(VOVWORLD) - A lively festival spirit is sweeping across Vietnam in the first days of spring. From ancient rituals to modern urban celebrations, each locality offers its own take on entertaining people of all ages, while keeping Lunar New Year traditions alive.
 The Lunar New Year Festival 2026 attracts large numbers of visitors. (Photo: VTC News) |
In Ho Chi Minh City, Tet Festival 2026, themed “Beauty of the Past in Today’s Brilliance,” recreates familiar images of the traditional new year, from calligraphy streets to nostalgic corners depicting southern customs and daily life. Artist Cat Tuong told VOV, "My fellow artists and I have put on ao dai and invited each other to take photos to capture beautiful moments before entering the new year. As 2026 is the Year of the Horse, we hope success will come as swiftly as a galloping horse."
 The Light and Heritage Festival 2026 is taking place at Hoi An Memories Island from February 17 to April 30. |
In central Vietnam, many visitors will attend the Spring Festival in Hue, which runs through the first three months of the year. Traditional Tet spaces and ancient capital customs will blend harmoniously with contemporary cultural and artistic performances.
In Da Nang, Tet has been rejuvenated with creative, high-energy festival spaces that still preserve local culture. From the very first day of Tet, tourists will be welcomed by the “Lucky Money Festival – Three Region Tet Celebration,” which recreates the festive spirit of northern, central, and southern Vietnam in a combined space.
The Light and Heritage Festival on Hoi An Memories Island will feature large-scale lantern installations. Under shimmering lights, the story of the 17th-century Faifo trading port—today called Hoi An—will be retold in the language of light, transporting visitors back to a cultural crossroads of the past.
According to Tran Thi Thu Huyen, CEO of Hoi An Memories Island, "The Light and Heritage Festival blends traditional lantern craftsmanship with modern technology. Massive lantern installations are used to tell historical and cultural stories, alongside drone displays in the shape of dragons and phoenixes, as well as LED drones presenting New Year wishes."
 Traditional rituals are re-enacted as part of the “Vietnamese Tet – Street Tet” program in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV) |
In contrast to the energetic celebrations in the south, Tet activities in Hanoi evoke nostalgia. Aiming to revive Tet as a “living cultural space”, the program called “Vietnamese Tet – Street Tet” allows visitors to experience rituals and customs at heritage houses, communal houses, temples, and ancient guild streets in the Old Quarter, plus contemporary art exhibitions. Folk performances of Ca Tru singing and poetry recitals deepen the mood.
Nguyen Hong Trang, Vice Chairwoman of the Hoan Kiem ward People's Committee, said, "In Hanoi’s heritage spaces, we arrange traditional Tet settings of the north and recreate a traditional Tet space at the Heritage House at 87 Ma May street. These activities aim to promote heritage values so people can enjoy Tet, feel national pride, and love Vietnamese traditions more."
 Visitors and Buddhists take part in the incense-offering ritual during the sacred “Opening Heaven’s Gate” ceremony at Mount Fansipan. (Photo: Sun World) |
Spring in the northwest bursts into color with pink peach blossoms and white plum and pear flowers, accompanied by the sounds of panpipes and folk singing among ethnic communities.
In Lao Cai, the Year of the Horse will begin with the sacred “Opening Heaven’s Gate” ceremony at Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam. In villages at the foot of the mountain, Thai ethnic people celebrate the Xen Ban and Xen Muong festivals, while the Mong community celebrates the Gau Tao festival.
 The locals and visitors witness the ceremony to erect the Neu bamboo tree inside the Hue Imperial Citadel. (Photo: VTC News) |
Held on the third day of the lunar year, the festival features rituals such as erecting the Neu bamboo tree as a spiritual barrier against evil spirits, and offering thanks to heaven and earth, together with traditional games. The Mong people’s largest annual festival, Gau Tao includes praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests. Visitor Ly Thi Quynh said she attended the festival hoping for good luck and to meet people from other provinces. The atmosphere is joyful and lively.
The energetic or nostalgic festivals held throughout Vietnam are preserving national traditions and showcasing its cultural vitality.