Tet strengthens the bond between the military and the people.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year 2026, throughout the communes and wards of Hanoi, the green of military uniforms is becoming the warmest color of spring.

From early morning, the sound of bamboo brooms sweeping the streets, the lively laughter and chatter around pots of sticky rice cakes, and the trucks carrying Tet gifts to the people... all created a springtime scene full of heartfelt camaraderie between the military and the people.

Nurturing spring through concrete actions.

Officers and soldiers of the 544th Engineering Battalion, along with local militia, clean the martyrs' cemetery in Phuc Thinh commune. Photo: Huu Thu

This year, the Tet atmosphere in Phuc Thinh commune arrived early, in the first days of February. The commune's martyrs' cemetery was clean and solemn after a cleanup campaign by the commune's Military Command, youth union members, and the 544th Engineering Battalion (Hanoi Capital Command). The trees were neatly trimmed, and each incense burner was carefully cleaned. For the soldiers, this was not just a duty, but also a heartfelt tribute to the generations of their forefathers. In the afternoon, the commune's stadium buzzed with the cheers of friendly football and tug-of-war matches. Under the spring rain, officers, soldiers, and local youth mingled together in joyful laughter. The distance between the military and civilians disappeared, replaced by the closeness of those sharing the joy of welcoming the new year.

The most touching moment was when the Tet gifts were personally handed out to families receiving government assistance and those in difficult circumstances. Each gift bag carried a heartfelt wish for a prosperous new year. Veteran Phan Duc Ky from Phu Lien village shared: "I felt heartwarming when the soldiers came to my village. Their dignified demeanor and friendly nature made the people trust and love the soldiers of Uncle Ho even more."

In Dan Phuong commune, the "Tet Reunion - Spring Gratitude to the Party" festival, held over several days, transformed village roads and alleys into vibrant community spaces. Cadres, soldiers, and the people participated in environmental cleanup, clearing bushes, and beautifying the landscape. A highlight of the program was the distribution of over 1,000 subsidy packages by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City, the Hanoi City Federation of Labor, and companies in the commune to union members, association members, workers, students, and households in particularly difficult circumstances; the provision of 25 bus tickets for workers from distant areas to return home for Tet; and the giving of 200 shopping vouchers totaling over 1.2 billion VND. In particular, activities such as making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and traditional folk games further strengthened solidarity.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong from Dan Phuong commune emotionally shared: “Being able to wrap and boil banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) together with the officers and soldiers of the commune's Military Command, we felt very warm and affectionate. The Tet meal truly is a 'bond' that connects feelings, and through it, we love and trust the soldiers even more.”

Soldiers and civilians participate in cultural performances at the "Military-Civilian Tet" program in Dong Ke village, Tran Phu commune. Photo: Tran Dong.

In Dong Ke village, Tran Phu commune, the "Military-Civilian Tet" program was organized by the local authorities, officers and soldiers of the 18th Special Forces Battalion ( Hanoi Capital Command), and several other military units stationed in the area. Green sticky rice cakes were wrapped amidst a lively atmosphere filled with laughter. The sounds of gongs and drums, and the vibrant bamboo pole dance, added a colorful cultural touch to the spring festivities.

“The soldiers and the people worked together to prepare the ingredients, wrap the cakes, and cook them in a spirit of sharing and closeness. The program left a positive impression, contributing to strengthening the people's trust in the Party, the State, and the Army, and creating momentum for the locality to continue developing in the new year,” shared Mr. Le Van Chuyen from Dong Ke village.

In Minh Chau island commune, a special highlight of the "Military-Civilian Tet" program, besides meaningful gifts, was the completion of the expansion of a nearly 1km-long underground culvert – the commune's only access route during the dry season – by officers and soldiers of the Hanoi Capital Command. Despite the complex terrain and weak soil, the engineering officers and soldiers worked diligently, determined to complete the project safely and to a high standard. For the people of Minh Chau, this is the most practical Tet gift, offering hope for long-term development in the locality.

Strengthening the "people's support"

The "Military-Civilian Tet" program in 2026 is being organized in the context of localities in the city operating a two-tiered government model for the first time, further highlighting the significance of the close bond between the military and the people.

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Phuc Thinh commune, Dang Minh Thang, affirmed: "Despite the tight preparation time, with the dedicated support of military units and businesses, the program truly became a festival, spreading a warm sense of humanity on the eve of the Lunar New Year 2026."

Local people and officers and soldiers of the Dan Phuong Commune Military Command together wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: Truong Huan.

Joining hands with the city to ensure the people have a warm and joyful Lunar New Year celebration, the Hanoi Capital Command has mobilized nearly 1,000 officers and soldiers to various localities to implement the "Military-Civilian Tet" program. Major General Dao Van Nhan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Commander of the Hanoi Capital Command, said: "Besides assisting the people, officers and soldiers of the Hanoi Capital Command also provide gifts, free medical examinations, and health consultations in 11 communes and wards. The Hanoi Capital Command also directs the Military Commands of the remaining communes and wards to do a good job of advising local Party committees and authorities; proactively coordinate in building and implementing programs to care for the people during Tet, especially for policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor households, and people with difficult circumstances."

The "Military-Civilian Tet" activities not only aim to care for the well-being of the people but also serve as an opportunity to educate about traditions, helping the younger generation better understand the cultural values ​​of the traditional Tet holiday, fostering patriotism and community responsibility. When soldiers and civilians sit together around a pot of steaming banh chung (traditional rice cake), clean a road together, and exchange meaningful gifts, that spring becomes a spring of faith and solidarity. This is also the strong "bond" that continues the tradition of "the military and the people being like fish and water," so that every time Tet comes and spring arrives, the capital becomes even warmer and more affectionate...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tet-gan-ket-quan-dan-733299.html