September is one of the most interesting months for cultural events in Vietnam. The month brings major festivals in Hanoi, Hoi An and Hue, the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, large heritage celebrations and several sporting and cultural events in Central Vietnam.
If you are visiting Vietnam in September 2026, this guide highlights the events that are most useful for travelers to know about, including dates, locations and what to expect.
September is also a transitional month for the weather, so your experience can vary considerably between northern, central and southern Vietnam. Check our Vietnam Weather by Month Guide before deciding where to spend the most time.
Best Vietnam Events in September 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi Autumn Festival | Sept 1–30 (main event Sept 25–27) | Hanoi | Autumn culture, heritage, food and performances |
| Hue – Culinary Capital 2026 | September 1–30 | Hue | Food, traditional cuisine and culinary culture |
| Heineken Pickleball World Cup | August 30–September 6 | Da Nang | International sporting event |
| Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival | September 11–20 | Hanoi | Major heritage and arts festival |
| Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival | September 23–26 | Hoi An | Lanterns, lion dances and traditional performances |
| Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25 | Across Vietnam | Lanterns, mooncakes and family celebrations |
| World Tourism Day Celebration | September 27 | Hoi An | Cultural and tourism activities |
Hanoi Autumn Festival 2026
Date: September 1–30, 2026 (citywide programme); main festival event September 25–27, 2026
Location: Hanoi, main venue Thong Nhat Park
Type: Cultural and tourism festival
The Hanoi Autumn Festival 2026 runs throughout September and celebrates the capital’s autumn atmosphere through heritage spaces, artistic performances, cultural activities and traditional food.
Hanoi authorities have confirmed the festival’s centerpiece event for September 25–27, 2026 at Thong Nhat Park, themed “Hanoi Autumn – Journey of Emotions.” The venue spans around 5,000 square meters with nine themed activity zones, including a heritage space recreating Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake scenery, a craft village area with pottery and silk-weaving demonstrations from Bat Trang and Van Phuc, and a cuisine zone serving autumn specialties like cốm (young green rice), mooncakes, lotus tea, phở and bún chả.
For visitors, the event is less about one single performance and more about experiencing Hanoi through its seasonal cultural programme.
This is a good month to combine the festival atmosphere with Hanoi’s major historical attractions, Old Quarter streets and local food scene.
If it is your first visit, use our Vietnam for First-Timers Guide to build your itinerary.
What to Expect
- Heritage and cultural activities
- Art performances
- Traditional Vietnamese food
- Activities connected with Hanoi’s autumn culture
- Events at or around important heritage spaces
The exact programme can vary during the month, so visitors should check the latest local announcements before attending a specific performance.
Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival 2026
Date: September 11–20, 2026
Location: Hanoi
Theme: “Heritage Flow”
Type: Cultural, historical and arts festival
The Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival 2026 is one of the most important cultural events in Hanoi this September.
The second edition of the festival will connect the city’s historical heritage with contemporary art and creative culture. Events will take place across several major heritage and public spaces rather than being concentrated in one venue.
Key locations include the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Museum, Bat Trang pottery village and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for September 11 at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel. The programme includes contemporary performances, international artistic exchanges, fashion and ceramic art activities.
For travelers interested in Hanoi’s history and culture, this is probably the strongest event on the September calendar.
You can combine the festival with our Best Places to Visit in Vietnam Guide when planning a wider trip around the country.
Key Festival Highlights
- September 11: Opening ceremony at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel
- September 12: International artistic exchange programme
- September 13: Contemporary music programme
- September 19: “Colours of Hanoi” fashion show and “Ceramic Sounds” performance in Bat Trang
- September 20: Closing activities around Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
The programme also includes exhibitions, heritage experiences, traditional craft village products and performances connected with Hanoi’s intangible cultural heritage.
Hue – Culinary Capital 2026
Date: September 1–30, 2026
Location: Hue
Type: Food and cultural festival
September is also a good month to visit Hue if food is one of the main reasons you travel.
The “Hue – Culinary Capital 2026” Festival runs throughout September and promotes Hue’s culinary heritage as an important part of the city’s tourism identity.
Hue is famous for refined royal cuisine, traditional local dishes and a food culture that developed around the former imperial capital.
The festival provides an additional reason to explore local restaurants, traditional dishes and culinary experiences while visiting the city’s historical attractions.
Our Vietnam Food Safety Guide is useful if you are trying Vietnamese food for the first time.
Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026
Date: August 30–September 6, 2026
Location: Da Nang
Type: International sporting event
Although the event starts in late August, the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 continues into the first week of September, making it relevant to travelers visiting Da Nang at the beginning of the month.
The event is expected to bring thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and visitors to Da Nang, with competitions and additional activities connected with the rapidly growing sport.
For travelers staying in Da Nang during the first days of September, it is worth checking the competition schedule and venue information before planning your day.
If you are deciding between nearby destinations, see our Da Nang vs Hoi An Comparison.
Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
Date: September 23–26, 2026
Location: Hoi An
Type: Traditional cultural festival
The Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the best events for travelers who want to experience Hoi An at its most atmospheric.
The official Da Nang events calendar lists the festival for September 23–26 across Hoi An and the Hoi An East and Hoi An West areas.
The programme includes lion dances, traditional performances, a Thiên Cẩu dance competition, Mid-Autumn feast displays, community activities and lantern parades.
Hoi An’s already famous lantern-lit streets make the city particularly attractive during the Mid-Autumn period.
If you are planning to stay in Hoi An during these dates, book accommodation early because the festival period can be much busier than a normal week.
You can also use our Da Nang to Hoi An Guide if you plan to visit Hoi An as a day trip from Da Nang.
Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival 2026
Date: September 25, 2026
Vietnamese name: Tết Trung Thu
Location: Across Vietnam
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25 in 2026.
Tết Trung Thu is traditionally associated with children, family gatherings, mooncakes, colorful lanterns and lion dances.
Although it is celebrated throughout Vietnam, the atmosphere can be particularly interesting for visitors in historic urban areas and traditional neighborhoods.
In Hoi An, the festival combines naturally with the city’s lantern culture. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can also find decorated streets, mooncake shops, lanterns and traditional performances.
The days leading up to the full moon can also be lively, so you do not necessarily have to arrive on September 25 itself to experience the atmosphere.
What Travelers Can Experience
- Colorful paper lanterns
- Lion and dragon dance performances
- Traditional mooncakes
- Decorated streets
- Family and community celebrations
- Traditional music and cultural performances
If you are traveling with children, Mid-Autumn is one of the more accessible Vietnamese cultural celebrations because many activities take place outdoors and in public spaces.
World Tourism Day in Hoi An
Date: September 27, 2026
Location: Hoi An
Type: Tourism and cultural event
Hoi An is also scheduled to host activities marking World Tourism Day on September 27.
The event is part of the official 2026 Da Nang and Hoi An events calendar and adds another reason to explore the area at the end of September.
Because individual activities can be announced closer to the date, travelers should check the latest local programme if they specifically want to attend World Tourism Day events.
Da Nang International Lantern Festival 2026
Date: September 2026
Location: Hoi An and surrounding Hoi An areas
Type: Lantern, arts and cultural event
The official Da Nang events calendar also lists the Da Nang International Lantern Festival 2026 for September.
The festival is expected to combine lantern displays with artistic performances, exhibitions, cultural exchanges and lantern-related activities.
Unlike the Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival, the official calendar currently gives the event as a September 2026 programme rather than a specific set of daily dates.
For that reason, travelers should check the official programme before making a special trip specifically for this event.
International SUP Festival in Da Nang
Date: Early September 2026
Location: Han River and waterfront areas in Da Nang
Type: Sports and outdoor event
The International SUP Festival is scheduled for early September on the Han River and along its waterfront areas.
The event combines competitions, demonstrations and water-sports experiences and is aimed at promoting active outdoor recreation in Da Nang.
This is a more niche event than the major cultural festivals, but it may be interesting for travelers who enjoy paddle sports and outdoor activities.
September Events in Vietnam: Where Should You Go?
If you are choosing your destination partly because of events, different parts of Vietnam offer very different experiences in September.
Choose Hanoi for Culture and Heritage
Hanoi is the strongest choice if you want a combination of city sightseeing, cultural activities and major heritage events.
The biggest dates are September 11–20 for the Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival, while the Hanoi Autumn Festival continues throughout the month.
September can also be a good time to experience Hanoi’s seasonal atmosphere before the cooler months arrive.
Choose Hoi An for Lanterns and Mid-Autumn Celebrations
Hoi An is probably the most atmospheric choice around September 23–26.
The Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival combines traditional performances and lantern activities with the already famous illuminated streets of the Ancient Town.
If you want a particularly photogenic cultural experience, this is one of the best September options.
Choose Hue for Food and History
Hue is the obvious choice for travelers who want to combine Vietnam’s imperial history with food.
The Hue Culinary Capital festival runs throughout September, so you do not need to plan your trip around a single day.
Choose Da Nang for Sports and Easy Beach Access
Da Nang is useful as a base because it combines beaches, city attractions and easy access to Hoi An.
The first week of September overlaps with the Heineken Pickleball World Cup, while the International SUP Festival is also scheduled for early September.
See our Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc Comparison if you are also considering a beach destination elsewhere in Vietnam.
September Weather and Events
Events are only one part of planning a September trip. Weather can have an even bigger effect on your experience.
September is still part of the rainy season in many parts of Vietnam, particularly in the north and south, while Central Vietnam can have a different pattern.
Before booking a trip around a specific festival, check the latest forecast and consider how flexible your itinerary is.
Our Best Time to Visit Vietnam Guide provides a broader overview of seasonal travel conditions.
If you are planning a multi-city September trip, our Vietnam Transport Guide explains the main ways to move between destinations.
Tips for Visiting Vietnam During September Events
- Book popular destinations early: Hoi An can become significantly busier around Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Check event schedules: some programmes have broad date ranges while individual performances take place only on specific days.
- Expect crowds: major heritage events can attract large local audiences as well as tourists.
- Keep plans flexible: rain can affect outdoor performances and activities.
- Carry cash: smaller food stalls and traditional markets may not accept cards.
- Protect your phone and camera: lantern events and crowded streets can become busy very quickly.
- Use Grab when needed: public transport is useful in major cities, but a car or motorbike taxi can be more convenient for some event locations.
For general trip planning, our How Much Money to Take to Vietnam Guide can help you estimate your daily spending.
Vietnam Events in September 2026: Quick Calendar
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 1–30 | Hanoi Autumn Festival | Hanoi |
| September 1–30 | Hue – Culinary Capital 2026 | Hue |
| August 30–September 6 | Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026 | Da Nang |
| September 11–20 | Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival 2026 | Hanoi |
| September 23–26 | Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival | Hoi An |
| September 25 | Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival | Across Vietnam |
| September 27 | World Tourism Day Celebration | Hoi An |
| September | Da Nang International Lantern Festival | Hoi An |
| Early September | International SUP Festival | Da Nang |
Bottom Line
September 2026 is a strong month for cultural travel in Vietnam.
Hanoi has two major month-long and multi-day cultural programmes, with the Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival from September 11–20 standing out as one of the month’s biggest events.
Hoi An is especially attractive from September 23–26 for the Bính Ngọ Mid-Autumn Festival, followed by World Tourism Day activities on September 27.
Hue offers a month-long culinary programme, while Da Nang combines sporting events with easy access to Hoi An and Central Vietnam’s beaches.
If you are planning your trip around a particular event, always check the latest official programme shortly before traveling because individual performances, venues and schedules can change.
For a broader overview of where to go in the country, see our Best Places to Visit in Vietnam Guide.
Sources
- Vietnam Tourism — September 2026 Festivals & Events
- Vietnam Tourism — Hanoi Autumn Festival 2026
- Vietnam Tourism — Hue Culinary Capital 2026
- Hanoi Government Portal — Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival 2026
- VietnamPlus — Thăng Long–Hanoi Festival 2026
- Da Nang Tourism — Official Event and Festival Calendar for the Second Half of 2026
- Da Nang Tourism — Top Events and Festivals in Da Nang
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