Where to Go and What to Do in April?

People visiting Hung Temple during the death anniversary in 2024. Photo by Tra My

The Hung Temple Festival 2025 will be held at the Hung Temple historical site on Nghia Linh Mountain, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province from March 29th to April 7th. The main ceremony will take place on April 7th (10th day of the 3rd lunar month)

Traditional activities and rituals include the death anniversary of Lac Long Quan, National Father, and incense offering to commemorate Au Co, Mother of the Nation, death anniversary of the Hung Kings, and flower offering at the bas-relief of President Ho Chi Minh talking to the officers and soldiers of the Vanguard Corps, and the palanquin procession.

Cultural, artistic, and sports activities include beating bronze drums, performing cultural and artistic programs at night, Xoan singing, a festival of martial arts essence, and water puppetry.

On this occasion, there are many tours to discover destinations and heritages in Phu Tho, including a one-day tour of Hung Temple – Hung Lo Communal House – Hung Lo Ancient Village; a 2-day, 1-night tour: Hung Temple – Hung Lo Ancient Communal House – Tam Giang Temple – Long Coc Tea Hill – Thanh Thuy Hot Mineral Complex; a 3-day, 2-night tour: Hung Temple – Xoan singing – Long Coc Tea Hill – Xuan Son National Park; and a 5-day inter-provincial tour: Returning to the Land of the Nation – Hanoi – Phu Tho – Yen Bai – Lao Cai.

50th Anniversary of the Reunification Day, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the top tourist attractions in April, thanks to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation. Various activities will take place on April 30th and the days before and after the holiday, such as a military parade along Le Duan Street in District 1 and cultural and artistic activities in parks and museums.

Helicopters flying in formation during a rehearsal for the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification Day in Ho Chi Minh City, March 27th. Photo by Duc Dong

Ho Chi Minh City will set off fireworks at 7 locations, including the Saigon River Tunnel entrance, the Historical and Cultural Park (Thu Duc City), the Ben Duoc Temple of Remembrance (Cu Chi County), the Ngã Ba Giồng Temple of Remembrance (Hoc Mon County), the Lang Le-Bau Co Relic (Binh Chanh County), Can Gio District Football Field, and Dam Sen Cultural Park (District 11). In addition to the fireworks display, the city plans to perform 10,500 drones simultaneously on April 30th at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1.

Tourists can also choose to visit museums and memorial sites with historical significance, such as the Independence Palace, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the War Remnants Museum.

Plum Harvest in Moc Chau, Son La

The plum harvest season in Moc Chau usually starts from April to June. The white plum blossom hills after Tet are now transformed into orchards laden with fruit. Besides taking photos, visitors can experience harvesting and tasting the fruit right in the gardens, as well as buying some to take home.

Some notable plum-picking spots include Na Ka Valley, Mu Nau, Phieng Khoang, Nong Trang Town, and small plum gardens near the center of the town. Garden entrance fees usually range from VND 30,000 to VND 50,000 per person. The price of plums at the beginning of the season fluctuates between VND 50,000 and VND 70,000 per kg depending on the time.

Water-Sprinkling Festival in Southeast Asian Countries

Although it is called by different names, such as Songkran in Thailand (April 13-15), Bunpimay in Laos (April 14-16), Thingyan in Myanmar (April 13-16), and Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia (April 14-16), this festival has many similarities in these Southeast Asian countries.

After religious rituals at temples and family gatherings, people take to the streets and sprinkle water on each other using buckets, basins, hoses, or water guns. It is believed that the more water one receives, the more luck and blessings they will have in the coming year. Songkran in Thailand has been recognized by UNESCO and inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Popular locations for the water-sprinkling festival in Thailand include Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khon Kaen, and Hat Yai. In Laos, popular destinations are Vientiane, Luang Phrabang, and Vang Vieng. In Cambodia, tourists usually gather at the ancient Wat Phnom temple in the center of Phnom Penh.

Note: After the earthquake in Myanmar, which affected several neighboring countries, travelers should check safety conditions and consider their plans before traveling.

Purple Phoenix Flower Season in Kunming, China

Purple Phoenix flowers along Jiaochang Middle Road in Kunming. Photo: People’s Daily

The purple phoenix flower season in Kunming usually starts in the second half of April and lasts until early May. The flowers are at their most beautiful along the 400-meter-long Jiaochang Middle Road, turning this place into a “purple paradise.” Besides Jiaochang Middle Road, visitors can also visit Panlong River Bank, Guangfu Road, Tuyet Lake Park, and Bao Hai Park.

Purple phoenix flowers were first planted in Kunming in 1984 at the Botanical Garden. The institute of the garden obtained the seeds of the flower from Algeria through a seed exchange program. After more than 30 years, the flowers bloom annually, dyeing the roads of Kunming in shades of purple.

Cherry Blossom Festivals in Japan and South Korea

April is the month when cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Japan and South Korea. According to forecasts, in South Korea, the flowers will start blooming in the capital city of Seoul from March 28th and will be at their most vibrant from April 3rd to 10th. In Japan, the flowers will bloom in famous tourist cities in the south, such as Osaka and Kyoto, during the first and second weeks of April.

Picnicking under the cherry blossoms (hanami) and enjoying seasonal delicacies are must-have experiences during this period. Tourists planning to visit Japan and South Korea to admire the cherry blossoms should also keep an eye on the weather forecast to choose the best time and place to enjoy the flowers.