As the Lunar New Year approaches and Ho Chi Minh City prepares for its most cherished holiday, finding the perfect place to welcome the Year of the Horse becomes essential. While many establishments close their doors during Tet, The Refinery proudly remains open throughout the holiday period, standing as a welcoming oasis that invites guests to embrace the slow, contemplative rhythm of the season in one of Saigon’s most historically rich settings.
Open for Tet: Your Reliable Dining Destination
In a city where finding an open restaurant during Tet can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, The Refinery offers something invaluable: certainty. The restaurant will be open throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations, ensuring that whether you’re craving a sophisticated meal on the first day of Tet or seeking a peaceful refuge on the third, The Refinery’s doors remain open to welcome you.
Over Two Decades of History and Hospitality
Nestled in the atmospheric Old Opium Courtyard, The Refinery has been a cornerstone of Ho Chi Minh City’s dining scene for more than twenty years. This remarkable longevity speaks volumes in a city where culinary trends come and go with the seasons. The restaurant occupies a space steeped in history, where colonial-era architecture meets contemporary comfort, creating an ambiance that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
The Old Opium Courtyard itself tells stories of Saigon’s layered past, and The Refinery has carefully preserved this heritage while evolving into a sophisticated dining destination. The building’s weathered brick walls, vintage shutters, and lush greenery transport visitors to a different era, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of District 1.
A Terrace Perfect for Lunar New Year Reflections
The Magic of Slow Days
Tet is traditionally a time for slowing down, reconnecting with family, and setting intentions for the year ahead. The Refinery’s terrace provides the ideal setting for exactly this kind of mindful celebration. As the first days of the Lunar New Year unfold, guests can settle into comfortable seating surrounded by tropical plants, with dappled sunlight filtering through the courtyard’s canopy.
The terrace embodies everything that makes Tet special: the luxury of unhurried time, the pleasure of good company, and the joy of savoring exceptional food in beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or enjoying a peaceful moment of solitude, the outdoor space offers a sanctuary where the holiday’s true spirit can flourish.
Atmosphere That Embraces Tradition
Unlike the frenetic energy that typically defines Saigon, The Refinery during Tet transforms into a haven of tranquility. The usual rush gives way to a more contemplative pace, allowing guests to truly appreciate their surroundings. The combination of historical architecture, carefully curated décor, and the natural beauty of the courtyard creates an atmosphere that honors both Vietnamese tradition and cosmopolitan sophistication.
What to Expect During the Holiday Period
While The Refinery opens its doors throughout Tet, guests should note some adjustments to the regular menu and schedule during the holiday period:
Holiday Service Modifications:
- No sandwich menu available during Tet
- Set lunch service suspended for the holiday
- Happy hour offerings paused during the celebration period
- No brunch service on January 21st and 22nd
These temporary changes allow the kitchen team to focus on delivering exceptional à la carte dining experiences while giving staff the opportunity to enjoy portions of the holiday with their own families. The core menu remains available, featuring The Refinery’s signature dishes that have delighted guests for over two decades.
Why Choose The Refinery for Your Tet Celebration
Open When Others Close: A Tet Tradition
One of The Refinery’s most valuable offerings during Tet is simply being open for business. While the majority of Saigon’s restaurants close for multiple days during the holiday, The Refinery maintains its commitment to hospitality throughout the entire Lunar New Year period. This dedication means you can plan your Tet celebrations with confidence, knowing that exceptional dining awaits you regardless of which day you choose to visit.
The restaurant’s decision to stay open during Tet reflects its deep understanding of the diverse needs of Saigon’s community. For international residents celebrating away from their home countries, for travelers experiencing Vietnamese New Year for the first time, or for locals seeking a sophisticated alternative to traditional home gatherings, The Refinery provides a consistently excellent option throughout the holiday.
A Rare Gem That Welcomes You During Tet
In a city where most restaurants shutter during Tet, The Refinery’s decision to remain open throughout the holiday provides a valuable service to both locals and visitors. The restaurant understands that Tet celebrations take many forms, and not everyone wants to spend every meal at home or struggle to find quality dining options during the most important holiday of the year.
Whether you’re an expat looking for a festive meal away from home, a traveler experiencing Saigon during this special time, or a local seeking an alternative to traditional family gatherings, The Refinery offers a welcoming space throughout Tet without the disappointment of finding closed doors or drastically limited options. Being open during Tet is part of The Refinery’s commitment to serving the community year-round, ensuring that exceptional dining remains accessible even during the city’s quietest days.
Culinary Excellence Meets Historical Charm
The restaurant’s enduring success stems from its commitment to quality cuisine served in an unparalleled setting. The menu showcases European-inspired dishes with subtle Asian influences, crafted from premium ingredients and presented with artistry. Each plate reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of refined simplicity, where flavors speak for themselves without unnecessary embellishment.
The wine list, carefully curated over the years, offers selections that complement the cuisine perfectly, while the cocktail menu features both classics and innovative creations that showcase the skills of The Refinery’s experienced bar team.
Planning Your Tet Visit to The Refinery
Open Throughout the Holiday Period
Mark your calendar: The Refinery is open for Tet 2025. Whether you’re planning to visit on the first day of the Lunar New Year or during the extended holiday period, you can count on The Refinery to provide its signature combination of excellent cuisine, historic ambiance, and attentive service.
The first days of the Lunar New Year are ideal for visiting The Refinery. The holiday atmosphere pervades the city, with reduced traffic and a palpable sense of celebration in the air. The walk to the Old Opium Courtyard becomes part of the experience, as you navigate streets decorated with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, hearing the occasional burst of firecrackers in the distance.
Making Your Reservation
Reserve your table in advance, as The Refinery’s reputation and its status as one of the few quality restaurants open during Tet make it a popular choice for those in the know. The combination of being open during the holiday period and offering such a unique setting means tables fill quickly, especially for prime terrace seating during the pleasant afternoon hours.
Whether you’re planning a long, leisurely lunch on the terrace or an intimate dinner as the sun sets over the courtyard, The Refinery promises an experience that captures the essence of Tet: celebration, reflection, and the timeless pleasure of exceptional hospitality.
A Toast to New Beginnings
As you raise your glass on The Refinery’s terrace, surrounded by history and natural beauty, you’re participating in a tradition that has welcomed guests for over twenty years. This Tet, let The Refinery be your sanctuary, where the old and new year meet in perfect harmony, and where every moment invites you to slow down, savor, and celebrate the promise of fresh beginnings.
Chúc mừng năm mới – Happy New Year from The Refinery.
As the Lunar New Year approaches and Ho Chi Minh City prepares for its most cherished holiday, finding the perfect place to welcome the Year of the Snake becomes essential. While many establishments close their doors during Tet, The Refinery proudly remains open throughout the holiday period, standing as a welcoming oasis that invites guests to embrace the slow, contemplative rhythm of the season in one of Saigon’s most historically rich settings.
Open for Tet: Your Reliable Dining Destination
In a city where finding an open restaurant during Tet can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, The Refinery offers something invaluable: certainty. The restaurant will be open throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations, ensuring that whether you’re craving a sophisticated meal on the first day of Tet or seeking a peaceful refuge on the third, The Refinery’s doors remain open to welcome you.
Over Two Decades of History and Hospitality
Nestled in the atmospheric Old Opium Courtyard, The Refinery has been a cornerstone of Ho Chi Minh City’s dining scene for more than twenty years. This remarkable longevity speaks volumes in a city where culinary trends come and go with the seasons. The restaurant occupies a space steeped in history, where colonial-era architecture meets contemporary comfort, creating an ambiance that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
The Old Opium Courtyard itself tells stories of Saigon’s layered past, and The Refinery has carefully preserved this heritage while evolving into a sophisticated dining destination. The building’s weathered brick walls, vintage shutters, and lush greenery transport visitors to a different era, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of District 1.
A Terrace Perfect for Lunar New Year Reflections
The Magic of Slow Days
Tet is traditionally a time for slowing down, reconnecting with family, and setting intentions for the year ahead. The Refinery’s terrace provides the ideal setting for exactly this kind of mindful celebration. As the first days of the Lunar New Year unfold, guests can settle into comfortable seating surrounded by tropical plants, with dappled sunlight filtering through the courtyard’s canopy.
The terrace embodies everything that makes Tet special: the luxury of unhurried time, the pleasure of good company, and the joy of savoring exceptional food in beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones or enjoying a peaceful moment of solitude, the outdoor space offers a sanctuary where the holiday’s true spirit can flourish.
Atmosphere That Embraces Tradition
Unlike the frenetic energy that typically defines Saigon, The Refinery during Tet transforms into a haven of tranquility. The usual rush gives way to a more contemplative pace, allowing guests to truly appreciate their surroundings. The combination of historical architecture, carefully curated décor, and the natural beauty of the courtyard creates an atmosphere that honors both Vietnamese tradition and cosmopolitan sophistication.
What to Expect During the Holiday Period
While The Refinery opens its doors throughout Tet, guests should note some adjustments to the regular menu and schedule during the holiday period:
Holiday Service Modifications:
- No sandwich menu available during Tet
- Set lunch service suspended for the holiday
- Happy hour offerings paused during the celebration period
- No brunch service on January 21st and 22nd
These temporary changes allow the kitchen team to focus on delivering exceptional à la carte dining experiences while giving staff the opportunity to enjoy portions of the holiday with their own families. The core menu remains available, featuring The Refinery’s signature dishes that have delighted guests for over two decades.
Why Choose The Refinery for Your Tet Celebration
Open When Others Close: A Tet Tradition
One of The Refinery’s most valuable offerings during Tet is simply being open for business. While the majority of Saigon’s restaurants close for multiple days during the holiday, The Refinery maintains its commitment to hospitality throughout the entire Lunar New Year period. This dedication means you can plan your Tet celebrations with confidence, knowing that exceptional dining awaits you regardless of which day you choose to visit.
The restaurant’s decision to stay open during Tet reflects its deep understanding of the diverse needs of Saigon’s community. For international residents celebrating away from their home countries, for travelers experiencing Vietnamese New Year for the first time, or for locals seeking a sophisticated alternative to traditional home gatherings, The Refinery provides a consistently excellent option throughout the holiday.
A Rare Gem That Welcomes You During Tet
In a city where most restaurants shutter during Tet, The Refinery’s decision to remain open throughout the holiday provides a valuable service to both locals and visitors. The restaurant understands that Tet celebrations take many forms, and not everyone wants to spend every meal at home or struggle to find quality dining options during the most important holiday of the year.
Whether you’re an expat looking for a festive meal away from home, a traveler experiencing Saigon during this special time, or a local seeking an alternative to traditional family gatherings, The Refinery offers a welcoming space throughout Tet without the disappointment of finding closed doors or drastically limited options. Being open during Tet is part of The Refinery’s commitment to serving the community year-round, ensuring that exceptional dining remains accessible even during the city’s quietest days.
Culinary Excellence Meets Historical Charm
The restaurant’s enduring success stems from its commitment to quality cuisine served in an unparalleled setting. The menu showcases European-inspired dishes with subtle Asian influences, crafted from premium ingredients and presented with artistry. Each plate reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of refined simplicity, where flavors speak for themselves without unnecessary embellishment.
The wine list, carefully curated over the years, offers selections that complement the cuisine perfectly, while the cocktail menu features both classics and innovative creations that showcase the skills of The Refinery’s experienced bar team.
Planning Your Tet Visit to The Refinery
Open Throughout the Holiday Period
Mark your calendar: The Refinery is open for Tet 2025. Whether you’re planning to visit on the first day of the Lunar New Year or during the extended holiday period, you can count on The Refinery to provide its signature combination of excellent cuisine, historic ambiance, and attentive service.
The first days of the Lunar New Year are ideal for visiting The Refinery. The holiday atmosphere pervades the city, with reduced traffic and a palpable sense of celebration in the air. The walk to the Old Opium Courtyard becomes part of the experience, as you navigate streets decorated with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, hearing the occasional burst of firecrackers in the distance.
Making Your Reservation
Reserve your table in advance, as The Refinery’s reputation and its status as one of the few quality restaurants open during Tet make it a popular choice for those in the know. The combination of being open during the holiday period and offering such a unique setting means tables fill quickly, especially for prime terrace seating during the pleasant afternoon hours.
Whether you’re planning a long, leisurely lunch on the terrace or an intimate dinner as the sun sets over the courtyard, The Refinery promises an experience that captures the essence of Tet: celebration, reflection, and the timeless pleasure of exceptional hospitality.
A Toast to New Beginnings
As you raise your glass on The Refinery’s terrace, surrounded by history and natural beauty, you’re participating in a tradition that has welcomed guests for over twenty years. This Tet, let The Refinery be your sanctuary, where the old and new year meet in perfect harmony, and where every moment invites you to slow down, savor, and celebrate the promise of fresh beginnings.
Chúc mừng năm mới – Happy New Year from The Refinery.
