Hanoi (VNA) – Nestled in the heart of Hanoi and steeped in more than a millennium of history, the majestic Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will once again become a stage for the city’s cherished annual Happy Tet festival, running from February 6 to 10, the 19th to 23rd day of the 12th lunar month.
Announced by the municipal Tourism Department on January 21, the event promises to envelop residents, domestic travellers and international visitors in the refined warmth and profound meaning of traditional Vietnamese Tet, said its Deputy Director Nguyen Tran Quang.
The organising board is extending welcome to foreign dignitaries, businesses, organisations, expatriate communities living in Hanoi, and international students to join the event. Through a wide range of immersive activities, Happy Tet 2026 aims to awaken, especially among the youth, a deeper appreciation for Vietnam’s irreplaceable cultural heritage while quietly advancing sustainable tourism.
Sprawling across more than 7,000 sq.m, the event grounds will be artfully transformed into a living tableau of classic Tet scenes drawn from Hanoi and other regions. Every corner marries authentic cultural elements with engaging moments and refined tourism experiences, creating an irresistible draw for both locals and visitors from afar.
The February 6 evening will see the grand opening ceremony, with distinctive art performances, a formal ritual, and guided journeys through beautifully curated spaces devoted to Vietnam’s Tet customs, festive cuisine, and cultural activities.
A rich array of experiential spaces awaits. The Spring Market will conjure the bustle of pre-Tet shopping with clouds of peach blossom, kumquat and apricot trees, artfully arranged holiday gifts, delicate handicrafts and treasures sourced directly from Vietnam’s traditional craft villages.
In the “Flavours of Tet” enclave, guests are invited to savour Hanoi’s distinctive food and regional variations, rolling up their sleeves to craft “banh chung” (square glutinous rice cake), compose traditional holiday trays, and receive auspicious New Year calligraphy.
The “Spring Convergence” zone, meanwhile, will turn the spotlight on Hanoi’s most captivating destinations, heritage locations, and time-honoured festivals, while offering encounters with living crafts, including Bat Trang ceramics, Ha Thai lacquerware, Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving, Thuy Ung horn combs, and Xuan La folk figurines.
Elsewhere, areas dedicated to folk games and community activities such as tug of war, swinging, “con” throwing, human chess, and folk figurine molding will add to the vibrant spring atmosphere.
The event will blend digital innovations, including livestreams, digital check-ins, 360-degree VR experiences, and AI-guided explorations of Tet traditions and Hanoi, providing modern ways to engage with heritage and boost interactivity for younger visitors.
In partnership with the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, the department will stage a reenactment of the traditional "neu" pole-erecting ceremony, one of Vietnam’s most symbolic rituals.
Further delights will await in workshops: preparing candied fruits, making traditional pork rolls, practicing the art of calligraphy, and learning about family Tet customs.
Happy Tet 2026 is to receive support from numerous businesses, organisations, artisans, and tourism associations./.
