No one left behind
The spirit of “welcoming Tet with no one left behind” continues to be affirmed as an enduring value. A standout initiative is the “Tet of Compassion – Spring 2026” campaign launched nationwide by the Viet Nam Red Cross Society.
The programme aims to support around 1.5 million Tet gift packages, each worth at least 500,000 VND (about 19 USD), for people with disabilities, the elderly without family support, orphans, those in particularly difficult circumstances, and residents affected by natural disasters.
According to the Viet Nam Red Cross Society, special priority this year is given to people impacted by storms and floods. The Society has also organised “zero-dong Tet markets” in many localities.
The programme “Spring Buses – Reunion Tet 2026” has been launched with the goal of providing more than 800 free coach tickets for workers and labourers in difficult circumstances to return home and reunite with their families. Le Thu Trang (32, a factory worker in Ho Chi Minh City) shared emotionally: “Work has been tough and my income has dropped, so I planned to stay in the city. Luckily, I received a free ticket and can go home to see my family. This gift means so much — it reflects everyone’s kindness towards us.”
The Party and the State continue the policy of presenting Tet gifts to people with meritorious service to the revolution, social welfare beneficiaries, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. In many localities, movements to provide Tet gifts for poor and near-poor households have been widely implemented, combined with social mobilisation and the participation of grassroots authorities.
Diverse ways of welcoming the New Year
The four-day public holiday has changed how people celebrate the New Year. Nguyen Huu Tung (30, an architect in Ha Noi) said his family decided to travel to Phu Tho Province for three days: “With a longer break, the two of us chose not to return to our hometown but to spend more time together. There’s no need to go far — just a change of atmosphere to begin the new year gently.”
Dao Phuong Hang from Travel Now said: “As soon as the official holiday schedule was announced, our tour bookings surged. Short domestic tours of three to four days, priced at around 5–10 million VND per person (around 190–380 USD), are very popular. Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Da Nang remain attractive destinations. Customers mainly want to relax and recharge to start the new year in a refreshed state of mind.”
Short international tours are also being chosen by many families. Thailand and China continue to attract interest, with cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Harbin, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. Nevertheless, many people choose to stay in their cities to enjoy the New Year atmosphere where they live.
In the capital Ha Noi, on the night of December 31, thousands flocked to the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone to attend the “Open real connections” countdown music festival organised by Heineken. The participation of world-famous DJ Alan Walker alongside many domestic artists turned the city centre into a vibrant open-air stage. Music, lights, and crowds blended together, creating an exhilarating atmosphere.
Fifteen minutes before the moment of transition, six fireworks displays at five locations across the city lit up the sky simultaneously. At Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, the F1 race circuit, Lac Long Quan flower garden, and Van Quan Lake, brilliant fireworks painted a radiant picture welcoming 2026.
This year marked the first time residents of the capital could enjoy pyrotechnic fireworks launched from three platforms set in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Nguyen Viet Hoai (50, Hoan Kiem Ward) could not hide his joy: “The atmosphere this year is truly wonderful. Everyone is smiling and full of excitement. I hope the new year brings smoother work and good health for my family.”
Other localities such as Quang Ninh, Nha Trang, and Da Nang were also lively with New Year countdown events. Particularly impressive was the fireworks display at the Sai Gon River tunnel area, featuring 1,260 high-altitude fireworks combined with 60 low-altitude racks and 10 pyrotechnic systems. Shopping centres, parks, and entertainment venues saw a rise in visitor numbers. For many families, strolling through the streets, watching a film, or enjoying light dining was enough to feel a rare sense of relaxation after a busy year.
People’s Artist Nguyen Xuan Bac, Director of the Performing Arts Department, shared that for major holidays and festivals such as the upcoming Tet, the performing arts sector will continue to innovate organisational approaches, improve programme quality, and expand performance spaces, aiming to deliver artistic products with cultural depth while linking with tourism and the creative economy.
A vibrant cultural landscape
In recent days, the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street has become a space where technology, art, and heritage intersect. The Hoan Kiem Lake — Turtle Tower Artistic Lighting Space ran continuously until January 4, 2026, alongside the digital exhibition “Radiant Ha Noi – Light and Heritage” at the exhibition centre at No. 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, attracting strong interest from residents and visitors.
“Early in the morning, Hoan Kiem Lake is peaceful and gentle; at midday it becomes lively with young people walking and taking photos. In the evening it feels like a colourful feast, then late at night it returns to tranquillity. Ha Noi has a very distinctive way of welcoming the New Year — both vibrant and contemplative,” said Le Thi Hoa, a visitor from Vung Tau.
The coastal city of Da Nang offers an open festival space called “Da Nang Boulevard — Welcoming New Year 2026”, designed in an open style with three themed zones: music, creativity, and dance. Together they create a continuous festive flow combining music, art, dance, and interactive community experiences, leaving visitors with unforgettable emotions. Alex, a tourist from the UK, said excitedly: “The atmosphere is fantastic, and the people are incredibly friendly. We eat, dance, and celebrate together like one family. This is my third time in Da Nang, but my first time here during the New Year, and I’m truly amazed by the atmosphere.”
Museums and historical sites have also seen a sharp rise in visitors, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site in Ho Chi Minh City with its night tour themed “Moonlight in the Resistance Base”, vividly recreating the lives of local residents and fighters in the liberated Cu Chi area.
The programme “Sacred Night” at Hoa Lo Prison Relic Site in Ha Noi was also sold out early. “Unyielding and resilient — that’s all I can say after visiting. Before coming here, I had read a lot in books and newspapers, but only by seeing it with my own eyes and crawling through the tunnels did I truly feel admiration. The Cu Chi Tunnels are truly extraordinary, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this place,” shared Sandeep Patil, a visitor from India.
According to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, culture is permeating every field and activity, becoming a spiritual foundation and a vital endogenous resource for national development. This also provides the basis for the cultural sector to further expand programmes, artistic events, and festivals throughout 2026, connecting regions and linking culture with tourism and the night-time economy.
From national-level programmes to specific activities in each locality, from brightly lit construction sites to vibrant cultural spaces, the picture of welcoming 2026 reflects the joint efforts of the entire political system, social organisations, businesses, and the public. The New Year 2026 is an important occasion to reaffirm enduring humanitarian values and the nation’s aspiration for development.
