There are Lunar New Year celebrations that do not begin with the thunderous sound of firecrackers, but rather originate from the moment the car departs the city. As high-rise buildings fade into the rearview mirror and the noise of traffic thins out, yielding to the wind and vast open skies, the journey of a “Leisurely Tet” begins. Instead of confining oneself to the familiar cycle of daily worries, this year offers a different choice: a spring voyage together on smooth roads. There is no pressure of a strict itinerary, nor a rush to reach destinations; there is only spring sunshine warming the path and nature guiding the rhythm of life for a prosperous new year.
Spring Sunshine Brings the Nostalgia of Tet
Leaving Saigon in the days approaching Tet, the scenery shifts its rhythm ever so gently. Flanking the roads, lush green dragon fruit gardens stretch out, interspersed with the red and gold hues of ripening fruit—a signal that spring has touched every corner. In Mui Ne, the fishing village wakes early. Basket boats rest together on the sand, fishing nets glisten with dew, and the scent of fresh seafood blends with the ocean breeze. Adults silently watch the rhythmic waves, feeling their hearts lighten with the tide. Children are eager for these rare sights—a version of Tet very distinct from the familiar city.
Mui Ne welcomes visitors in the early days of the year with generous sunshine and a clear wind carrying the salty essence of the sea. Amidst this setting, Anantara Mui Ne Resort emerges as a natural respite. Its semi-classical Asian architecture, defined by terracotta tones and warm wood, soothes the soul.
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family strolls along the golden sand, welcoming the first rays of sun and the fresh blessings of the Year of the Horse (Bính Ngọ). A cozy lunch follows with a menu spanning three regions—Northern, Central, and Southern flavors converging in the first meal of the year as a mosaic of reunion. As afternoon falls, the atmosphere of Tets past rushes back; the joyous sound of lion dances fills the air, and an elderly calligrapher gracefully moves his brush across red paper. The family gathers to wrap cakes and pick lucky buds, while children busy themselves making cards and folding red envelopes. Adults feel as though they are reliving the Tet seasons of old, when they were still with their grandparents and parents ; meanwhile, the children gain a beautiful spring memory in their lives.
On New Year’s Eve and the early days of the year, the scent of the hearth, wrapped cakes, and Tet permeates the space. There are warm dinners featuring the familiar flavors of hometown cuisine , and lively evenings with live music and buffets to offer the family a change of atmosphere. Cocktail parties inspired by regional flavors during the sunset hours provide a time to relax and enjoy the spring atmosphere drifting into the night. Mui Ne in these early days is just so—simple, warm, and peaceful.
Ninh Van – Seclusion for Greater Connection
Leaving Mui Ne, the spring journey continues with a transition of a very different nature. After more than three hours of travel, leaving the mainland and stepping onto a boat, the vast, calm waters of Ninh Van Bay open up before the eyes. Salty winds wrap around, and the sound of waves lapping against the hull serves as a greeting. The preoccupations of urban life recede accordingly.
L’Alya Ninh Van Bay appears like a village hidden amidst the forest, streams, and sea. Isolated, pristine, and tranquil, Tet here does not carry the spirit of a boisterous festival, but rather a state of return: Returning to one another. It is a return to nature, and to the simple things easily forgotten in the pace of daily life.
Mornings begin with a light trekking journey to explore the island. Parents and children cross dew-soaked rocks together, listening to the stream trickling amidst the deep green space. The cool water touching the skin feels like a ritual for luck at the start of the year, washing away old fatigue to welcome new blessings. In such moments, phones or iPads can no longer hold one’s attention. There is only laughter, intimate conversations, and the feeling of being fully present with one another.
As afternoon descends, a traditional Tet atmosphere is rustically recreated in the common area. Everyone joins in wrapping cakes, making jams, molding tò he (dough figurines), and playing folk games. These are small activities, yet they form precious pieces of a child’s youth.
When night falls, a Tet dinner or a seafood BBQ is set up at the villa, in a private space overlooking the calm lagoon. The waves lap outside, and the forest trees rustle, playing a spring melody. There are nameless emotions that silently anchor themselves deep in memory. L’Alya does not offer a vibrant vacation; instead, it gifts families something far more valuable: quality time together. It is a Tet where children have warm memories with their parents, and adults truly find rest.
Nha Trang – A Gentle Bridge Back to the City
After the wild Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang acts as a soft buffer, gradually guiding travelers back to the urban rhythm. The coastal city is not overly noisy during Tet; mornings feature the gentle sound of waves along Tran Phu Street, sparse traffic, and the scent of roasting coffee drifting from small shops opening early—just lively enough to feel the pulse of spring flowing.
Amidst this city rhythm, Potique Hotel is located in the center, convenient for strolling, yet it retains a unique quietude. The Indochine architecture is warm, with lines intersecting French and South Central styles that evoke nostalgia, bringing the Tet of the past back in a new spirit.
In the early days of the year, right within Potique’s space, a traditional culinary market is rustically recreated. Stalls of country cakes, Tet jams, and rustic dishes radiate familiar scents, evoking memories of the bustling Tet markets of childhood. Without needing to travel far, one can still leisurely stroll the market, taste the myriad flavors of Tet, and feel the presence of spring in every moment.
If one does not wish to leave the hotel, every family member still has their own space to enjoy. Adults relax with herbal treatments at Sen Spa ; children play at the private club or frolic freely in the cool waters of the rooftop pool. One afternoon, upon returning from a walk, a portion of country cakes fragrant with leaves is already waiting on the table. Each day brings a different flavor accompanied by small wishes, warming the heart with sophistication and thoughtfulness.
Dinner becomes a rendezvous for the whole family; a steaming lobster hotpot spreads the natural sweetness of the sea—warm and harmonious, as if gathering the entire ocean into the first meal of the year. When the city lights up, the rooftop bar is the ideal place to close the long day with a light drink, watching Nha Trang soften from above. Potique is a charming note to conclude the trip before returning to the distant city in a renewed spirit.
A leisurely Tet is not about going very far or doing very much. Sometimes, it is simply the familiar sun and wind of Mui Ne, the peaceful bay and forest of Ninh Van, and then the approachable coastal city of Nha Trang—each place with its own rhythm—blending into a wholesome Tet. It is a journey not just to travel for spring, but to be together more, so that the new year begins with a very gentle sense of fullness.
