In Pictures: Traditional Tet spreads across Ha Noi Old Quarter
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026, the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter, in coordination with organisations and individuals, organised a programme titled “Vietnamese Tet – Tet in Old Quarter”, aiming to recreate, preserve and spread the cultural values of the traditional Tet within the unique heritage spaces of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter.
Residents of Ha Noi Old Quarter experience the atmosphere of traditional Tet at Kim Ngan Communal House (Ha Noi).
Guided by the overarching vision of “returning traditional Tet to its rightful place as a living cultural space”, Vietnamese Tet – Tet in Old Quarter” 2026 was designed as a comprehensive series of activities. Here, residents and visitors not only come to visit and admire, but also directly participate, practise and experience the cultural depth of Vietnamese Tet through rituals, customs and traditional ways of life associated with heritage spaces such as communal houses, temples, ancient houses and craft streets.
The programme focuses on recreating the traditional Tet space of the Northern Delta, along with the practice and restoration of folk rituals.
This year’s traditional procession was organised on a larger scale with a new approach, taking the O Quan Chuong Gate as the starting point — a “heritage stage”. The programme also featured the Equestrian Club, with 15 mounted horses symbolising the traditional image of messengers heralding the arrival of Tet and spring. The opening ceremony of O Quan Chuong Gate and the flower procession ritual, announcing joyful news to welcome New Spring 2026, marked the start of the programme.
The announcement calling for the opening of O Quan Chuong Gate echoed through the air. The ceremonial procession passes through the gate at the heritage stage. The 'Con Di Danh Bong' folk dance from Trieu Khuc village is performed at the heritage stage. The programme created a lively connection between generations within the space of a traditional festival. Young people joyfully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of traditional Tet within the heritage setting.
The procession departed from O Quan Chuong Gate and moved along Hang Chieu, Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, Hang Dao streets, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian area (Le Thai To – Hang Khay – Dinh Tien Hoang – Dinh Liet – Hang Bac), before reaching Kim Ngan Communal House. The offerings consisted of traditional items typical of Ha Noi. Traditional melodies resonate along the streets of today’s Old Quarter. Children experience the culture of traditional Tet at the heritage space of Kim Ngan Communal House. The phrase “Ma Dao Thanh Cong” (wishing swift success) written in Chinese characters. Young people offer incense, praying for a smooth and prosperous new year.
A traditional ritual is solemnly held at Kim Ngan Communal House. The Cay Neu (Neu pole) erecting ceremony at Kim Ngan Communal House was chosen as a key highlight, reflecting the depth of belief and traditional Tet customs closely associated with the ancient communal house of the craft streets in Ha Noi Old Quarter.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026, the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter, in coordination with organisations and individuals, organised a programme titled “Vietnamese Tet – Tet in Old Quarter”, aiming to recreate, preserve and spread the cultural values of the traditional Tet within the unique heritage spaces of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ha Noi Old Quarter.
