Opening of the Vietnam Happy Day Festival, impressive with the mass wedding of 80 couples

Attending the ceremony were Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Ha Thi Nga; Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh; along with representatives of leaders of departments, ministries, branches, local socio- political organizations, international organizations, embassies in Vietnam...

Artistic activities in the opening program of Happy Vietnam Festival. Photo: Tran Huan

Happiness is built from peace

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh emphasized that the Happy Vietnam Festival is a special festival, so that every citizen and tourist coming to the capital on this occasion can feel the happiness of Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh stated that 2025 marks a proud milestone when Vietnam rose to 46th place in the Global Happiness Index Report, up 8 places compared to the previous year. These are not just statistical numbers, but also a recognition of the persistent efforts of the Party, State and people of Vietnam in creating a peaceful and humane environment and, above all, reflect the optimistic and benevolent spirit of the Vietnamese people. At the same time, it reflects the aspirations, solidarity and unanimity of millions of Vietnamese people in moving towards a prosperous, prosperous and loving future.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh speaks. Photo: Phan Anh.

Also according to Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh, the 3rd Happy Vietnam Awards, organized on the platform to promote Vietnam's image - Vietnam.vn, has continued to reap many successes. In 2025, the contest attracted more than 4,600 authors with more than 17,000 photos and video clips; 1.7 times higher than last year. Each work is a touching story, a true slice of Vietnam; the peaceful, beautiful life, changing positively every day of the Vietnamese people.

“2025 is also a year with many important events for the country, including the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, the reunification of the country and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day. In that context, each work participating in the award is a prism of happiness, creating pieces and from there 'painting' a peaceful, beautiful and developed Vietnam,” said Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh.

Opening of the Happy Vietnam Festival. Photo: Tran Huan.

Happy Vietnam is not just a contest but has become a festival of happiness. For the Vietnamese people, happiness is created from simple things. It is these seemingly small values that have created the lasting strength of the Vietnamese people through thousands of years of history.

Mr. Le Hai Binh also said, “Happy Vietnam Fest 2025” was born as a journey of diverse and rich experiences. The space of this year’s event is organized around the Hoan Kiem Lake walking street with 13 “emotional beats”.

Delegates attending the program. Photo: Phan Anh.

Deputy Minister Le Hai Binh said that Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is not only a festival of today, but also a premise for Vietnam to build an annual Vietnam Happy Festival. A special day to remind that the happiness of Vietnamese people is built from peace, from the love of each person, from the will to overcome difficulties, the spirit of solidarity, the simple things that make up the cultural identity of Vietnam.

This is also an affirmation that Vietnam is not only a destination of beauty, country and people, but also a destination of humanity, peace and faith in a bright future.

When love is spread

One of the highlights of the opening program of “Happy Vietnam Day” was the group wedding of 80 couples. In the chilly early winter air, amidst the poetic space of Hoan Kiem Lake, 80 couples exchanged vows, spreading their love to thousands of witnesses. The organizers said that 80 couples participating in this event symbolized the 80th anniversary of “Independence - Freedom - Happiness” of the Vietnamese people since the successful August Revolution and National Day September 2.

Group wedding photos of 80 couples. Photo: Organizing Committee

On the stage of the program, 80 couples sang together, exchanged kisses, eyes and loving gestures. Among them, there were couples who were about to get married, newlyweds; there were also many couples who had been married for 15, 20, 50 years but still kept the flame of love, spreading happiness to their children and grandchildren.

At the wedding, there were two couples representing two generations in one family, namely Nguyen Thi Chin and Vu Hong Thieu (Hai Phong) and their soon-to-be-married son Vu Thanh Tung and Pham Thi Hong Minh, who could not hide their happiness when the whole family held a group wedding for the first time.

The two couples are two generations in one family, that is the couple Nguyen Thi Chin - Vu Hong Thieu (Hai Phong) and their soon-to-be-married son couple Vu Thanh Tung - Pham Thi Hong Minh. Photo: Hoang Lan

Sharing with Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Chin said: “We are extremely happy to be able to wear our wedding dress again, a testament to our 30 years of lasting happiness. Our happiness is even more multiplied when we can also hold a wedding with our son.”

According to Ms. Pham Thi Hong Minh, as soon as she heard about the group wedding, she discussed with her fiancé to register it for her parents to create the most memorable moment of their lives. “This is one of the most beautiful memories in our lives. And we hope this memory will help keep the flame of happiness and love in our future married life,” Ms. Minh expressed.

Joining in the general happy atmosphere, Mr. Ninh Van Hieu and his wife - Nguyen Thi Phuong Minh and their three children kept many beautiful pictures of the family. Mr. Hieu said that this wedding was also their 17th wedding anniversary, marking the journey of love and attachment that they have preserved and cultivated.

Ninh Van Hieu and his wife with their children at the group wedding. Photo: Hoang Lan

“When I was a child, my children asked me: Why did my parents get married without having children? Therefore, as soon as my wife registered to attend the group wedding, I was very supportive, because this was an opportunity for our family to have beautiful moments together and importantly, the whole family was present at our parents' wedding,” Mr. Hieu shared.

During the wedding ceremony, the love stories, bonds, and sharing of the couples spread the value of happiness to the attendees. Their happiness is not only personal but also has a typical meaning of how Vietnamese families preserve and cultivate love and happiness.

Couples spread happiness and love. Photo: B

Couples spread happiness and love. Photo: BTC

Sharing joy with the couples at the wedding ceremony, Director of the Department of Grassroots Information and External Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) Pham Anh Tuan shared that happiness is marriage and marriage is the source of happiness.

“The happiness of the couples today will spread the message of love, connection and hope — not only within each family, but also throughout Vietnam and more broadly with international friends,” said Mr. Pham Anh Tuan.

Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 takes place over three days (December 5-7) in the Hoan Kiem Lake area and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Hanoi). The event's overview is "The Road of Happiness" with a journey of 13 activities stretching from Le Thai To Street to Hang Khay Street, through Dinh Tien Hoang Street with 13 experience points: Vietnam Happy Exhibition; digital interactive space; photobooth and art exhibition areas; happy tree; happy prism; happy map...

- Evening of December 6: Awarding ceremony of "Happy Vietnamese Human Rights Media Award".

- Afternoon of December 7: Hundred Flowers of Joy event at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, where people and tourists can admire the procession in colorful Vietnamese costumes, rituals reminiscent of traditional weddings and solemn, intimate images of happy days of the past.

- Evening of December 7: Vietnam Happy Fest Music Gala with the participation of many beloved young artists such as Bui Cong Nam, Lam Bao Ngoc... The event is open free of charge to residents and tourists.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khai-mac-ngay-hoi-viet-nam-hanh-phuc-an-tuong-voi-dam-cuoi-tap-the-cua-80-cap-doi-725880.html