A special year-end celebration far from home: Waiting for the day to return home for a family reunion.

During the Lunar New Year of 2026 (Year of the Horse), behind the doors of Detention Center No. 1 (Da Nang City Police), trays of five fruits, New Year's Eve meals, and handmade wall newspapers brought a warm "springtime," helping inmates alleviate homesickness and strengthen their determination to reform themselves.

A special New Year's Eve afternoon at the prison.

On the afternoon of the 29th day of the lunar month, Detention Center No. 1 of the Da Nang City Police announced that it had just held a special year-end party to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse .

There were no dazzling fireworks, but the enclosed space was still filled with the colors of spring and the warmth of human connection. In the inner courtyard, the inmates skillfully arranged trays of fruit, the red of the produce interspersed with carefully trimmed flowers.

Alongside that was the New Year's Eve feast with sticky rice cakes, braised pork, pickled vegetables… all meticulously prepared within the allotted space. In another corner, handmade wall newspapers decorated with colored paper and cardboard, their neat handwriting clearly showing the care put into them.

Inmates at Detention Center No. 1, Da Nang City Police, meticulously decorate a tray of five fruits to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

PHOTO: HX

These "hands that once erred" now carefully arrange each fruit, wrap each decorative string, encapsulating not only skill but also the aspiration to rebuild their lives. A Lunar New Year behind bars, yet not lacking in joy, excitement, and the seeds of hope for redemption being sown.

Ms. B, serving a four-year prison sentence, is celebrating her second Lunar New Year in prison with a completely different mindset. While last year was filled with feelings of sadness and self-consciousness, this year she is proactively focusing wholeheartedly on the competition to decorate the fruit platter and prepare the New Year's Eve meal with her fellow inmates .

Those "hands that once erred" carefully paint the spring colors on the prison walls.

PHOTO: HX

From selecting and arranging each type of fruit harmoniously to wrapping cardboard to make decorative vases, every step was carefully and meticulously carried out by her and her roommates. Looking at the results of her team's work, Ms. B. couldn't hide her emotion.

"These activities were really fun. The inmates gathered together to cook and prepare food, just like a family New Year's celebration, which helped me ease my homesickness. I am very grateful to the prison management for creating conditions that allowed us, even while serving our sentences, to celebrate a complete New Year. I will try my best to reform so that I can return to society soon," Ms. B shared.

As she arranged the sticky rice cakes ( bánh chưng and bánh tét) on the New Year's Eve dinner table, Ms. B added: "I only hope my family stays healthy so that when I return home, we can celebrate Tet together."

With careful hands, they arrange the five-fruit tray, conveying their hopes for a reunion during Tet (Lunar New Year).

PHOTO: HX

The New Year's Eve dinner ignites the hope of redemption.

For K., this was his first Lunar New Year after serving six months of his sentence. Having just finished the last strokes on his team's wall newspaper, K. couldn't hide his surprise at the attention he received from the prison wardens.

"During the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, we also had the opportunity to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports activities. The atmosphere was very warm. I no longer feel ashamed or afraid like I did in the first days at the camp; I told myself I would try to reform myself better," K. confided.

Cultural activities during Tet (Lunar New Year) help inmates alleviate homesickness and strengthen their resolve for good behavior.

PHOTO: HX

A lively atmosphere prevailed as the inmates worked together to complete the wall newspaper celebrating the Lunar New Year.

PHOTO: HX

To help inmates focus on rehabilitation and alleviate their homesickness during the Lunar New Year holiday, the prison management board developed a plan to organize a series of New Year's celebrations early on and implemented it throughout the holiday period.

Besides ensuring full compliance with regulations and policies, diverse competitive activities and cultural events are organized, creating a joyful atmosphere while maintaining strict discipline, security, and safety.

Major Luong Hoang Hiep, Head of the prisoner management sub-camp, said: "We understand that during Tet (Lunar New Year), prisoners' morale can easily fluctuate when they are away from their families. Therefore, in addition to ensuring they receive all the benefits as prescribed, the prison management also organizes many activities to boost their spirits, help them feel cared for, and thus stabilize their thoughts and determination to reform themselves better."

According to Major Hiep, each activity is not only for entertainment but also aims at education and rehabilitation. Through preparing meals together and decorating bulletin boards, inmates learn cooperation, sharing, and responsibility towards the group—essential skills for their future reintegration.

Representatives from Detention Center No. 1, Da Nang City Police, presented banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to inmates to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year).

PHOTO: HX

The special "New Year's Eve afternoon" came to a close as the last rays of sunlight faded behind the high walls of the prison. Neatly arranged meals, vibrant spring-themed wall newspapers hung neatly along the corridors, and above all, eyes shone with hope.

"Tet here is not just about material abundance within our means, but also an opportunity for each person to reflect on their journey so far, recognize their mistakes, and nurture the determination to rebuild their lives," said Mr. K.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tat-nien-dac-biet-o-noi-xa-cho-ngay-tro-ve-don-tet-doan-vien-185260216213839411.htm