Maintaining harmony between heritage preservation and tourism development
Recognising heritage as a crucial element for tourism development, Ha Noi has focused on exploiting this resource while ensuring harmony between preservation and development. Tourists visiting Ha Noi’s Old Quarter during Tet will have the opportunity to discover many interesting and unique activities.
As a spring destination in Ha Noi, the “Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet” programme in 2026 is expected to run from January 17 to March 17. The event aims to recreate, preserve, and spread traditional Tet cultural values within the special heritage space of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi’s Old Quarter.
This year’s programme closely links the historical sites in the Old Quarter with the space around Hoan Kiem Lake. Through this, the event celebrates the interplay between tangible cultural heritage and intangible cultural practices.
Organised in the context of the first year that Hoan Kiem ward operates under a two-tiered local government model, the “Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet” programme affirms the proactive and creative role of the local government in inheriting and promoting the value of cultural heritage, bringing heritage closer to community life and cultural activities.
A special feature of the 2026 “Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet” programme is that, for the first time, the historical site at No.22 Hang Buom Street has been chosen to recreate the Tet atmosphere and Tet market of the Northern Delta region. In addition, the Heritage House at No.87 Ma May Street, after being renovated, officially welcomes visitors back to experience the living space of a traditional Ha Noi family during the days leading up to Tet.
Furthermore, the traditional procession and the erection of the New Year’s pole will continue to be organised on a larger scale and with a new approach. The procession started from the O Quan Chuong area, passing through many old streets and the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake, with the participation of traditional cultural clubs, artisans, and the community.
Through this programme, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter Management Board affirmed its role as a core unit in the preservation and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, it aims to educate the younger generation about heritage, linking preservation with the development of tourism, trade, and creative economy, contributing to building Ha Noi’s image as a creative city in the region and the world.
Tourists look forward to a series of exciting experiences celebrating the Lunar New Year
Planning to stay in the capital for the Lunar New Year, Phan Thi Cam Tu, residing in Bach Mai ward, Ha Noi, said: “Every year, my family goes back to our hometown for Tet, but this year, we all agreed to stay in the city so that the children can experience a different atmosphere, a truly different Tet.”
“Following local destination information pages, I see that this Tet holiday in the Old Quarter will have many interesting activities. My husband and I will arrange time to take our children to experience making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese square rice cakes) and explore the Tet market with them,” shared Tu.
As for Nguyen Nhat Anh, residing in O Cho Dua Ward, Ha Noi, exploring Ha Noi during Tet is an experience not to be missed. “I look forward to this Year of the Horse Tet, the capital will organise many unique cultural and artistic activities for residents and tourists to participate in,” Nhat Anh added.
From now to March 17, visitors to the Cultural and Arts Centre at No.22 Hang Buom Street will have the opportunity to explore traditional Tet spaces and experience the 2026 Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet Spring Market. Here, handicrafts and traditional village products will be showcased to a wide range of visitors.
During the same period, the Heritage House at No.87 Ma May Street will recreate the living space and Tet celebrations of a traditional Ha Noi family, showcasing the art of carving and trimming narcissus flowers.
Adjacent to this, Kim Ngan Temple (No.42 Hang Bac Street) and the historical site at 40 Lan Ong Street will also be decorated and arranged in a traditional Tet atmosphere, offering activities such as traditional tea ceremonies and Tet celebrations.
At Dong Lac Temple (No.38 Hang Dao Street), visitors can admire a lacquerware exhibition themed “Year of the Horse with the Colours of Ha Noi Lacquer”. Moving on to the Ha Noi Old Quarter Heritage Information Centre (No.28 Hang Buom Street), visitors can also experience a traditional Tet atmosphere.
From January 22 to March 1, the Ho Guom Cultural Information Centre (No.2 Le Thai To Street) will display and introduce art works with the theme “Spring Colours of the Year of the Horse”. From January 23 to March 1, there will be an exhibition of traditional Tet atmosphere and an art exhibition “Greeting the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026” at the Ha Noi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre (No.50 Dao Duy Tu Street).
Music lovers can also visit the Ha Noi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre (No.50 Dao Duy Tu Street) on the evening of January 24. Here, a traditional music performance titled “Traditional Music of the City” will be presented by the Dong Kinh Ancient Music group.
On February 8, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter Management Board will coordinate with various organisations and individuals to reenact traditional Tet rituals, including the procession offering sacrifices at the temple gate and the flower procession announcing the good news of welcoming the Year of the Horse 2026.
On February 12 (the 25th day of the 12th lunar month), visitors can experience making banh chung (traditional rice cakes) at the Cultural and Arts Centre at No.22 Hang Buom Street. Moving to Hang Luoc Street, visitors can participate in the “Traditional Tet - New Year’s Traditions,” wearing traditional costumes to explore the Old Quarter and Hang Luoc Flower Market.
On the same day, at the Cultural and Arts Centre at No.22 Hang Buom Street, in the evening, there will be a programme introducing the art of Han Lap Nha Ca (a traditional Vietnamese folk singing style). Within the framework of the event, experts and cultural researchers will talk about the traditional Vietnamese Tet.
