Every February, Phnom Penh and beyond shimmer under red lanterns as Cambodia welcomes the Lunar New Year—known as “Tet” in Vietnamese, and celebrated with equal fervor just across the border in Ha Tien, Vietnam.
A celebration both ancient and delightfully local, it blends centuries-old traditions with Khmer warmth and Vietnamese cultural connections. From temple smoke to roast pork platters and pineapple offerings, here’s how the Cambodia-Vietnam border region greets the Lunar New Year—with fireworks, fortune, and fragrant fish!
Introduction: A Festival Shared Across Borders
If you happen to stroll through Phnom Penh’s Chinese quarters or Kampot’s riverside markets in late January or February, you’ll notice an immediate shift in the air. The markets glow red, the sound of firecrackers ricochets between shopfronts, and incense clouds curl through narrow streets. Cross the border to Ha Tien, Vietnam, and you’ll find the same festive atmosphere amplified—this is Lunar New Year season, and the entire region celebrates together.
This article explores how this ancient celebration finds its unique expression in Cambodia and neighboring Vietnam. Whether you’re a traveler curious about local culture, an expat planning to join festivities, or someone tracing heritage through Teochew, Hokkien, or Vietnamese roots, you’ll find here both insight and inspiration. Expect history, flavors, rituals—and a pinch of humor between the dragons.
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, called Tet Nguyen Dan (or simply “Tet”) in Vietnamese and Chol Chhnam Chin (ចូលឆ្នាំចិន) in Khmer, marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. While often called “Chinese New Year” in Western media, it’s more accurately the “Lunar New Year” as it’s celebrated by many cultures across East and Southeast Asia—including Vietnamese, Koreans, Tibetans, Mongolians, and communities throughout Cambodia, Laos, and beyond.
In Cambodia and Vietnam, this celebration represents a beautiful cultural crossroads where ancient traditions meet modern hospitality, making the Cambodia-Vietnam border region a fascinating place to experience the festival from multiple perspectives.
A Brief History of Lunar New Year Traditions in Cambodia
Chinese and Vietnamese migration to Cambodia has centuries of history, flourishing especially during the Angkor and early post-Angkor periods through trade routes across the South China Sea. By the 19th century, communities of Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hainanese settlers had become firmly woven into Cambodian society, alongside Vietnamese communities who settled primarily in the Mekong Delta border regions.
Today, most Cambodian families with Chinese or Vietnamese ancestry are thoroughly Khmer in identity—but still honor their ancestral festivals with affection and fine cooking. Lunar New Year remains one of their most cherished occasions. Even many Khmer families with distant Chinese or Vietnamese ancestry join the festivities. Think of it as Cambodia’s unofficial “third New Year,” following the international one and preceding Khmer New Year in April.
Cross-Border Cultural Connections:
The proximity of Cambodia’s southern provinces (especially Kampot, Kep, and Ha Tien border areas) to Vietnam creates a unique cultural blend. Vietnamese families in Cambodia celebrate Tet with traditional customs, while Cambodians near the border often participate in both Khmer and Vietnamese New Year traditions. This makes the border region—particularly around Ha Tien—a fascinating place to experience the festival’s regional variations.
The Countdown: Preparations Before the New Year
Cleaning, Decorating, and Remembering Ancestors
A week before the New Year, families sweep out bad luck—literally. Houses are cleaned, debts settled, and altars refreshed. Red paper cut-outs bloom on doorways with auspicious phrases promising happiness (福 fú), prosperity (祿 lù), and longevity (壽 shòu). Phnom Penh’s markets, such as Orussey and Central Market, brim with red envelopes, gold effigies, and mountains of mandarins.
In Vietnam’s Ha Tien: The preparation takes on distinctly Vietnamese character with banh chung (square sticky rice cakes) being prepared days in advance, peach blossoms (hoa dao) adorning homes, and families visiting temples along the border region. Ha Tien’s markets explode with Tet specialties—candied fruits, watermelon seeds, and traditional Vietnamese confections alongside Cambodian favorites.
On the last day before the New Year, families prepare food for their ancestors: roasted ducks, whole fish, noodles, and traditional pastries. This ancestor ceremony isn’t solemn—it’s a family reunion across generations, with incense smoke serving as the timeless messenger.
The Lucky Colors of the Season
Forget pastel tones—Lunar New Year thrives on brilliance. Red dominates for luck, gold for wealth, and the occasional sprig of green for vitality. In Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar peninsula, Battambang’s streets, or across the border in Ha Tien’s waterfront district, homes glow like miniature temples of fortune. Even motorbikes sport lucky ribbons.
Vietnamese Tet Color Tradition: Vietnamese families add yellow marigolds and apricot blossoms to the red-and-gold palette, creating a warm, sun-kissed atmosphere that’s particularly visible in Ha Tien’s Dong Ho Lake area.
The Big Day: Welcoming the Lunar Year
A Region Painted in Red and Gold
When midnight strikes, the Cambodia-Vietnam border region erupts. Firecrackers crackle across Phnom Penh’s skyline and Ha Tien’s waterfront (with variable legality in both countries), and neighborhood altars flicker with candles. The first breakfast of the year is symbolic—often noodles for longevity or dumplings for wealth in Cambodian households, while Vietnamese families prefer banh chung with pickled vegetables.
Unique Border Tradition: Families living near the Cambodia-Vietnam border often celebrate twice—once on the Cambodian side with Chinese-Khmer traditions, and again across the border in Ha Tien with Vietnamese Tet customs. This double celebration has become a cherished tradition for many expats and mixed-heritage families.
The Art of Greeting and Gifting
From early morning, one hears cheerful greetings:
- In Cambodia: “Happy New Year!” or “Chol Chhnam Chin Thmey!”
- In Vietnam: “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!” (Happy New Year) or “Chúc Năm Mới An Khang Thịnh Vượng!” (Wishing you peace and prosperity)
Red envelopes (ang pao in Khmer, li xi in Vietnamese) are distributed to children and elders alike, with affectionate teasing rather than solemn ritual. One common regional twist: in border areas, envelopes might contain both Cambodian Riel and Vietnamese Dong, reflecting the area’s cross-border character.
Senses of the Celebration: Food, Sound, and Spirit
Feasting Like a Dragon: Cambodian and Vietnamese Tables
Food is naturally the star, and the Cambodia-Vietnam border region offers a unique fusion feast:
In Cambodia:
Lunar New Year tables marry Cantonese flair with Khmer comfort. Pork belly glazed in soy and honey sits alongside somlor machu, the sour Khmer soup. The fish is never entirely eaten—leaving a portion symbolizes surplus for the year ahead. Dumplings and spring rolls abound, but you might also spot sticky rice rolls that mirror the pyramidal zongzi yet taste distinctly Cambodian.
In Vietnam (Ha Tien):
Vietnamese Tet tables feature:
- Banh chung (square sticky rice cakes with pork and mung beans)
- Thit kho (braised pork and eggs in coconut water)
- Pickled vegetables (dua hanh, cu kieu)
- Fresh spring rolls with herbs
- Mut (candied fruits: ginger, coconut, lotus seeds)
- Ha Tien specialties: pepper crab, fermented fish dishes
Ha Tien Vegas Resort Tet Celebrations:
For travelers seeking a premium Lunar New Year experience, Ha Tien Vegas Resort (just 45km from Kampot, Cambodia) offers spectacular Tet festivities:
- Special Tet Buffet: International cuisine featuring both Cambodian and Vietnamese Lunar New Year specialties
- Tet Decoration: Elaborate Vietnamese mai (apricot blossom) and dao (peach blossom) displays
- Lucky Draw Casino Events: Special Tet gaming promotions with red envelope prizes
Sounds of Celebration
Lion dances surge back to life from early morning on both sides of the border. Drums thunder, cymbals clash, and the papier-mâché lions—often with an extra flourish of Khmer or Vietnamese sparkle—parade past homes and businesses. Each dance promises to sweep away evil spirits. Children squeal in delight as the lion “eats” its envelope reward.
At Ha Tien Vegas: The resort hosts elaborate lion dance performances with professional troupes from both Cambodia and Vietnam, creating a spectacular fusion show that tours the casino floor, restaurants, and outdoor spaces.
Beyond Phnom Penh: Regional and Cross-Border Celebrations
Lunar New Year is not an official public holiday in Cambodia, but it almost feels like one. Schools thin out, shops shorten hours, and pagodas hum with offerings. Even Khmer Buddhists take advantage of the mood to visit temples, lighting incense for good fortune.
Provincial Celebrations
Kampot Province:
- Chinese-Vietnamese communities celebrate along the riverside
- Special Tet menus at restaurants
- Easy day trip to Ha Tien (45km) for Vietnamese Tet atmosphere
Battambang:
- Chinese temples become lively hubs of devotion
- Traditional opera performances
- Street food stalls with Lunar New Year specialties
Sihanoukville:
- Beach resorts host Lunar New Year parties
- Casino celebrations (smaller scale than Ha Tien Vegas)
Phnom Penh:
- Wat Phnom’s nearby shrine to Ma Zu attracts worshippers
- Chinatown (around Tuol Tom Pong) bursts with activity
- Lion dances through Old Market area
Ha Tien, Vietnam: The Cross-Border Tet Destination
Why Ha Tien is Perfect for Lunar New Year Celebrations:
- Authentic Vietnamese Tet Experience (just 1 hour from Kampot)
- Ha Tien Vegas Resort Premium Facilities
- Scenic Celebrations at Mui Nai Beach and Dong Ho Lake
- Night Market Tet Atmosphere with Vietnamese street food
- Visa Run Opportunity timed with festive season
Practical Guide: Celebrating Lunar New Year in Cambodia and Ha Tien
Dates for 2026
Lunar New Year 2026 begins on February 17, 2026 and ushers in the Year of the Horse.
Important Dates:
- February 16: New Year’s Eve (biggest celebrations)
- February 17: Lunar New Year Day
- February 18-19: Family visiting days
- February 20-March 3: Extended celebration period (15 days)
Where to Experience Authentic Celebrations
In Cambodia:
- Phnom Penh Chinatown: Around Tuol Tom Pong Market
- Kampot Riverside: Chinese-Vietnamese community areas
- Battambang Chinese Temples: Traditional ceremonies
- Sihanoukville: Beach resort celebrations
In Vietnam (Ha Tien Area):
- Ha Tien Vegas Resort: Premium resort celebrations with casino
- Dong Ho Lake: Scenic morning prayers and lantern releases
- Ha Tien Night Market: Street food and Tet shopping
- Mui Nai Beach: Beach ceremonies and family gatherings
- Thach Dong Pagoda: Temple blessings and incense offerings
Cross-Border Travel Tips
Cambodia to Ha Tien:
- Border: Ha Tien – Prek Chak (open 7 AM – 7 PM)
- Distance from Kampot: 45km (1 hour)
- Visa requirements: Vietnamese e-visa or visa on arrival
- Currency: Both USD and VND accepted in Ha Tien
- Transport: Taxi ($30-40), shared van ($10-15), private car ($50-70)
During Tet Period:
- Border may be busier with returning Vietnamese workers
- Some businesses closed on New Year Day (but Ha Tien Vegas operates 24/7)
- Book accommodation in advance
Conclusion: A Festival Without Borders
Lunar New Year in Cambodia—and across the border in Vietnam’s Ha Tien—is more than a borrowed celebration. It’s a symphony of cultural coexistence where Chinese elegance, Vietnamese tradition, and Khmer warmth create a festival both radiant and inclusive.
Whether you’re savoring roast duck in Battambang, watching lion dancers leap through Phnom Penh’s alleys, or gaming in Ha Tien Vegas Resort’s casino while dragons perform overhead, you’re witnessing the region at its convivial best: where ancient ritual meets tropical joy, and the Year of the Horse arrives with delicious optimism.
For travelers seeking the ultimate Lunar New Year experience, the Cambodia-Vietnam border region offers unparalleled diversity: start with traditional temple visits in Kampot, cross to Ha Tien for authentic Vietnamese Tet atmosphere, indulge in premium resort celebrations at Ha Tien Vegas, and end with fireworks over the Gulf of Thailand. This is Lunar New Year—or Tet—as it was meant to be experienced: borderless, joyous, and absolutely unforgettable.
Ha Tien Vegas: Your Lunar New Year Destination
Located just 45km from Kampot and 8km from Ha Tien city center, Ha Tien Vegas Resort has become the premier cross-border destination for Lunar New Year celebrations in the Cambodia-Vietnam region.
Why Choose Ha Tien Vegas for Tet 2026:
✓ 24/7 Casino Gaming – Legal, international-standard casino with Tet lucky draws
✓ Spectacular Cultural Performances – Professional dragon dances and Vietnamese traditional shows
✓ Premium Accommodation – 4-5 star rooms with festive Tet decorations
✓ Authentic Tet Dining – Vietnamese chefs prepare traditional Tet feasts
✓ Family-Friendly Activities – Kids’ Tet games, lantern-making, calligraphy
✓ Cross-Border Convenience – Easy access from Kampot, Kep, or Sihanoukville
✓ Complete Entertainment Complex – Karaoke, spa, nightclub, multiple restaurants
✓ Beach Access – 15 minutes to Mui Nai Beach for Tet beach ceremonies
Sources & Further Reading
Asia Society: Lunar New Year Across Southeast Asia – Comparative guide to celebrations from Vietnam to Singapore
Vietnam Tourism: Tet Nguyen Dan – Official guide to Vietnamese Lunar New Year traditions
Khmer Times (Festival Features) – Annual features on Lunar New Year events in Phnom Penh and provincial towns
Lonely Planet Cambodia & Vietnam – Up-to-date travel tips for visiting during major festivals
Ha Tien Tourism Board – Information on Tet celebrations in Ha Tien and Kien Giang Province
About the Author
This article has been adapted for cross-border travelers seeking authentic Lunar New Year (Tet) experiences in Cambodia and Vietnam. The original content explores Asian cultures, traditions, and the intersections between local and diasporic identities across Southeast Asia.
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