"Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet" 2026: Spreading traditional Tet cultural values ​​in heritage spaces.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), under the direction of the Hoan Kiem Ward People's Committee, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, in coordination with organizations and individuals, will organize the "Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet" program 2026 with the goal of recreating, preserving, and spreading traditional Tet cultural values ​​in the special heritage space of the Hoan Kiem Lake area and Hanoi Old Quarter.

The program was organized in the context of the first year of operation of Hoan Kiem ward under the two-tiered local government model, thereby affirming the proactive and creative role of the grassroots government in inheriting and promoting the value of cultural heritage, bringing heritage closer to community life and cultural activities.

With the overarching goal of "bringing the traditional Tet holiday back to its rightful place as a living cultural space," "Vietnamese Tet – Street Tet" 2026 is designed as a comprehensive series of activities where locals and tourists can not only visit and admire but also directly participate in, practice, and experience the cultural depth of Vietnamese Tet through rituals, customs, and traditional activities associated with the system of historical sites, communal houses, ancient houses, and craft streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter.

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This year, the program emphasizes the close connection between historical sites in the Old Quarter and the Hoan Kiem Lake area, thereby honoring the interplay between tangible cultural heritage and intangible cultural practices. The historical site at 22 Hang Buom Street was chosen for the first time to recreate the Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere and Tet market of the Northern Delta region. The heritage house at 87 Ma May Street, after restoration, officially reopened to visitors, offering a glimpse into the living space of a traditional Hanoi family during the days leading up to Tet.

In addition, the traditional procession and the erection of the New Year's pole continued to be organized on a larger scale and with a new approach. The procession started from the O Quan Chuong area, passing through many old streets and the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake, with the participation of traditional cultural clubs, artisans, and the community. Particularly, the image of 15 horses with riders, along with wooden horse sculptures created by children from Hoan Kiem ward, created a vibrant highlight, contributing to emphasizing the zodiac animal of the year and increasing the connection between generations within the festival space.

The "Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet" program in 2026 will take place from January 17th to March 17th, 2026, at various locations in the Old Quarter and the Hoan Kiem Lake area.

From January 17th to March 17th, the Cultural and Arts Center at 22 Hang Buom Street will host activities such as decorating and arranging traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) spaces and organizing the Vietnamese Spring Market - Street Tet 2026, showcasing and introducing handicrafts and traditional village products.

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At the same time, the Heritage House at 87 Ma May Street will recreate the living space and Tet celebration of a traditional Hanoi family, showcasing the art of carving and trimming narcissus flowers. In addition, Kim Ngan Temple (42 Hang Bac Street) and the historical site at 40 Lan Ong Street will be decorated and arranged to reflect traditional Tet customs, offering activities such as tea ceremonies and traditional Tet celebrations. At Dong Lac Temple (38 Hang Dao Street), a lacquer exhibition with the theme "Year of the Horse with the Colors of Lacquer HanoiA" will be held. The Hanoi Old Quarter Heritage Information Center (28 Hang Buom Street) will continue to feature traditional Tet spaces, expanding the series of Tet cultural experiences within the Old Quarter.

Additionally, from January 22nd to March 1st, the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center (2 Le Thai To Street) will display and introduce art works with the theme "Spring Colors of the Year of the Horse". From January 23rd to March 1st, the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center (50 Dao Duy Tu Street) will host an exhibition of traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) spaces and an art exhibition "Greeting the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026".

On February 8th, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, in coordination with various units and individuals, organized a reenactment of traditional Tet rituals, including a procession offering gifts at the temple gate and carrying flowers to announce the good news of welcoming the Year of the Horse 2026.

On February 12th (the 25th day of the 12th lunar month), a traditional banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) making activity will take place at the Cultural and Arts Center at 22 Hang Buom Street. On the same day, the public can participate in the program "Traditional Tet Traditions - Modern Tet Traditions," wearing traditional costumes to tour the Old Quarter and Hang Luoc Flower Market, following a route from 22 Hang Buom Street to Hang Luoc Street.

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As part of the program, on the evening of January 24th at the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center, 50 Dao Duy Tu Street, a traditional music performance titled "Our Music in the Old Quarter" will be presented by the Dong Kinh Ancient Music group, showcasing the essence of traditional music in the Old Quarter. Additionally, on the evening of February 12th, at the 22 Hang Buom Cultural and Arts Center, there will be a program introducing the art of Ca Tru: Han Lap Nha Ca and a cultural exchange with experts and researchers discussing the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday and performing traditional music.

Through this program, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board affirms its role as a core unit in the conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, it aims to educate the younger generation about heritage, linking conservation with tourism, trade, and creative economic development, contributing to building the image of Hanoi – a creative city where tradition and modernity blend together, shining brightly in the Hoan Kiem Spring Festival 2026.

The "Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet" program 2026 will officially open at 9:00 AM on January 17, 2026, at the Cultural and Arts Center, 22 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tet-viet-tet-pho-2026-lan-toa-cac-gia-tri-van-hoa-tet-truyen-thong-trong-khong-gian-di-san-20260115102749844.htm