From anthologies of literature, poetry, music, and art for adults to emotionally rich children's books, this year's Lunar New Year book season opens up a warm cultural space, where memories, roots, and family values are retold through various contemporary artistic languages.
Publications that "open the doors" for spring.
Entering its eighth year, Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company continues to bring readers the special edition "2026 Year of the Horse Tet Book - Anthology of Literature, Poetry, Music, and Art on the Theme of Spring and Tet." Published in collaboration with Dan Tri Publishing House, this book ushers in spring through five sections: "Prelude to Spring," "Literature," "Poetry," "Music," and "Art," guiding readers through the various layers of Tet atmosphere. The edition brings together authors from multiple generations, such as writers Ma Van Khang and Nguyen Thi Thu Hue, and young writer Vo Dang Khoa, along with illustrations by renowned artists like Dang Xuan Hoa, Dao Hai Phong, and Le Tri Dung… Readers are transported back to familiar memories of Tet of yesteryear, the warmth of Vietnamese family meals, listening to the whispers of blooming flowers, immersing themselves in poems filled with aspirations and faith, understanding famous spring songs, and admiring new paintings…
Meanwhile, Kim Dong Publishing House brings "Enjoying Tet - Year of the Horse" to young readers. This meticulously selected and compiled publication is filled with the atmosphere of traditional Vietnamese Tet through a pure, innocent, and culturally rich lens. Inspired by the Year of the Horse, the work guides young readers into a familiar yet novel world of Tet, with vibrant spring colors, heartwarming feasts, and traditional Tet customs that evoke delicate emotions in children before the changing of seasons, instilling in them love for family, homeland, and cultural values.
Joining the Lunar New Year book season, Dinh Ti Publishing Joint Stock Company introduces "Fireworks on New Year's Eve" - a collection of seven short stories evoking the atmosphere of New Year's Eve through fireworks, family reunion meals, and memories of Tet past and present. Slowbooks publishing brand contributes with the book "Spring Invites the Earth to Bloom."
And “Spring Calls, the Sky is Painted with Sunlight” includes gentle stories following the footsteps of small characters, opening up spring from simple things. Lionbooks participates with “Our Family's Tet Traditions” and the book set “Open It and See Tet”, recreating Tet customs from the three regions of Vietnam through illustrations, bilingual poems, and lively accompanying gifts. The book “Loving Horse Tet” by author Canh Cam, published by Vietnam Women's Publishing House, takes readers on a journey with the wild horse Cyclone, enjoying the Tet atmosphere from the free forest to the riverside countryside of Southern Vietnam...
Most notably, the poetry collection "Tet in Truong Sa, My Homeland" by poet Lu Mai, published and distributed jointly by the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House and Thao Nguyen Culture and Communication Co., Ltd. - Carobooks, is a prime example. Through the innocent voice of six-year-old Hat Dua, Tet on the distant island appears both familiar and sacred. The short poems, with their lively rhythms and clear colors, lead young readers to a spring on the islands, brimming with the colors, rhythms, and beauty of nature and people.
Connecting family, roots, and the present day.
In recent years, books and publications for Tet (Lunar New Year) have become familiar spiritual gifts, carrying traditional values in language accessible to many generations. Poet Lu Mai, author of the book "Tet in Truong Sa, My Homeland," shared: "For me, Tet is always a very sacred time that makes people want to return to their deepest values: family, roots, memories, and gratitude. I chose to participate in this year's Tet book season because I want to contribute another perspective and some lovely little stories about Tet in the front lines, where soldiers guard the islands day and night. I have been to Truong Sa, and those experiences have made me feel a responsibility in my writing career and a need to convey it right now that spring has arrived."
Regarding this year's Lunar New Year book season, poet Lu Mai feels that the publications are eye-catching, engaging, vibrant, and still delve into the cultural, historical, memory, and identity dimensions. "Lunar New Year books are gradually becoming a spiritual gift that helps readers, especially young readers, better understand their roots, giving each family more quiet time to read together, share stories, and remember enduring values," poet Lu Mai expressed.
Artist Kim Duan, who has been responsible for the art direction of Dong A's Tet Book project from its inception to the present, shared: “I want the Tet Book to feel close, familiar, and connected to the Vietnamese psyche. I chose to draw the zodiac animals in a folk style, inspired by Dong Ho paintings and other traditional art forms, so that viewers can recognize them immediately. Besides that, the illustrations still maintain a modern spirit, expressed through actions, clothing, and scenes of everyday life today, creating a fresh and lively feeling.” According to artist Kim Duan, this year, the image of the horse inspired him greatly with the idea of a strong new year, always moving forward, so he completed the project very quickly.
According to Vu Thi Quynh Lien, Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House, Tet books bear the imprint of Vietnamese culture and spirit. Each Tet book is a carefully crafted gift, from content to form, opening a space for children to connect with their cultural roots and aesthetics, while helping adults rediscover childhood memories and feel the connection of family and community.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/mua-sach-tet-binh-ngo-2026-mo-loi-ve-coi-nguon-729730.html
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