1. Three Weeks Before Tet: Sub-Supplier Cut-Offs, Trucking Rates & Reefer Demand
Three weeks before Tet, tier-2 and tier-3 domestic sub-suppliers—corrugated carton plants, electroplating shops, fabric dyehouses, and timber kilns—stop accepting new orders to clear their books. Simultaneously, inter-provincial trucking rates from Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, the Mekong Delta, and the Central Highlands to Cat Lai and Cai Mep ports spike by 30% to 50% as drivers return to their home provinces.
Adding to the crunch, November through January marks the peak Central Highlands coffee harvest (HS 0901) and pre-Tet frozen seafood/fruit rush, creating severe shortages of 40' High-Cube Reefer (40'RH) containers, gensets, and Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI) depot plugs.
2. One to Three Weeks After Tet: Managing Post-Holiday Workforce Turnover
An important operational risk around Tet happens after factories reopen. Many production workers in Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, Long An, and Bắc Ninh travel home to rural provinces for the holiday. After receiving their customary 13th-month Tet bonus (Lương tháng 13), 15% to 25% of line operators typically extend their leave or change employers.
As a result, during the first two to three weeks after Tet, factories often restart lines at 50%–65% staffing while onboarding newly hired operators—making clear workmanship standards and early quality checks especially valuable.
3. Practical Order Scheduling & Post-Tet In-Line Inspections
To ship reliably before Tet, purchase orders and initial deposits for custom manufactured goods should be placed at least 10 to 12 weeks prior to Lunar New Year, with final PSI completed 14 days before the holiday. For orders produced immediately after Tet, buyers should schedule an on-site Post-Tet Restart DUPRO at 15% completion to verify line staffing and check workmanship before full output resumes.
4. Key Specifications & Summary Table
| Timeline Window | Factory & Sub-Supplier Status | Logistics & Port Impact | Mandatory Procurement Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-10 to T-8 Weeks Pre-Tet | 100% Normal Capacity | Normal FCL & 40'RH Reefer Pool | Issue PO, lock BOM sub-tiers & book vessel space |
| T-4 to T-2 Weeks Pre-Tet | Sub-tiers halt new orders; Rush O/T | Trucking +30%–50%; CY cut-offs tight | Complete PSI & stuff containers ≥12 days pre-Tet |
| Tet Statutory Week (T-0) | 100% Plant & Office Closure | Ports on skeleton crew; High demurrage | Avoid cargo arrivals or customs filings |
| T+1 to T+3 Weeks Post-Tet | 50%–70% Staff; 15%–25% Worker Turnover | Gradual trucking & feeder recovery | Enforce mandatory Post-Tet DUPRO on new workers |
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long do factories in Vietnam really shut down for Tet Lunar New Year in 2027?
Although the statutory public holiday is 7 to 9 days, the true supply chain disruption spans 6 to 8 weeks: sub-tier packaging and plating suppliers stop taking orders 3 weeks before Tet, trucking and port gates congest 2 weeks prior, and factories take 2 to 3 weeks after reopening to return to 100% staffing.
Q2. Why do Vietnamese factories experience delays and quality issues for 4 weeks after Tet?
After receiving their annual 13th-month Tet bonus (Lương tháng 13) and traveling home to rural provinces, 15% to 25% of factory workers change jobs or extend their leave. Factories fill those positions with newly recruited operators in the first month after Tet, resulting in slower line speeds and higher defect risk unless checked with an early in-line DUPRO inspection.
Q3. When should purchase orders be placed in Vietnam to ship before Tet?
For repeat orders, place purchase orders and lock raw material deposits at least 8 to 10 weeks before Tet; for new OEM/custom products or wood furniture requiring kiln-drying, lock orders 12 to 14 weeks before Tet so final PSI and container gate-in occur at least 10–14 days before the holiday.