Spring is filled with aspirations for prosperity.
These days, the streets of Ho Chi Minh City are relatively clear as many people have taken advantage of the opportunity to return to their hometowns or travel early for Tet (Lunar New Year). The noise of car engines has subsided, the sky seems much bluer, further enhancing the vibrant colors of chrysanthemums and apricot blossoms that fill every street. Driving in the cool weather, with a light spring rain, many people share that they feel a sense of excitement and exhilaration. The song "The First Spring" resonates in their hearts, marking the official beginning of a new era.
Never before has Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the Lunar New Year with such a vibrant display of red flags and yellow stars. Since the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the national flag has been flying proudly throughout the streets, avenues, and houses... It feels as if the country has been celebrating the New Year ever since the success of this historically significant Party Congress.
The spirit of spring and prosperity is evident everywhere, reflected in the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations of major cities and urban areas across the country. In the photo: young people checking in at Ba Son Park (Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
Having prepared the offerings to bid farewell to the Kitchen God and the Stove God, Mr. Nguyen Van Ban (residing in Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) slowly walked to the end of the alley to chat with a group of elderly people, welcoming the atmosphere of the new spring.
No one is left behind.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that all levels, sectors, localities, and businesses focus on providing substantive support and diversifying forms of care for people during Tet (Lunar New Year), expressing gratitude to those who have contributed to the nation, giving gifts to poor households and workers, and ensuring a safe and healthy Tet holiday.
Many units and localities have proactively and actively implemented the Prime Minister's directives. For example, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels coordinated the organization of zero-cost or discounted markets, distributed Tet gifts and traditional green sticky rice cakes to the poor and people in remote areas; Ho Chi Minh City allocated 210 billion VND from various funds to care for vulnerable groups during Tet, focusing on disadvantaged people, the elderly living alone, orphaned children, and workers who could not return home for the holidays. Hanoi presented more than 1.16 million Tet gifts (total cost over 574.4 billion VND) to policy beneficiaries and people with meritorious services...
Reading President Ho Chi Minh's poem wishing a Happy New Year in 1968: "This spring is far better than previous springs," Mr. Nguyen Van Ban expressed: "At my age, everyone in the neighborhood has passed away. It's incredibly fortunate that we're still alive to witness this new historical period of the country. This year, we elderly people even received extra money from the government. This is the glorious Party, serving the people and the nation. From last year until now, watching the news, I've seen the Central Committee talk a lot about the new era – an era of building a strong, prosperous country, where the people become wealthier. There are many reforms and changes, especially in transportation like the metro running only on electricity, things that in my time I couldn't even dream of. On the eve of the Year of the Horse, with what the country is going through and the Central Committee's upcoming plans, I believe the country will prosper. I don't have much time left, but for future generations, for my children and grandchildren..." "That would be a blessing for the nation."
It's not just those who have been with the country from the brutal years of war to peace and reform, like Mr. Nguyen Van Ban, who feel nostalgic; the younger generation – those directly shouldering the mission of leading the country into a new era – also clearly sense the special atmosphere of the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026.
Passing by the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium (Xuan Hoa Ward), Le Minh Trung (26 years old, Tan Phu Ward) expressed his surprise at seeing the once barren land with its rusty corrugated iron fence transformed into a lush green park with many colorful flowers. He had previously heard that the city would build nine more parks on vacant prime land to provide residents with more "green spaces" for Tet (Lunar New Year), but honestly, Minh Trung thought it would be too late. Seeing the park in full bloom with his own eyes, the 26-year-old was extremely excited.
"As a representative of Generation Z, I feel that the first spring of the new era is not just the beginning of a year, but also a milestone of faith, aspirations, and a long-term vision for the country's development. The concrete changes in recent times have clearly demonstrated this. In Ho Chi Minh City, the completion of 9 parks to serve the people during the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 not only contributes to beautifying the urban landscape but also shows concern for the spiritual life of the people. These green spaces are symbols of a civilized, modern, and humane city," Trung shared.
If Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time for people to pause, reflect, and look towards the future, then this spring holds even more special significance: it is a spring of strengthened faith and clearly defined aspirations. When this faith and aspiration spread throughout families and communities, it forms a solid foundation for the long-term development of the nation.
Associate Professor Phan An, cultural researcher
According to Le Minh Trung, this year his grandmother received New Year's lucky money from the State, from the central government to the city, totaling nearly 1 million VND, including a gift for her 80th birthday. The amount isn't huge, but it's proof of sustainable social welfare policies, reflecting the nation's principle of "drinking water, remembering the source"; thus helping the younger generation have more confidence in a just society where all contributions are recognized and appreciated. In particular, new construction projects such as the Trong Dong Stadium, the Can Gio reclaimed land urban area, and the North-South high-speed railway demonstrate Vietnam's aspiration to reach world-class standards. Simultaneously, the commitment to preserving the natural ecosystem from construction projects and proactively responding to climate change reflects a harmonious development orientation between the economy and the environment – something that the younger generation is especially concerned about.
"I don't yet have enough knowledge to fully understand the meaning of the concept of a new era, but I clearly feel the significant changes shaping the country's development. Changes, both small and large, have begun to manifest in the lives of every citizen. For example, this year, my grandmother prepared two large feasts for all the children and grandchildren because she received money from the government. It's a simple thing, but it's incredibly joyful. This very atmosphere is instilling in our generation of young people a clear sense of responsibility: to constantly learn, innovate, cultivate character and ethics, and be ready to contribute to the rapid and sustainable development of the country. We believe that with the unity of the entire nation and the aspirations of the younger generation, Vietnam will continue to make strong breakthroughs in the coming time," Le Minh Trung shared.
Welcome the new year with a new look.
2026 also marks the first Lunar New Year celebration in the country with a new look after the historic reconstruction. Following mergers, many localities have expanded their area by 2-3 times, possessing forests, coastlines, and larger populations, thus celebrating the New Year on a much larger scale.
The red flag with a yellow star celebrates the Party and the Lunar New Year.
PHOTO: NA
For example, Ho Chi Minh City's Spring Flower Street for the Year of the Horse 2026 was organized simultaneously at three locations: Nguyen Hue pedestrian street (Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), Thu Dau Mot Ward (formerly Binh Duong province), and Vung Tau Ward (formerly Ba Ria-Vung Tau province). This was also the first year that the flower street – a symbol of Tet in Ho Chi Minh City – applied light mapping and AR, with the Year of the Horse mascot projected directly onto the horse's body, telling a story from the legend of Saint Giong to the aspirations for development of a modern city. The Year of the Horse mascot was designed with a lively and robust form to express the strong, resilient, and confident spirit of the city in its new development phase.
This year, in particular, the people of Ho Chi Minh City have a new place to celebrate the Lunar New Year. For the first time, the most remote area of the city is hosting a spring festival lasting three weeks. In just the past year, this forgotten coastal region has risen strongly, boasting an urban area that is the first official candidate in the "7 Future Urban Wonders" selection campaign; a multi-billion dollar sea bridge and urban rail project; and "Tet in a Green Paradise," offering the first "festival within a festival" experience to welcome the New Year in Vietnam, including a spring flower festival, a hot air balloon festival, paragliding demonstrations, and a food festival featuring cuisine from all three regions of Vietnam… Ho Chi Minh City has a new "magnet" attracting tourists this spring.
The first spring of the new era is not a declaration of achievements, but a reminder of responsibility. That responsibility is to preserve cultural identity during the integration process; to build a humane and just society; and to nurture faith in the future.
Associate Professor Phan An
In the heart of the city, every alleyway has donned a new look with vibrant decorations: red lanterns, LED string lights, miniature scenes of apricot and peach blossoms, and New Year's couplets. Each place has its own unique charm, but every spring in Ho Chi Minh City exudes a spirit of exuberance and a strong aspiration to rise with the nation into an era of wealth and prosperity.
In Hanoi, after nearly a month of festivities spanning from mid-January until now, the capital city has just inaugurated its first Spring Fair in 2026. More than just a series of artistic programs and unique experiential activities creating a vibrant atmosphere at the beginning of the year, the Spring Fair also celebrates "Made in Vietnam" products, fosters national pride, and promotes the spirit of "Vietnamese people prioritizing the use of Vietnamese goods."
According to the organizers, "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" is not just an economic slogan, but a cultural choice, an action that demonstrates faith in the creativity of domestic businesses, in the hands of artisans in traditional villages, and in agricultural products from Vietnamese fields.
Visitors to the fair can begin their journey with products from the South, visit specialties from the midland region, linger in the traditional Tet atmosphere of Hanoi, and end with the lively street food. It's not just a sightseeing route, but an emotional journey, where every step touches a part of the nation's identity. With the message "Connecting Prosperity - Welcoming a Glorious Spring," the fair is not just a shopping event at the beginning of the year, but also a gathering place for Vietnamese identity, market confidence, and the aspiration for sustainable development and self-reliance of the nation in the new era.
The traditional Lunar New Year holds sacred value in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
In Central Vietnam, the image of Da Nang's horse mascot "galloping" by the Han River has become a popular check-in spot in recent days. Amidst a plethora of colorful mascot models across the country, the golden horse with its unique design, named "Kim Ma Hop Nhat" (Golden Horse Unification), impresses not only with its exquisite details but also with its majestic physique. The nearly 3-meter-tall horse is meticulously assembled from the names of 94 communes, wards, and special zones in Da Nang after the merger. Notably, the word "Da Nang" is designed in the largest size on the horse's back, symbolizing unity and solidarity. The image of the horse galloping towards the river represents Da Nang's aspiration to rise, innovate, and develop strongly in the new era.
Throughout all three regions of Vietnam—North, Central, and South—images of a prosperous spring are everywhere. The aspirations of the entire nation are merging into the identity of this new spring, both traditional and modern, hướng towards an era of wealth and prosperity.
When belief and aspiration spread, the country will become strong and prosperous.
Southern Vietnamese cultural researcher and author Nham Hung assessed: This year's Tet atmosphere in Southern Vietnam has a special character; from the city center to the suburbs, from traditional flower markets to tourist areas, everywhere is bustling. Local authorities have invested heavily in flower streets, mascots, miniature landscapes, and fireworks displays, creating a vibrant Tet atmosphere. This is not only the annual hustle and bustle but also reflects the new mindset of localities in the context of reorganizing administrative spaces and expanding urban scale. Local leaders all want people to celebrate Tet in a new atmosphere, with new joy, on a new journey of development.
Associate Professor Phan An, a cultural researcher, believes that the traditional Lunar New Year is not just an annual festival but a sacred value in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Entering this spring, the significance of Tet is further amplified as the country has just gone through challenging periods of post-pandemic trauma and global economic fluctuations. In the context of a world still facing many uncertainties, Vietnam has maintained stability and recovered growth, while gradually enhancing its position on the international stage. "This creates a new mindset in society: a more confident, proactive mindset with clearer faith in the chosen path of development," he observed.
People everywhere are beaming with joy as they welcome the first spring of the new era.
PHOTO: NA
Associate Professor Phan An emphasized: The strategic directions established in recent Party Congresses have opened a new phase of development with higher and faster goals, but still must be sustainable. In this process, culture cannot stand aside but must accompany it as a spiritual foundation.
The Party and the State have determined that growth is only truly meaningful when people's lives are concretely improved, and when social welfare policies and support for the poor and vulnerable are practically implemented. Development must be linked to people. When people feel their lives are improving, social trust will be strengthened.
Having experienced many ups and downs in the country's history, Associate Professor Phan An stated that he still maintains faith in the resilience of the national spirit. Vietnamese people have a very strong ability to adapt. After each difficulty, we find new motivation to rise again. The important thing is to maintain stability, unity, and the aspiration for development.
"If Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time for people to pause, reflect, and look towards the future, then this spring holds even more special significance. It is a spring of strengthened faith and clearly defined aspirations. When that faith and aspiration spread throughout every family and community, it will be the solid foundation for a long-term development journey for the country," cultural researcher Phan An hoped.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xuan-thinh-vuong-185260211225242395.htm
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