Happy Vietnam

During the Lunar New Year 2026, residents of Thanh Bong, a highland commune in Quang Ngai province, revived the traditional stream fishing ritual of the Co ethnic group on an unprecedented scale. Known locally as Hoi P’hiet Xol, the custom involves building a temporary dam across a stream to catch fish, symbolising the cleansing of past misfortunes and prayers for favourable weather, abundant harvests and a prosperous, harmonious year ahead.

Introducing the Visit Vietnam Year - Gia Lai 2026, Lich said the programme will feature 244 events, including 18 organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 109 hosted by Gia Lai, and 117 response activities in 22 provinces and cities.

Final preparations are underway in Tan Hiep island commune (Cu Lao Cham archipelago), Da Nang city, for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, as the locality stands ready for the nationwide election day with strong confidence in the country’s new development phase. Photo: VNA

Blending cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle technology with traditional artistic lantern installations, the programme transformed the land into a grand open-air stage of light.

On the morning of March 4, 2026, localities nationwide solemnly held military handover ceremonies, seeing off outstanding young citizens to perform their military service and contribute to national construction and defence. Photo: VNA

As a mountainous province with a long border line, rugged and fragmented terrain, and still-challenging living conditions for ethnic minorities like Lai Chau, the role of the Border Guard Force is both sacred and heavy with responsibility. They are not only soldiers safeguarding every inch of the Fatherland’s sacred territory, but also devoted “sons” who live, work and develop alongside local people at the country’s frontier. Photo: Viet Dung – VNA

Once a particularly disadvantaged mountainous commune where more than 70% of the population are ethnic minorities, Thu Cuc commune in Phu Tho province is now taking on a new look marked by growing prosperity and hope. By boldly restructuring crops and livestock, applying scientific and technical advances, and benefiting from timely poverty reduction policies and programmes of the Party and the State, many households have stabilized their livelihoods, accumulated savings and moved toward sustainable development. Photo: Ta Toan – VNA

On the morning of March 1, 2026, the early voting team of Naval Region 2 arrived at the Ba Ke cluster to organize early voting for voters aboard Hai An 68 vessel and DK1/9 offshore platform. Earlier, during the voyage to the Ba Ke cluster on February 27, the voting team organized early voting for voters on four vessels of Flotillas 128 and 129 of the Vietnam People’s Navy while performing duties in the Bach Ho oilfield area. On the afternoon of February 28, the early voting team operating at sea aboard Fisheries Surveillance Vessel 260 reported that from February 26 to 28, early voting had also been organized for voters on three vessels on duty and patrol at sea. Photo by courtesy/VNA

Sac Tu Khai Doan Pagoda is not only the largest pagoda in Dak Lak province but also a distinctive cultural and spiritual symbol of the Central Highlands. Its defining feature is the harmonious fusion of the Central Highlands’ rong house architecture and the style of Hue’s royal court architecture.

With a network covering all villages and residential quarters and more than 24,000 members, Community Digital Technology Teams and Project 06 in Da Nang city are affirming their role as a core force and an “extended arm” of digital transformation steering committees at all levels, helping bring digital skills and services closer to residents and contributing to comprehensive digital transformation from the grassroots. Photo: Khoa Chuong – VNA

Preparations for the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, scheduled for March 15, 2026, in mountainous communes of Nghe An province are entering the final stage, with coordinated efforts of the entire political system and strong public consensus. The province has established six election boards for National Assembly deputies, 20 boards for provincial People’s Council deputies, 1,039 commune-level election boards and 3,123 polling stations. In addition, 13 inter-sectoral inspection delegations at the provincial level have been set up to promptly guide and rectify preparations at the grassroots level. Photo: Bich Hue – VNA

The Central Commission for Information and Education held the National Conference of Central-Level Reporters – March 2026 in Hanoi on February 27, 2026. Photo: Phuong Hoa – VNA

In recent years, Cai Lay Regional General Hospital, located in Cai Lay Ward, Dong Thap Province, has gradually affirmed its role as a key regional healthcare facility, meeting the medical examination and treatment needs of local residents and those from neighboring areas. With a patient-centered approach, the hospital has continuously invested in infrastructure and medical equipment while improving the professional capacity of its medical staff, thereby contributing to better public healthcare services. Photo: Cong Tri – VNA

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Vietnam Doctors’ Day (February 27, 1955 – February 27, 2026), the National Lung Hospital announced major achievements in lung transplantation and advanced medical techniques, marking a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam’s respiratory medicine sector. In 2025, the hospital successfully performed eight lung transplants in accordance with the highest professional standards of the UCSF Medical Center (United States). These successes were achieved through close and coordinated cooperation among medical teams from the National Lung Hospital, E Hospital, the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, Military Central Hospital 108, Bach Mai Hospital, Ba Ria General Hospital, Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, People’s Hospital 115, along with leading domestic and international experts—making lung transplantation a routine procedure in Vietnam. Photo: Minh Quyet – VNA

Digital transformation is being strongly promoted in An Giang’s agricultural sector to improve productivity, quality and value of agricultural products. The province currently has more than 150,000 hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. Many modern production models, such as water-saving drip irrigation for mango trees and high-tech greenhouse melon cultivation, have proven effective, helping reduce input costs, adapt to climate change and move towards sustainable agricultural development. Photo: Thanh Sang - VNA

The Party Central Committee’s Secretariat held a nationwide conference in Hanoi on February 25 to study, disseminate and implement the Politburo’s Resolution No.79-NQ/TW on developing the state-owned economic sector and Resolution No.80-NQ/TW on developing Vietnamese culture. The conference is organised in person at the National Assembly's Dien Hong Hall and connected to 27,284 sites nationwide, attracting more than two million participants. Party General Secretary To Lam attended and delivered a keynote address. Under the programme, participants heard thematic presentations on the core contents of Resolution No.80-NQ/TW on cultural development, Resolution No.79-NQ/TW on the state-run economic sector, and the Government’s action programme to implement the two resolutions, delivered by Party and Government leaders. VNA Photo

Dong Nguyen ward in the northern province of Bac Ninh hosted the Dong Ky giant firecracker procession festival, drawing thousands of locals and visitors nationwide.

The latest annual survey by InterNations revealed strong satisfaction levels among expats in Vietnam, with 89% expressing contentment with the local cost of living and 87% reporting that their income supports a very comfortable lifestyle. It highlighted Vietnam's particularly competitive pricing across food, housing, transport and leisure activities.

On February 24, 2026 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse), the “Khai ha”(field-opening) Festival took place in Muong Bi commune, Phu Tho province. This is the largest traditional festival of the Muong ethnic group, representing an indispensable cultural and spiritual practice during the Lunar New Year. The festival prays for favorable weather, abundant harvests, prosperity of all living things, and a peaceful, prosperous life for local residents. The festival attracted thousands of local residents and visitors from inside and outside the province. Photo: Trong Dat – VNA

On February 23, 2026 (the 7th day of the Lunar New Year of the Horse), streets across Ho Chi Minh City were bustling with activity after the long Tet holiday. Offices and agencies held solemn New Year flag-raising ceremonies early in the morning, while hundreds of thousands of workers returned to factories in export processing zones and industrial parks, restarting production at the beginning of the year. Photo: Thanh Vu – VNA