Festive activities herald Lunar New Year of the Horse

A vibrant array of cultural and media events has been launched across Vietnam to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, highlighting both the country’s enduring traditions and its dynamic socio-economic progress.

Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the 46th Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park. (Photo: VNA)
Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the 46th Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A vibrant array of cultural and media events has been launched across Vietnam to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, highlighting both the country’s enduring traditions and its dynamic socio-economic progress.

On the evening of February 12, or the 25th day of the last lunar month, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated its 46th Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park.

Spanning 9.6 hectares and running through February 22 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year), the festival continues a nearly half-century tradition, having evolved into one of the city’s most distinctive cultural events during the Tet holiday.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that after 46 editions, the Spring Flower Festival has become more than a floral exhibition, but grown into an integral part of the city’s “Tet spirit.” Amid the pace of a modern and dynamic metropolis, the festival serves as a space where tradition converges with contemporary life and aspirations for the future.

The festival showcases thousands of orchid arrangements, bonsai works, yellow apricot blossoms, and miniature landscapes crafted by artisans from the city and across the country. Notably, this year marks the debut of nightly parades and artistic performances featuring international horse breeds, adding a fresh highlight to the celebrations.

For many residents, the Tao Dan Spring Flower Festival remains an annual rendezvous. It is expected to continue serving as a vibrant cultural and artistic space, embodying the convergence of nature’s beauty, artisans’ talent and the shared hope of millions for a prosperous and confident new year.

Also on February 12, the Hai Phong City Journalists’ Association, in coordination with the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local media agencies, opened the Spring Press Festival alongside an exhibition highlighting the port city’s socio-economic achievements in 2025.

The event commemorates the 96th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930–2026) and the 96th anniversary of the municipal Party Organisation, while celebrating the success of the 14th National Party Congress and preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year.

The Spring Press Festival features hundreds of Tet publications from Hai Phong and media outlets nationwide, offering readers a comprehensive and multidimensional overview of socio-economic development and major Party and State policies over the past year.

In addition, more than 100 outstanding photo works capturing the port city’s socio-economic achievements are on display, presenting a vivid portrait of a dynamic and modern Hai Phong./.

VNA

See more

VinFast expands presence in Southeast Asia

VinFast expands presence in Southeast Asia

Indonesia's PT Sembilan Benua Abadi is expected to purchase 10,000 VinFast EVs by the end of 2027, while PT. Satu Kosong Tujuh plans to acquire 10,000 units by the end of 2028. All vehicles will be deployed for commercial transportation services.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club in Laos make debut. (Photo: VNA)

Ao dai helps promote Vietnamese culture in Laos

The club operates under the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Conservation Support Fund, aiming to preserve and promote the values of the Vietnamese traditional dress among the Vietnamese community in Laos.

Head of the Party Central Commitee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet (first, right) presents A prize to the winning authors and groups of authors. (Photo: VNA)

More than 50 outstanding books honoured at 8th National Book Awards

Two A prizes, the highest distinction of the awards, were granted to Lich su Vietnam bang hinh (Vietnamese History in Pictures) by Dong A and multiple authors, jointly published by the Publishing House of Hanoi National University of Education and Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company.

An Ao dai collection of Lan Huong brand is introduced at the event (Photo: VNA)

Journey to bring Vietnam’s 'Ao dai' to global fashion stage

With support from the Embassy of Vietnam in the UK, Vietnamese associations across Europe, as well as business and artistic communities, the initiative seeks to establish the 'Ao dai' brand on the world fashion map. After London, the project is expected to travel to Paris and Milan, two of the world’s leading fashion capitals, to further showcase Vietnam’s cultural identity.

Tokyo Girls Collection will launch a fashion and music festival in Vietnam. (Photo: www.sggp.org.vn)

Tokyo Girls Collection Vietnam 2026 to debut in Ho Chi Minh City

The first day of TGC Vietnam will be open to the public free of charge and focus on fashion and lifestyle experiences. Activities will include Vietnam–Japan cultural exchanges, food and shopping spaces, Harajuku-inspired check-in areas, and runway shows featuring Japan’s distinctive fashion DNA.

An art performance at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese culture promoted in France

It featured traditional melodies such as the ‘dan tinh’ (a kind of musical instrument) and 'then' singing of the Tay ethnic group, Quan ho (love duet) folk songs from Bac Ninh, as well as northern and southern Vietnamese folk music, 'cai luong' (reformed opera) excerpts and well-known songs celebrating the homeland, spring and love.

An exhibition of paintings and books titled “Vietnamese Soul on French Soil” opens on March 7 in Val-de-Marne, part of the Ile-de-France region. (Photo: VNA)

Exhibition of paintings and books celebrates Vietnamese spirit in France

More than an art exhibition, the event brought together Vietnamese intellectuals and artists living in France who, despite building successful careers abroad, have continued to maintain strong ties with the homeland. It also attracted French friends who have long-standing connections with Vietnam and hold deep affection for the country.

Ao dai (traditional long dress) and other traditional Vietnamese attire showcased at the Vietnam Festival 2026 in Osaka (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Festival 2026 in Osaka spreads Vietnamese culture

Vietnam Festival 2026 in Japan is not only a cultural celebration rich in Vietnamese identity for the community in Japan, but also a vivid symbol of solidarity and close ties among overseas Vietnamese towards their homeland.

Chef Anna Le (in red dress) shares techniques and secrets for preparing Vietnamese vegetarian dishes using simple yet flavourful ingredients. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine promoted to diplomatic community in US

In Vietnam, vegetarian food is not merely a dietary choice but also a philosophy rooted in peace, compassion, and a deep respect for nature. It reflects the Vietnamese soul - gentle yet flavourful, simple yet sophisticated. Familiar ingredients such as lotus seeds, tofu, mushrooms and fresh herbs are transformed into light, nutritious dishes that embody the essence of Vietnamese gastronomy.

A performance of Vietnamese artists at the opening ceremony of the 11th Japan-Vietnam Festival (Photo: The organising board)

Vietnam–Japan festival strengthens people-to-people ties

After more than a decade of development, the Japan-Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City has become a significant international cultural exchange event and a vivid symbol of the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Visitors admire a large driftwood sculpture measuring nearly 25 metres in length and weighing around 20 tonnes, regarded as one of the most intricate works of its kind in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Driftwood “museum” in middle of Tien River

What were once tree trunks lying silently beneath the muddy waters have, through his hands, become singular sculptural works, forming an unusual visitor attraction amid the waterways of southern Vietnam.

Coaches and players of the national women's U20 team discus before their training. The team will compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 next month in Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam women chase U20 World Cup dream

The Vietnamese women squad will compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the crucial World Cup qualifying tournament, from April 1-18 in Thailand. Drawn in Group A, they will face stiff competition from China, Bangladesh and the host nation.