The festival opened on Saturday at the Youth Cultural House, turning the downtown venue into a vibrant spring setting filled with yellow apricot blossoms and contemporary art inspired by traditional symbols.
Now in its 18th year, the annual Tet Viet Festival is among the city’s most popular cultural events, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The 2026 edition aims to honour traditional values while showcasing the creativity and dynamism of a modern city.
A highlight of this year’s programme is a contemporary exhibition featuring six oversized horse sculptures symbolising strength, intelligence, speed, joy, resilience and new beginnings. Designed as interactive installations, the works invite visitors to reflect on positive aspirations for the year ahead.
Alongside the modern displays, the festival recreates traditional Tet scenes, including a calligraphy street, apricot flower lanes, ceremonial bamboo poles and a “spring kitchen”, reflecting the cultural heritage and festive customs of southern Vietnam.
“I’m impressed by the blend of traditional horse imagery and modern art. It feels fresh and inspiring,” said Tran Minh Duc, a visitor from Hanoi.
Brazilian tourist Camila Rocha said the exhibition’s design drew her in and deepened her interest in Vietnam’s Lunar New Year traditions.
According to Nguyen Hong Phuc, director of the Youth Cultural House, the festival has become a familiar meeting point each spring, offering cultural and artistic experiences while serving as a popular destination for photography and family outings.
The Tet Viet Festival 2026 runs until February 21, from the 14th day of the 12th lunar month to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and is open daily to the public.
