Vietnam Tet 2027: When to Send Money for Best Rates
Vietnam Tet 2027: When to Send Money for Best Rates
Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is the biggest holiday of the year. Your family needs money for:
- New clothes for the kids
- Food for the feast
- Red envelopes (lì xì) for relatives
- Travel back to hometown
But here's what many people don't know: when you send money for Tet matters as much as how much you send.
Send at the wrong time, and you'll pay the "Tet Premium" - worse exchange rates because everyone is sending money at once.
This guide shows you exactly when to send money for Tet 2027 to get the best rates.
🎯 Check current rates: Use RemitBuddy to compare rates before sending your Tet money.
📅 Tet 2027 Key Dates
Important Dates to Know
| Date | Event | Impact on Transfers |
|---|---|---|
| January 29, 2027 | Tet Eve (Giao Thừa) | Banks closed |
| January 30, 2027 | Tet Day 1 | Banks closed |
| Jan 31 - Feb 3 | Tet Holiday | Limited banking |
| February 4-5 | Recovery days | Banks reopening |
| January 15-28 | "Tet Premium" period | Worst rates |
Bank Closure Schedule (Vietnam)
| Period | Vietnamese Banks | Remittance Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 29 - Feb 2 | ❌ Closed | ⚠️ Delayed |
| Feb 3-4 | 🔶 Limited hours | ✅ Working |
| Feb 5+ | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal |
💰 The "Tet Premium": How Much It Costs You
What Is the Tet Premium?
When everyone sends money at the same time:
- Demand for VND increases
- Exchange rate providers adjust rates
- You get less VND for your KRW
Real Cost Example: ₩2,000,000 Transfer
| When You Send | Rate | Family Receives | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early December | 20.00 | 40,000,000 VND | Best |
| Early January | 19.90 | 39,800,000 VND | -200,000 VND |
| Jan 15-20 | 19.70 | 39,400,000 VND | -600,000 VND |
| Jan 21-28 | 19.50 | 39,000,000 VND | -1,000,000 VND |
Waiting until the last week costs you 1,000,000 VND (about ₩50,000)
Historical Pattern
Based on previous years:
| Period | Typical Rate Impact |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks before Tet | Normal rates |
| 4 weeks before Tet | 0.5% worse |
| 2 weeks before Tet | 1-2% worse |
| 1 week before Tet | 2-3% worse |
| During Tet | Transfers delayed |
⏰ Best Time to Send Tet Money (2027)
Recommended Timeline
| When | What to Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Now - Dec 15 | ✅ Best time to send | Normal rates, no rush |
| Dec 16 - Dec 31 | ✅ Good time | Still reasonable rates |
| Jan 1 - Jan 10 | 🔶 OK but compare | Rates starting to worsen |
| Jan 11 - Jan 20 | ⚠️ Risky | Tet premium kicking in |
| Jan 21 - Jan 28 | ❌ Avoid | Worst rates of the year |
| Jan 29 - Feb 3 | ❌ Don't send | Banks closed, delays |
The Sweet Spot: November - December 15
Why this is the best window:
- No "Tet rush" yet
- Normal exchange rates
- Fast processing
- Family has money early (they can plan better)
💡 Pro tip: Send your Tet money by mid-December. Your family can keep it in their account until Tet, and you avoid the premium.
🎯 Tet Money Sending Strategy
Strategy 1: Send Everything Early (Best)
When: November - December 15 What: Send all your Tet money at once
Advantages:
- Best exchange rates
- No last-minute stress
- Family can budget
- Single fee payment
Example:
- Tet budget: ₩3,000,000
- Send in November: Get ~59,700,000 VND
- Send in January: Get ~58,200,000 VND
- You save: 1,500,000 VND
Strategy 2: Split Early and Late (Moderate)
When: 70% in December, 30% in January What: Send most early, keep some for last-minute needs
Advantages:
- Most money at good rates
- Flexibility for unexpected needs
- Covers both planned and surprise expenses
Example:
- Total: ₩3,000,000
- December: ₩2,100,000 → ~41,790,000 VND (good rate)
- January 10: ₩900,000 → ~17,820,000 VND (OK rate)
- Total received: ~59,610,000 VND
Strategy 3: Last Minute (Avoid!)
When: January 20+ What: Send everything right before Tet
Problems:
- Worst exchange rates
- Possible delays
- Family stress
- Higher hidden fees
Example:
- Total: ₩3,000,000
- January 25: Get only ~58,000,000 VND
- You lose: 1,700,000 VND compared to early sending
💸 How Much to Send for Tet
Typical Tet Expenses (Vietnam)
| Expense | Amount (VND) | Amount (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Food & groceries | 3,000,000 - 8,000,000 | ₩150,000 - 400,000 |
| New clothes | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 | ₩100,000 - 250,000 |
| Red envelopes (lì xì) | 2,000,000 - 10,000,000 | ₩100,000 - 500,000 |
| Decorations | 500,000 - 2,000,000 | ₩25,000 - 100,000 |
| Travel | 1,000,000 - 5,000,000 | ₩50,000 - 250,000 |
| Gifts for relatives | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 | ₩100,000 - 250,000 |
| Total typical | 10M - 35M VND | ₩500,000 - 1,750,000 |
Red Envelope Amounts Guide
| Recipient | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Your parents | 500K - 2M VND | Show respect |
| Parents-in-law | 500K - 2M VND | Match spouse's parents |
| Children (own) | 100K - 500K VND | Age-appropriate |
| Nieces/nephews | 50K - 200K VND | Depends on closeness |
| Neighbors' kids | 20K - 50K VND | Token amount |
🚀 Best Services for Tet Transfers
For Speed (When You're Late)
| Service | Speed to MoMo | Speed to Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Hanpass | 5-10 min | 10-30 min |
| E9Pay | 5-10 min | 10-30 min |
| GME Remit | N/A | 1-2 hours |
For Best Rates (When You're Early)
Compare rates on RemitBuddy - the best option changes daily.
For Large Amounts
| Amount | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Under ₩2,000,000 | Hanpass or E9Pay |
| ₩2,000,000 - ₩5,000,000 | Compare all, GME often good |
| Over ₩5,000,000 | GME Remit (better large transfer rates) |
⚠️ Tet Transfer Warnings
Warning 1: Don't Wait for "Better Rates"
Some people think: "Maybe rates will improve if I wait."
Reality: Rates almost always get WORSE as Tet approaches. Don't gamble.
Warning 2: Vietnamese Bank Closures
January 29 - February 2: Most Vietnamese banks are closed.
If you send during this time:
- Money may sit in limbo
- Family can't access until Feb 3+
- MoMo works, but withdrawal limits apply
Warning 3: App Delays During Peak
Even remittance apps can slow down during Tet rush:
- Normal: 10-30 minutes
- Tet week: 1-4 hours possible
- Tet holiday: Next business day
Warning 4: Don't Use Bank Wire
Korean banks + Tet + SWIFT = nightmare scenario
- 2-3 days normally → 5-7 days during Tet
- Intermediary banks may be closed
- Your family won't have money for Tet
📋 Tet 2027 Checklist
8 Weeks Before (Early December)
- Calculate total Tet budget
- Check current exchange rate
- Compare services on RemitBuddy
- Send 70-100% of Tet money NOW
- Confirm family received it
4 Weeks Before (Early January)
- Send remaining amount if you split
- Verify family has enough
- Check if they need anything extra
- Note: Rates starting to worsen
1 Week Before (January 22+)
- Emergency transfers only
- Use MoMo for fastest delivery
- Expect worse rates (accept it)
- Don't use bank wire
During Tet (January 29 - February 3)
- Don't send (delays likely)
- Wait for banks to reopen
- Family should have money already
💡 Extra Tips for Tet Transfers
Tip 1: Send Extra for Emergencies
Add 10-20% buffer to your budget. Unexpected expenses always happen during Tet.
Tip 2: Tell Family to Withdraw Cash Before Tet
ATMs run out of cash during Tet. Have family withdraw early.
Tip 3: Consider MoMo for Flexibility
Money in MoMo wallet:
- Available instantly
- Can pay many stores directly
- Can transfer to family members
- No bank queue needed
Tip 4: Set a Calendar Reminder
Set reminder for December 1 every year: "Send Tet money this month."
Tip 5: Talk to Family About Timing
Explain that you're sending early to get better rates. They'll understand and appreciate the extra money.
❓ FAQ: Tet Money Transfers
When is the best time to send money for Tet 2027?
November to mid-December is best. You get normal exchange rates and avoid the Tet premium that starts in January.
How much worse are rates during Tet?
Typically 1-3% worse in the two weeks before Tet. For a ₩2,000,000 transfer, that's 400,000-1,200,000 VND lost.
Can I send money during Tet holiday?
You can send via apps, but Vietnamese banks are closed January 29 - February 2. Your family may not receive it until February 3+.
What if I forgot and it's already January 25?
Send immediately via Hanpass or E9Pay to MoMo. Accept the worse rate. Something is better than nothing for your family.
How much should I send for Tet?
Typical range: ₩500,000 - ₩2,000,000 depending on your family's needs. Consider food, clothes, red envelopes, and travel.
Is MoMo or bank better for Tet transfers?
MoMo is better for Tet because:
- Faster (5-10 minutes)
- Works during bank closures
- Family can pay directly with MoMo
- Easy to share with relatives
Should I send in KRW or USD?
Send in KRW. Converting KRW → USD → VND costs you twice on exchange rates.
✅ Summary: Tet 2027 Transfer Timeline
| Period | Action | Expected Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nov - Dec 15 | 🟢 Send now (best time) | Normal rate |
| Dec 16 - Dec 31 | 🟢 Good to send | Normal rate |
| Jan 1 - 10 | 🟡 OK but hurry | -0.5% |
| Jan 11 - 20 | 🟠 Last chance | -1% to -2% |
| Jan 21 - 28 | 🔴 Emergency only | -2% to -3% |
| Jan 29 - Feb 3 | ⛔ Avoid | Delays, closures |
Best strategy: Send 70-100% of your Tet budget by December 15.
🎯 Send Your Tet Money Now
Compare rates and find the best option for your Tet transfer:
👉 Compare Vietnam Rates on RemitBuddy
Don't pay the Tet premium. Send early and save.
Related Guides
- Cheapest Way to Send Money to Vietnam from Korea
- Best Time to Send Money to Vietnam
- MoMo Vietnam: Complete Guide
- How Much Does It Cost to Send $500 to Vietnam?
- Send Money to Vietnam: Bank vs MoMo
Last updated: May 2026
Tet 2027 falls on January 29-30. Plan ahead for the best rates. Check current rates on RemitBuddy.