Tips for budget-friendly tech shopping this Tet holiday: What to choose that's both quality and affordable?

Lunar New Year is always a time for everyone to reward themselves with a meaningful gift after a year of hard work, and also an opportunity to give practical tech gifts to family and friends. In the context of rapidly developing technology, modern products are no longer just "luxury" items but have become powerful tools that make life more convenient, safe, and inspiring.

Entering 2026, the trend of technology consumption in Vietnam continues to grow strongly. Many families prioritize smart devices to improve their quality of life, while young people focus on highly practical tech gadgets that support work, entertainment, and content creation. This article will help you discover the most worthwhile tech gadgets to buy for the Lunar New Year 2026, along with reasons why they deserve a place in your shopping cart this holiday season.

1. Smart home appliances

In recent years, smart home appliances have become the top choice for many Vietnamese families thanks to their ability to comprehensively support daily life. During Tet (Lunar New Year), when cleaning, cooking, entertaining guests, and taking care of family all increase, these devices significantly reduce workload, giving you more time to rest and enjoy family gatherings.

One of the most popular smart devices is the robotic vacuum cleaner and mop. With its high level of automation, the robot can map the room, identify obstacles, automatically adjust suction power, and return to its charging dock when the battery is low. During the busy Lunar New Year holiday, the robot helps you maintain a clean house effortlessly. Newer generations from 2026 will also integrate AI Vision, allowing the robot to recognize small objects, increasing accuracy and reducing collisions.

AI security cameras are also a worthwhile consideration, especially during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) when you often travel, go on vacation, or visit your hometown. Modern cameras have features such as person detection, real-time alerts, the ability to distinguish between the movement of people, pets, and vehicles, and intelligent cloud storage. With just a smartphone, you can easily manage your home anytime, anywhere.

Meanwhile, smart switches and sockets allow you to control devices remotely, schedule on/off times, and optimize power consumption. With a suitable smart home ecosystem, you can turn on yard lights, activate the air conditioner, start the air purifier, or turn off unnecessary devices even when you're not at home.

In addition, health-related devices such as air purifiers, smart scales, and blood pressure monitors are also excellent choices for families with elderly members. They help monitor health regularly, creating a cleaner and safer living environment, especially during the dusty and busy Tet holiday.

2. Phone accessories

In recent years, phone accessories have become a "must-have" for every smartphone user. Although not expensive tech gadgets, accessories offer high practical value and also make great personalized gifts for the New Year.

Phone cases are becoming increasingly diverse in materials, ranging from silicone, TPU, and genuine leather to transparent cases or those with unique patterns to reflect personal style. A beautiful case not only protects the device from impacts but also adds an aesthetic touch, making the phone look fresher during the Lunar New Year.

In addition, products such as tempered glass screen protectors, power banks, fast charging cables, wireless charging pads, phone holders, and mini Bluetooth earphones are all affordably priced. These are extremely useful items that optimize user experience and increase device durability. Many accessory brands in 2026 will also focus on fashionable designs, sustainable materials, and safe charging technology, providing a comfortable and reassuring user experience.

3. Premium noise-canceling headphones

Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is a time of many crowded activities: family gatherings, fireworks, festive sounds, etc. Therefore, those who need a quiet space to work, read, study, or simply want to relax will greatly benefit from a high-quality noise-canceling (ANC) headset.

These improved headphone models feature next-generation active ANC technology, allowing for optimal noise cancellation while maintaining balanced and detailed sound. Additionally, many models offer transparency mode, enabling users to hear surrounding sounds when needed, ensuring safety even in crowded environments.

4. Smart Speakers

Smart speakers are becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam thanks to their ability to combine entertainment and smart home control. During the Lunar New Year season, smart speakers are ideal devices for playing spring-themed music, reading news, checking the weather, controlling lights, air conditioners, and TVs with voice commands, or setting timers for cooking.

These next-generation speakers support multiple virtual assistants, integrate better voice recognition, and can connect to hundreds of smart home devices. The price range is also very diverse, suitable for both young families and older users.

5. Instant cameras

Despite the ever-advancing smartphone technology, instant cameras still hold a special place thanks to their ability to create photos with high emotional value. During the New Year's gatherings, being able to take a photo and experience the feeling of a physical print photograph immediately brings a sense of joy and nostalgia that digital photography can hardly replace.

Instant cameras have a compact design and quick operation, making them suitable for both adults and children. Priced between 1 and 3 million VND, they are a very reasonable gift option. However, the cost of film might be a concern, as each sheet typically costs between 12,000 and 25,000 VND. Despite this, it is precisely this cost that makes each photograph more special and precious.

6. Smartwatches

Smartwatches are becoming an essential accessory in modern lifestyles. During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), when daily routines can be disrupted by activities such as house cleaning, visiting relatives, eating greasy food, or irregular sleep patterns, owning a smartwatch helps you continuously monitor your health and make timely adjustments to your lifestyle.

New generation smartwatches are capable of measuring heart rate, tracking sleep, providing stress alerts, recording calorie consumption, and supporting various sports training modes. Some professional brands like Garmin, HUAWEI, and Apple have even upgraded their health algorithms, allowing for more detailed data analysis.

In 2026, mixed reality (XR) device trends will also strongly influence the wearable technology industry. Google introduced the Android XR platform, connecting watches to the smart glasses ecosystem and AI devices, opening up even more novel experiences.

7. Action Camera

If you enjoy documenting your spring travels, participating in festivals, or simply want to capture family moments in the best possible quality, an action camera is an essential item.

Action cameras like the GoPro Hero 12 or DJI Pocket 3 boast 4K or 5K video recording capabilities, robust electronic image stabilization, and the ability to capture footage in challenging lighting conditions. Their compact size makes them easy to carry around, suitable for filming family activities, sports, hiking, traveling, or driving.

Although the price of these cameras ranges from 9 to 15 million VND, or even higher depending on the version, the image quality they deliver is absolutely worth it. This is an ideal gift for those who love creating content or want to capture a vibrant Tet holiday in their own unique way.

8. Related questions

What tech gifts should I choose for my parents this Tet holiday?

Technology gifts for seniors should focus on health care and ease of use. Suitable options include blood pressure monitors, smart scales, health tracking watches, home security cameras, or air purifiers. These devices are not only practical but also demonstrate your thoughtful care for your parents.

Should you buy headphones or a smart speaker for Tet (Vietnamese New Year)?

If you want to enjoy entertainment in a shared space like the living room, a smart speaker is a suitable choice as it can combine music playback with controlling smart home devices. Conversely, if you need privacy, want to focus on work, or relax in a noisy environment, noise-canceling headphones will provide a better personal experience.

Should you buy an instant camera when you already have a smartphone that takes great photos?

Instant cameras don't compete with high-end smartphones in terms of image quality, but their value lies in the experience. The paper photos printed immediately evoke a sense of nostalgia, add a special touch to gatherings, and can be used for decoration or as unique gifts. This is why these devices remain popular every Lunar New Year.

What tech gadgets should I buy if my budget is under 1 million VND?

For under 1 million VND, you can still own many useful items such as power banks, common Bluetooth headphones, phone holders, smart night lights, smart switches, mini cameras, wireless keyboards, or decorative LED lights. This is a suitable price range for buying gifts or treating yourself without worrying about breaking the bank.

What should you keep in mind when buying tech gadgets during Tet (Lunar New Year)?

You should prioritize carefully checking the warranty policy, product origin, user reviews, and compatibility with your existing home ecosystem. Additionally, avoid buying impulsively if the device doesn't truly suit your needs. Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time for big discounts, but a "good deal" doesn't always guarantee good quality.

The 2026 Lunar New Year is a great time to upgrade your tech lifestyle, whether you want to bring convenience to your family, find a meaningful gift for loved ones, or treat yourself. From smart home appliances and phone accessories to noise-canceling headphones, smart speakers, instant cameras, smartwatches, and action cameras, each item offers practical value and contributes to a more fulfilling spring season.