Christmas and NYE Party Makeup in Saigon

December in Saigon is a party month. Hotel ballrooms run Christmas dinners, rooftop bars sell countdown tickets weeks ahead, and most companies hold their year-end party on a Saturday before the holidays. If you are spending the season here, as a visitor or as someone who lives in the city, this guide covers how to get your hair and makeup done without stress on the busiest nights of the year.

KINKAY is a makeup and hair atelier in Ho Chi Minh City run by Kay, a makeup artist who has worked backstage at Miss Cosmo International and Miss Vietnam. Kay speaks English with clients, comes to your hotel or home, and hair is always part of the service.

The dates that fill up first

In 2026 both big nights fall on a Thursday:

• Christmas Eve: Thursday 24 December
• New Year's Eve: Thursday 31 December

Company year-end parties usually move to the weekend before, so Saturday 19 December is often as busy as the holidays themselves. Evening slots on these three dates are limited, because every client needs to be finished and dressed before the same few hours. The simple rule: if you already know where you will be on the night, book the slot now and settle the look later.

What a party session includes

The service for a Christmas dinner, a countdown party or a gala is the Full Glam Combo: makeup and hair together, around 90 to 120 minutes.

• Makeup built for evening light: warm ballroom lamps, rooftop LEDs, phone flash and fireworks photos
• Long-wear base and setting so it holds through dinner, dancing and the midnight countdown
• Hair styled to the outfit: soft waves, a sleek blowout or a full updo
• Kay travels to you anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. Travel inside the city is already in the price

Price: from 1,800,000 VND per person (~US$70). Hair is always included, makeup is never sold without it.

Getting ready with friends? Add more people in the same session. Partners and groomed looks for men are welcome too.

See the full list on our pricing page.

Getting ready at your hotel

Most of our December clients get ready in their room before going down to the ballroom or across to a rooftop in District 1. A few practical points that make the session smooth:

1. Light. A desk near a window or a bathroom with a big mirror works. Kay brings her own kit.
2. Timing. For a 7:00 pm dinner, start at 4:30 or 5:00 pm. Leave 20 minutes after the session to dress and take photos.
3. Outfit first. Send a photo of your dress or outfit on WhatsApp before the day. It decides the hair more than anything else.
4. Heat. December evenings in Saigon are the coolest of the year, but crowded venues still get warm. The base is chosen for that.

If you are only in the city for a few days, read our guide for short-stay visitors attending a gala or event.

Looks that work in December

There is no single "holiday look". These three come up most often:

Soft glam with a glow. Skin that looks like skin, a little shimmer on the eyes, a clean lip. Works for a Christmas dinner with family or a hotel buffet.

Classic red lip. Defined eyes, matte or satin red lip, sleek hair or a low bun. Photographs well under warm light and suits a black or white dress.

Party sparkle. More shine, a bolder eye, hair down in waves. Built for a countdown rooftop where most photos are taken at night with flash.

Not sure? Tell Kay where you are going and what you are wearing. She will suggest one look and explain why.

Year-end parties for teams

Companies in Ho Chi Minh City often book hair and makeup for the people on stage at the year-end party: hosts, performers, award winners, or the leadership team for photos. Send Kay the date, the call time and the headcount, and she will quote the team as one booking, with a receipt in your company name showing the session details and the amount. For headshots and profile photos on the same day, see corporate headshots.

How to book a December slot

1. Message Kay on WhatsApp +84 933 953 179 with the date, the start time of your party, the hotel or address, and how many people.
2. Kay confirms the session time and the price before you pay anything.
3. A deposit holds the slot. The balance is paid on the day.

All prices are in VND. US dollar amounts are for reference only.

Common questions

Do you charge extra on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve? Our published prices on the pricing page are what you pay. Kay confirms the total before you pay anything. The difference on these nights is that slots run out sooner.

Can you come to a hotel outside District 1? Yes. Anywhere inside Ho Chi Minh City is included. Outside the city, we quote travel as one fixed amount before you confirm.

Can I book makeup only, without hair? No. Hair is always part of the session. It is how the look holds together in photos.

I only arrive in Saigon a day before the party. Is that enough? Yes, as long as the slot is booked. Send your outfit photo on WhatsApp and the session can be planned before you land.

Can you stay for a touch-up before midnight? Ask when you book. Kay will tell you if the evening schedule allows it.

Spending December in Saigon? Message Kay on WhatsApp to hold your night, or see hair and makeup for events.