Celebrating the success of the 14th National Party Congress and commemorating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (February 3, 1930 – February 3, 2026), on the evening of February 6, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site, the Ha Noi Department of Tourism, in coordination with the city’s Union of Friendship Organisations, officially opened the Happy Tet programme under the theme “Tet Is Happiness.”
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Ha Noi Department of Tourism Dang Huong Giang stated that Tet Nguyen Dan is a distinctive cultural heritage that embodies the fine traditional values of the Vietnamese nation. As a thousand-year-old capital of culture, Ha Noi has continuously made efforts to nurture, preserve and spread its traditional identity and values. The preservation and promotion of heritage values not only contribute to enriching spiritual life but also help shape distinctive tourism products. The Happy Tet 2026 programme is one of the hallmark activities that brings this orientation into reality.
The programme is designed as a journey to experience traditional Tet of Ha Noi and regions across the country, recreating spaces of family reunion, Tet customs, Tet markets, Tet cuisine, folk arts and cherished spring memories associated with generations of Vietnamese people.
Covering an area of more than 7,000 square metres, the Happy Tet 2026 space is elaborately designed and decorated, vividly recreating images of traditional Tet of Ha Noi and other regions, harmoniously combining cultural, experiential and tourism elements to create an attractive highlight for residents and visitors.
At the programme, visitors can experience many cultural spaces imbued with the colours of traditional Tet of the Capital and regions throughout the country.
The “Spring Market” space recreates the bustling atmosphere of Tet shopping with peach blossom, kumquat and apricot flower markets; Tet gift products; handicrafts; and traditional craft village products associated with tourism.
The “Flavours of Tet” space introduces the culture and cuisine of old Ha Noi Tet and regional Tet celebrations, from experiences of making traditional cakes, preparing Tet trays, seeking calligraphy at the start of the year, to tasting signature dishes from the northern mountainous region, the central region and the southern region.
The “Spring Convergence” space promotes Ha Noi tourism destinations, cultural heritage and traditional festivals, while also introducing and organising experiential activities for traditional crafts such as Bat Trang pottery, Ha Thai lacquerware, Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving, Thuy Ung horn comb making, and Xuan La toy figurines.
The “Folk Games and Community Activities” space features traditional games such as tug of war, swings, con throwing, human chess and toy figurine shaping, creating a joyful atmosphere rich in the colours of spring.
The “Tet in the Digital Technology Era” space applies new technologies such as livestreaming, digital check-ins, VR 360 virtual reality, and exploring Tet and Ha Noi through AI (artificial intelligence), contributing to refreshing approaches to heritage and enhancing interaction with visitors, especially young people.
Running until February 10, the programme features many attractive experiential activities.
The Department of Tourism also coordinates with the Thang Long – Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre to recreate the traditional ritual and custom of the New Year’s Pole Erecting Ceremony, helping to spread the values of Viet Nam’s cultural and historical heritage to the public right at the sacred space of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
