Halloween in Vietnam - How is it different from Vietnamese Ghost Month

Ghosts, ghouls and lanterns - Halloween has arrived in Vietnam in a big way, with a local twist. Over the past decade, Hanoi and Saigon have embraced All Hallows’ Eve, turning it into a vibrant fusion of spooky fun and Vietnamese culture. By late October, you’ll see streets decked in jack-o’-lanterns and paper ghosts.

Young locals dress up in costumes (zombies, superheroes, you name it) and head to parties, even though Halloween isn’t an official Vietnamese festival.

Vietnam has one of the best Halloween parties, surprising ain’t it?

How to Get There

Halloween in Vietnam isn’t tied to a single location as it’s city wide. The biggest events happen in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

• Hanoi: The Old Quarter and its Ta Hien “beer street” area become party central. You can fly into Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and take a taxi (about 40 minutes to the city center). Or an overnight train from Hue/Da Nang.
  
  Once in town, most Halloween goers head to the West Lake district or Hoan Kiem Lake area. Hang Ma Street (near Dong Xuan Market) transforms into a decorated haunt.

• Ho Chi Minh City: Tan Son Nhat Airport connects you easily, or a 7-hour train from Hanoi. In Saigon, everyone flocks to Bui Vien Walking Street (the backpacker bar area) and Nguyen Hue walking mall.
  
  Download and use Grab app and avoid driving your own bike (rented?) as parking will be tricky. Just beware of crowds on Oct 31st, though.

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

This Spooky Street Decor During Halloween Is Super Creative

• Spooky Street Decor: In the weeks leading up, shops and cafes bedeck shopfronts with black bunting, papier-mache ghosts, and carved pumpkins.
  Hang Ma Street in Hanoi is famous for its orange-and-black theme and eerie puppets. It feels like a mini haunted village in the heart of the Old Quarter.

• Costume Parties: Both expat bars and local clubs throw themed nights. Popular Hanoi spots include craft beer bars on West Lake or Ta Hien for funkier crowds.
  In Saigon, don’t miss Bui Vien Street’s bar crawl - everyone’s in elaborate costumes (we spotted everything from lolitas to horror villains). Late-night rain or not, the vibe is electric.
  

Old Halloween Memorabilia

• Halloween Attractions: Some theme parks and attractions join the fun. For instance, VinWonders amusement park on Phu Quoc often has Halloween events blending traditional Vietnamese elements with haunted house rides.
  In Hanoi, don’t skip a visit to the Quang Ba Flower Market early on Oct 31 - while not a Halloween thing, it’s a local tradition to buy marigolds for Ghost Month offerings. Just nearby, several churches and hotels host charity costume balls (check event calendars for each year).

• Culinary Treats: Bakeries and street vendors whip up Halloween-themed treats - black-tinted banh mi, pumpkin mooncakes, ghost-shaped cookies. Ho Chi Minh City’s popular markets set up stalls selling “Halloween candy” for the kids (mostly lollipops and chocolates).
  We even saw spider-topped cupcakes at a café in Saigon. It’s a fusion of Western treats with local flair.
  

Kids Participating in Activities of Vietnamese Ghost Month

• Vietnamese Ghost Month: A huge cultural context to note is Vu Lanor Thanh Minh (Ghost Festival), which falls on the 7th lunar month (around Aug/Sept).
  It’s all about offering food and incense to ancestors and wandering spirits, with no costumes or parties.
  A lot of people confuse the two, but rest assured: Ghost Month = solemn rituals, Halloween = costume parties. They happen at different times of year.

Practical Information

• When: Halloween is always on Oct 31. Most events run the weekend before and after. The peak night is Oct 31 late evening.
  
  Note: don’t confuse it with Vu Lan (Ghost Month) which is usually around Sept - no parties then, just family offerings.

• Entry & Fees: Normally, there’s no ticket needed to wander around. Bar and club events are usually free or have a small cover charge for drink promotions. Spooky attractions at parks often charge extra (e.g. special haunted houses at VinWonders). For street festivities (Ta Hien, Bui Vien), it’s free but bring cash for food, drinks, and souvenirs.

• Best Spots by City: In Hanoi, Hang Ma Street near Dong Xuan Market and bars by West Lake are buzzing.
  The Old Quarter street market (Lương Văn Căn & Hang Ma) also has pop-up Halloween stalls.
  In Saigon, Bui Vien is the place to be, plus Nguyen Hue walking street’s light show at the “Walking Street”. Both cities also block off certain streets on Halloween night (e.g. Hoan Kiem Lake area) for pedestrian-only markets.

• Nearby Amenities: All big cities have everything: plenty of 24/7 convenience stores, cafes, restaurants, and public restrooms near main Halloween zones.
  Be warned that the Hanoi nightlife crowd moves around a lot, so plan a meeting point if you split up. Taxis/Grabs surge after midnight, so budget extra money or book your ride ahead.
  

a Lively Street in Hanoi Ready for Halloween

Itinerary to follow for Halloween in Vietnamese cities

• Afternoon (4 PM onwards): Start early with a spooky stroll. In Hanoi, head to Hang Ma Street to see daytime decorations (most shops have Halloween displays up from mid-October).
  Grab a tasty bánh mì from a street vendor for a snack.
  In Ho Chi Minh, wander Nguyen Hue downtown to take selfie-fun with giant pumpkins or ghost statues some hotels put up.

• Evening (7-10 PM): Dress up in a costume! Head to the main event area: Hanoi’s Ta Hien/West Lake or Saigon’s Bui Vien.
  Visit a hip bar for dinner; for example, a craft beer spot in Tay Ho (Hanoi) or a rooftop bar overlooking Nguyen Hue (Saigon).
  Enjoy themed drinks (some places do Halloween cocktails or mocktails).

• Night (10 PM-Late): Hit the party. On Ta Hien, you can do a beer street crawl, switching from outdoor tables to indoor clubs.
  In Saigon, start at a dance bar on Bui Vien. If you prefer a calmer vibe, try a lantern-lit cafe in Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi) or Phu Nhuan/An Phu district in Saigon for rooftop parties. Many bars have live DJs and costume contests late into the night.

• Full Party Night: If you have the stamina, many locals go until 2-3 AM. The last rounds are usually at Saigon's Lush Club or Hanoi’s ‘Police Club’ (Bia Hoi Corner) where all-kinds-of costumes mix.
  Just remember to drink responsibly and watch your bag in crowded spots.
  
  Scam alert: There has been an increased scams being reported from both Ho chi minh city and Hanoi where tourists meet some ‘friendly people’ on the way and after befriending them the ‘friendly people’ take them to the bar/club they know. They order some beer/wine bottles which are billed at hundreds of dollars and you are forced to pay in the end!
  Just be very careful and use your common sense.
  

Saigon Bui Vien Street at Night Is Pretty Loud!

Important tips

• Traffic: Even on Halloween night, watch for motorbikes. Hanoi bans bikes on Old Quarter streets for night markets, but elsewhere traffic is everywhere. Cross streets carefully (locals typically step into the road slowly while looking all ways).

• Respect Traditions: Remember, a minority of Vietnamese may not celebrate Halloween (especially older generations).
  Be mindful if attending any less-touristy celebrations - don’t assume everyone is into it. When visiting a pagoda or home shrine on Oct 31st, expect normal family rituals.

• Weather: October can be rainy, especially in Hanoi. Carry a foldable umbrella. Otherwise it’s warm (20-30°C), so costumes often mean masks or lighter materials.

• Crowds: Keep personal items secure in busy markets or bars. Halloween crowds are friendly, but pickpockets can be. Use a money belt or keep your wallet in front pockets.

• Health: Drink bottled water. If you indulge in street food (like skewers or candy), it’s mostly the safe, tourist-friendly stuff - but go easy if your stomach’s sensitive.

Night Time Shot of Hoan Kiem Lake

FAQs

Is Halloween celebrated in Vietnam?
It’s not an official holiday, but yes especially in cities. Young people love dressing up and partying. Think of it as a fun pop-culture festival rather than a traditional one.

Can kids trick-or-treat?
Not really. Some expat communities host small “treat trails” on weekends, but generally Halloween in Vietnam is adult-focused. Most locals make offerings during Ghost Month (Vu Lan) instead.

Where to buy costumes?
Some costume shops pop up in malls. But most people buy online (Lazada/Shopee) or get creative with local shirt prints. Cosplay is big too, so anime shops might have wigs and masks.

How is it different from Ghost Month?
Ghost Month (usually Sept) is about ancestor offerings - no fun costumes or candy. Halloween (Oct 31) is just for partying. Vinpearl’s guide notes that Ghost Month has “no costumes, parties, or candies”.

Any big haunted houses?
Theme parks like VinWonders often add haunted attractions. In cities, some tour operators run “ghost tours” in old cemeteries (only for the brave!). Usually the scariest thing in Hanoi is trying to cross the street!

Is it safe to attend?
Yes, Halloween events are generally safe and well-attended. As always, stay aware of crowds and use common sense. Cities like Hanoi and Saigon lock down certain streets, making it safer for pedestrians.