Running from February 12 to February 22 (the 25th day of the last lunar month to the sixth day of Tet), the annual festival offers residents and visitors a vibrant floral showcase alongside diverse cultural activities.
A standout feature this year is the debut of live horses parading and interacting with visitors. Thoroughbreds from Madagui Racecourse in Lam Dong Province joined colourful horse mascots, adding a fresh attraction to the event.
Each day at 9 am, the horses parade around Tao Dan Park under the guidance of professional handlers. Visitors can watch, take photographs and observe the animals up close, creating a rare spectacle in the city centre during Tet.
Spanning 9.6 hectares in one of the city’s largest green spaces, the festival blends traditional themes with modern aspirations. Its open layout maximises greenery while incorporating contemporary art installations, creating a setting that feels both familiar and renewed.
At the Truong Dinh gate, three horse mascots stride toward the Hung Kings Memorial Temple, symbolising prosperity, accompanied by eight additional horse symbols expressing hopes for fortune and growth in the new year.
Meanwhile, displays at the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai gate depict galloping horses, representing speed, strength and Vietnam’s drive for global integration.
Visitors from the United Kingdom, Hugh and Alice, said they were impressed by the scale and organisation of the festival, describing the atmosphere as lively and colourful.
Beyond the main installations, the 46th festival features thousands of flowers, ornamental plants and bonsai from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces. Highlights include Cattleya and Dendrobium orchids, rare wild varieties, azalea and bougainvillea bonsai, regional yellow apricot blossoms, driftwood and rock gardens, and artistic fruit displays.
With its message of unity and forward momentum, the 46th Ho Chi Minh City Spring Flower Festival remains a cultural highlight of Tet, reflecting the resilient traditions and evolving spirit of the more than 300 year old city.
