A Lunar New Year 2025 Adventure at Phu Quoc Beach Resort

As dawn breaks over the emerald waters of the Gulf of Thailand, painting the sky in watercolor strokes of rose and amber, the distant sound of drums echoes across Phu Quoc’s pristine coastline. Standing barefoot on warm sand, I watch as an elderly calligraphy master sets up his station beneath a flowering frangipani tree. His weathered hands move with quiet precision as he arranges his brushes, each one a different size, each with its own purpose.

The gentle morning breeze carries the salt-tinged air and the rhythmic sound of waves. “Happiness” he tells me in soft-spoken English, dipping his brush in jet-black ink.

With graceful precision, he demonstrates the character ‘Phúc’ on pristine rice paper. The stroke begins gently, almost like asking permission from the paper itself, then flows with increasing confidence – much like my own journey into Vietnamese New Year traditions.

As the Year of the Snake 2025 approaches on this paradisiac island, where jungle-clad hills cascade into pearl-white beaches, Pullman Phu Quoc Beach Resort transforms into a living museum of Tet customs.

“Tet isn’t just a holiday—it’s the heartbeat of Vietnamese culture,” explains Chef Nguyen Van Minh, as he delicately wraps a banana leaf around sticky rice to create banh chung, the iconic square rice cake that has graced Lunar New Year celebrations for generations. “Every fold tells a story of our ancestors, every ingredient carries meaning.”

The cooking class takes you into the resort’s gleaming kitchen, where travelers from across the globe gather to learn this ancient culinary art.

Our hands, guided by expert chefs, transform simple ingredients—glutinous rice, mung beans, and tender pork—into perfectly squared packets that symbolize the earth in Vietnamese cosmology.

The air is thick with the earthy aroma of dong leaves and the excited chatter of novice cooks discovering a tradition that predates written history.

The resort grounds pulse with life and laughter. Children scatter across the lawns, their feet carefully finding rhythm between clicking poles in the traditional bamboo dance. Through the Kids Club programme, Pullman Phu Quoc offers a range of traditional Vietnamese games that connect them with centuries-old Tet custom.

Little VIPs are invited to explore ancient games such as: Bamboo Dancing (Nhảy Sạp), Break the Pot (Đập Niêu Đất), Bag Jumping (Nhảy Bao Bố), and so on. These games are designed to introduce children to the age-old time of Vietnam in a fun and memorable way.

Nearby, others participate in bag jumping competitions, a game that has entertained Vietnamese families for centuries during the new year festivities. Each activity is a thread in the tapestry of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

As dusk approaches, the celebration reaches its crescendo with the arrival of the lion dancers. Their elaborate costumes catch the last rays of the setting sun as they weave between modern architecture and ancient ritual. The thunder of drums mingles with the sound of waves, creating a symphony that bridges past and present.

In the Salt ‘n Pepper Restaurant, a feast unfolds like a culinary map of Vietnam.

Platters of grilled chicken arranged in traditional “met” style share table space with spring rolls that tell the story of each province own interpretation of this dish.

Yet perhaps the most touching tradition awaits guests upon arrival: the choosing of a red envelope, or “Lì Xì.” This age-old practice of gifting money during Tet has been reimagined as a welcome ritual, allowing visitors to participate in one of Vietnam’s most intimate customs from the moment they step through the door.

What makes this celebration extraordinary is its setting. Phu Quoc, an island known for its fish sauce production and pepper plantations, provides a backdrop where modern luxury and traditional culture don’t just coexist—they enhance each other. Here, against the canvas of pristine beaches and tropical forests, ancient traditions find new life in the hands of international travelers.

As the sun sets over Phu Quoc’s horizon, casting long shadows across generations of tradition, I understand that Tet is more than just a celebration—it’s a bridge across time itself. In this corner of Vietnam, where dragons dance and fortune smiles, each red envelope opened and every banh chung wrapped becomes a thread in an unbroken tapestry, connecting those who came before to those who arrive with open hearts.

In fairness, the true gift of Tet at Pullman Phu Quoc is not just the preservation of tradition but its transformation into a living, breathing celebration that welcomes all who wish to be part of its remarkable story.

For more Lunar New Year updates from Pullman Phu Quoc Beach Resort, visit
pullmanphuquoc.com or reach the booking desk at +84 (0) 297 267 9999 or +84 (0) 91 665 0248.