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)

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.

Last updated: May 2026

Tet 2027 falls on January 29-30. Plan ahead for the best rates. Check current rates on RemitBuddy.

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