The story of people searching for happiness.

"Vietnam Happy Fest 2025" took place in the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi). This was not only a series of cultural and artistic activities but also a journey of rich emotions, where the public could discover the values of happiness through many modern and humanistic perspectives.

Opening up a unique artistic space.

The area surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake has been transformed, becoming increasingly beautiful to welcome this unique event. The locations of the 13 joyous events have also become clearly defined in the minds of Hanoi residents, while the Organizing Committee continues to work tirelessly day and night to make the flower carpets even more vibrant, and the photos even more radiant with Vietnamese smiles…

Amidst the bustling crowds around Hoan Kiem Lake from early morning until late at night, it's hard to spot Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information ( Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ) , because, like everyone else, he always has a friendly and hospitable smile on his face. Sharing with the people about the event, Director Pham Anh Tuan said that the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is an event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Hanoi People's Committee, Vietnam Television, and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

The overall concept of the event is the "Road to Happiness," featuring 13 experiential activities stretching from Le Thai To Street, through Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hang Khay Street, and ending at the stage in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. All these unique activities aim to spread the message of a "happy Vietnam."

The series of activities aims to stir the hearts of everyone when mentioning the sacred phrase "Socialist Republic of Vietnam - Independence, Freedom, Happiness," which has resonated for over eight decades. This message has reached far and wide, spreading positive images of Vietnam and its people – an independent, free, and happy nation, rich in cultural and historical traditions, dynamic, creative, and increasingly asserting its position on the international stage.

On the last night before the grand festival, as the night deepened, the first easterly winds stirred the air by Hoan Kiem Lake. The weather turned chilly, yet beads of sweat still dotted the faces of those planting the "tree of happiness." These were Bodhi trees brought from the sacred land of the two kings of Duong Lam at the foot of the sacred Tan Linh mountain, where the leading figure of the "Four Immortals" of Vietnam resided.

The "Tree of Happiness" is located in the area around Ba Kieu Temple, where traffic rushes from Dinh Tien Hoang Street towards Hang Dau and Hang Dao streets...

Compared to the original planned location of the "Tree of Happiness" at the foot of the statue of King Ly Thai To, the new location chosen for the tree is not far away, in the area of Ba Kieu Temple, where traffic rushes from Dinh Tien Hoang Street towards Hang Dau and Hang Dao streets... Here, the "Tree of Happiness" will be more suitable for many Hanoi residents to admire and send their wishes for national prosperity and peace, and tranquility from every home.

Looking towards the future

Speaking of the "Tree of Happiness"—a special highlight of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 program—we must mention the recent exhibition "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness."

The "Tree of Happiness" in the exhibition grounds received countless wishes. The organizers were deeply moved by the fact that most of the wishes expressed a desire for the country to flourish, and for everyone to be happy and prosperous, just as the beloved President Ho Chi Minh wished, to whom he dedicated his entire life.

The Tree of Happiness also represents the aspiration for a happy Vietnam, with 365 days a year always carrying the beautiful meaning of radiant smiles… The Tree of Happiness is a place to preserve happy moments and messages from each participant… Each card hung up is not only a wish, but also contributes to nurturing happiness to spread and grow, becoming a symbol connecting HAPPINESS in Vietnam. May every wish hung on the Tree of Happiness come true for everyone.

Ms. Le Thuy Hang, the "father" of the "Tree of Happiness" idea, from the "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" exhibition to the "Vietnam Happy Fest 2025" event, shared that people can send wishes and messages of love onto the "Tree of Happiness." The "Tree of Happiness" symbolizes prayers for national peace and prosperity, and a peaceful home; it is a beautiful cultural aspect of the community, connecting hearts to hearts, and is also a meaningful custom and cultural tradition with a communal character...

"The 'Tree of Happiness' not only symbolizes healing and connecting hearts, but also sharing worries and aspirations. Each card hung up is like a 'seed of happiness' sown with love and faith. Every day, we nurture it so that happiness grows, spreads, and becomes a symbol of connecting happiness in Vietnam. The Tree of Happiness is not just a part of the exhibition, but a testament to the belief that: when shared, happiness will bear sweet fruit," Ms. Hang said emotionally.

Many locals helped move the Happy Tree and considered touching it a way to "get good luck".

The Bodhi tree, a sacred tree deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings, is chosen to sow the seeds of happiness. In the heartfelt beliefs of the Vietnamese people, the Bodhi tree also symbolizes good fortune, auspiciousness, protection from evil spirits, and purification from impurities and negativity. Many believe that planting a Bodhi tree helps people cultivate virtue and accumulate merit for this life and the next.

Mr. Kieu Binh Hung (from Hamlet 5, Tich Giang, Phuc Tho Commune, Hanoi), the owner of the Bodhi tree chosen as the "Tree of Happiness," shared: "During my many visits to Duong Lam ancient village, I was impressed by the Bodhi tree's trunk, spreading out like a mother's arms embracing an ancient house overflowing with happiness. I begged the owner to let me take the tree to cultivate. When I first brought it home, the tree showed signs of weakness and lacked leaves. I was worried it wouldn't survive... But strangely enough, when the organizers of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 happened to pass by and chose the tree as the 'Tree of Happiness,' green shoots began to sprout and it has become as healthy as it is now."

Continuing the story from the owner of the "Happiness" Bodhi tree, Director Pham Anh Tuan shared: Initially, when choosing the Bodhi tree as the "happiness tree," the program organizers meticulously searched for beautiful and suitable tree trunks... And during that long journey of searching, the organizers intended to choose a different tree trunk, even though it wasn't ideal. While traveling through Duong Lam, the car broke down and stopped right in front of Mr. Kieu Binh Hung's garden. While waiting for the car to be repaired, by chance, the image of the Bodhi tree in the garden, now without a single leaf, suddenly appeared, as if hinting at something, urging us on...

Strangely, after 100 days, from its gnarled, ancient branches, the "tree of happiness" suddenly sprouted vibrant green leaves, like bells fluttering in the wind, beckoning. Not betraying those who sought happiness, the Bodhi tree was placed in its rightful position to receive and spread the wish for happiness for a strong and prosperous Vietnam in the future.

The event attracted considerable attention from both domestic and international tourists.

Furthermore, "Vietnam Happy Fest 2025" continues to affirm Vietnam's image as a peaceful, compassionate, and sharing country. Happiness is not only expressed through art, creativity, or the joy of reunion, but also through a spirit of community, especially in the central region – where the compassionate hearts of the entire nation are turning their attention.

Looking to the future, the program aims to organize an annual "Happy Vietnam" Day, a national cultural landmark and an attractive destination for international friends. Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is not only a cultural and entertainment event but also a strategic solution contributing to building and protecting the nation in the new era.

Source: https://vietmy.net.vn/chuyen-ve-nhung-nguoi-di-tim-hanh-phuc-4c1144f42.html?