary from year to year)
• Where to enjoy: Thung Si Mueang Park (central Ubon Ratchathani)

The spiritual essence of Thai culture is beautifully showcased during the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, another significant celebration in the Isan region. This cultural festival coincides with two important Buddhist observances: Asanha Puja and Wan Kao Pansa, the latter marking the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent. 

The highlight of this celebration is an elaborate parade featuring massive floats adorned with intricately carved candles depicting scenes from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Afterwards, the artistic works are then showcased and eventually housed in nearby temples. The celebration can’t come to an end without traditional music, dance, and community feasting.

Loy Krathong Festival

• When it occurs: Full moon night of lunar December (usually November) 
• Where to enjoy: Chiang Mai

The calendar of Thai festivals reaches another highlight with Loy Krathong, the enchanting Festival of Lights that rivals Songkran in cultural importance. As darkness falls, people gather around waterways to release illuminated krathongs (floating vessels) as offerings to the water goddess. These small boats carry both candlelight and people’s hopes, with the belief that a long-burning candle promises good fortune for the coming year. 

Similar ceremonies occur nationwide along various waterways, but Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River hosts the grandest celebrations with boat processions and fireworks. Environmentally conscious participants are increasingly choosing traditional biodegradable materials for their krathongs, moving away from modern plastic alternatives to preserve Thailand’s natural beauty.

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Vietnam vs Thailand: Festival Comparison

Cultural Significance

• Vietnam: Vietnamese festivals primarily celebrate family bonds, ancestral reverence, and historical heritage, with events like Tet and the Hung King Temple Festival emphasizing the preservation of traditional values across generations. 

• Thailand: Thai festivals place greater emphasis on community participation and spiritual renewal, as seen in celebrations like Loy Krathong and Songkran where entire communities come together in shared cultural festival experiences. 

Festival Atmosphere 

• Vietnam: Vietnamese celebrations, particularly Tet, maintain a more formal and intimate atmosphere, with carefully observed traditions and family-centered activities taking precedence. 

• Thailand: Thai festivals embrace a more dynamic and inclusive environment, exemplified by Songkran’s nationwide water festivities that encourage spontaneous participation from both locals and visitors. 

Best Time to Visit

• Vietnam: Plan a visit during Tet (January/February) or the Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October) to embrace the richest cultural experience. But, expect higher prices during Tet and prepare for 3-7 day business closures nationwide.

• Thailand: Experience the most rewarding cultural festival periods during Songkran (April) or Loy Krathong (November).

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Travel Tips for Experiencing Cultural Festivals

• Smart Planning: When preparing for festival travel in Vietnam and Thailand, early preparation is crucial for securing accommodations and event tickets, particularly during peak festival seasons. Making reservations months in advance not only ensures better prices but also gives you more options to choose from.
• Cultural Mindfulness: Understanding and respecting local traditions is important to enrich your festival experience, so take time to research appropriate behavior, dress codes, and cultural norms before your trip. For instance, in Vietnamese temples during Tet, it’s important to dress modestly and remove your shoes, while during Thai Songkran, wearing respectful clothing even during water fights shows cultural sensitivity.
• Safety First: Safety should be a top priority when navigating festival crowds, so keep your valuables secure and stay alert in bustling areas. Consider using a money belt or anti-theft bag, and keep emergency contact numbers handy, including local police and your embassy’s contact information.
• Festival-Ready Packing: Your packing list should be tailored to the specific cultural festival you’re attending – bring light, breathable clothing for Songkran, formal wear for Tet celebrations,… It’s also wise to pack a small first-aid kit, portable charger, and any personal medications you might need during your stay.
• Health and Hydration: Staying properly hydrated is essential, especially during outdoor festivals in Southeast Asia’s tropical climate, so carry a reusable water bottle and take regular breaks in shaded areas. Consider bringing electrolyte packets and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, as the combination of heat, humidity, and festival activities can quickly lead to dehydration.

Why Choose Asia Trip Deals for Your Cultural Festival Tour

• Tailored Festival Tours: Asia Trip Deals specializes in creating immersive festival experiences through thoughtfully designed tour packages. The itineraries are carefully timed to coincide with major celebrations, while also  including exclusive access to intimate local festivities and traditional ceremonies. The design is all based on travelers’ preferences, the 
• Expert Guidance: Asia Trip Deals is proud to have one of the few teams of local specialists that know the terrain thoroughly, thanks to our fifteen years of expertise. These passionate cultural ambassadors also share personal stories and deep knowledge of cultural festival traditions, which helps travelers understand the rich meanings behind each celebration. 
• Seamless Experience: The hallmark of Asia Trip Deals’ service is comprehensive logistical support that eliminates travel-related stress. The company takes care of all details – from securing prime festival-period accommodations to arranging convenient transportation between venues. With 24/7 support and attention to special requirements during festival times, guests can focus entirely on enjoying the cultural experiences rather than worrying about practical arrangements.

While Vietnam celebrates its cultural heritage through intimate family-centered festivals and Thailand embraces community-wide spiritual celebrations with dynamic public participation, both nations offer uniquely enriching cultural festival experiences that are well worth exploring. Provided that you feel overwhelmed by planning or unfamiliar with these countries’ cultural nuances, connect now as Asia Trip Deals stands ready to make your customized trip a dream come true.