On February 20, 2026 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year),
Dong Nguyen ward in Bac Ninh province held the Dong Ky firecracker procession
festival, drawing thousands of residents and visitors who came to pray for
prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
The firecrackers are carried in procession along the village road. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
The ritual of “Do ong Dam” is performed. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
The Dong Ky festival attracts a large number of participants. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
At around 11 a.m., the firecrackers are brought back to the communal house for ceremonial rites. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
Young men of the village prepare to carry the “Ong Phao” (Mr. Firecracker). Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
The Dong Ky festival sees strong public participation. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
With comprehensive infrastructure and diverse tourism offerings, the eastern coastal area is emerging as a key growth driver for the southern metropolis’s tourism sector.
The concert served as a New Year greeting, conveying hopes and aspirations for a year of new achievements, with musical works praising the peaceful beauty of Vietnam, honouring the glorious Party and great President Ho Chi Minh, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of spring across the country.
A buffalo body-painting competition took place on February 22 (the sixth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) as part of the Doi Son ploughing festival 2026. The event was a distinctive activity that added an artistic highlight to the festival.
Once a distinctive form of traditional calligraphic folk art from Hue that fell into obscurity for more than a decade, Chuon Village scroll prints are now experiencing a strong revival thanks to the persistent efforts of young people determined to restore the heritage. Reviving this art form not only honours the nation’s long-standing historical and cultural values but also creates a special attraction for international visitors during the vibrant Lunar New Year season.
Implementing the Government’s project on “Strengthening
Vietnamese for preschool and primary students in ethnic minority areas,” Trung
Chai Preschool in Pa Tan commune, Lai Chau province, has applied various
creative and effective methods tailored to local cultural life. Children
regularly practise reading, speaking and writing, while taking part in folk
games and outdoor activities to enhance language acquisition and daily
communication skills, helping them confidently enter new learning environments.
Photo: Quy Trung – VNA
On February 19, 2026 (the third day of the Lunar New Year),
the cruise ship Seabourn Encore, operated by Tan Hong Travel Company, docked at
Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, carrying more than 1,000 people, including 580
tourists from the United Kingdom, France and the United States, along with
nearly 500 crew members. Photo: Tran Le Lam – VNA
On the afternoon of February 19, 2026 (the third day of the
Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo), crowds flocked to streets surrounding Hoan Kiem
Lake, creating a vibrant spring atmosphere in the cool and pleasant weather.
Numerous domestic and international visitors joined the festive spirit,
enjoying Hanoi’s distinctive cultural space in the early days of the year. Photo:
Hoang Hieu – VNA
A solemn incense-offering ceremony was recently held in the northern province of Phu Tho, in remembrance of Au Co, the legendary mother of the Vietnamese nation.
“Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long) are four ancient and sacred temples of the former imperial capital (now Hanoi). At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, visitors come to offer incense and pray for health, good fortune, and peace, while paying tribute to the deities who safeguarded the ancient citadel. By tradition, the pilgrimage follows an East–West–South–North order, beginning at Bach Ma Temple, then proceeding to Voi Phuc Temple, Kim Lien Temple, and finally Quan Thanh Temple.
Built during the Ly Dynasty (1009- 1225), Dong Ky communal house in Dong Nguyen ward, Bac Ninh province has withstood the test of time, wars, and several restoration efforts, while still preserving its traditional architectural features.
