Happy Vietnam

A preliminary review of preparations for the 14th National Party Congress was held under the chair of Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on January 13 morning. The Permanent member and other officials examined the main hall of the congress, slated for January 19–25, an exhibition of publications serving the event, a photo display themed “Under the Party’s flag, the nation advances to a new era”, functional rooms, the press centre, the command centre, and medical services, among others. Photo: Phuong Hoa – VNA

Bu Dang commune (Dong Nai province) is a mountainous, remote area with a large ethnic minority population, formed through the merger of Duc Phong township, Minh Hung commune and Doan Ket commune (former Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province). During the 2025–2030 period, the locality is promoting trade connectivity and developing urban areas, industry, services and high-tech agriculture in a rapid, comprehensive and sustainable manner. Photo: Nhat Binh – VNA

Pink mandarin is one of the signature fruit trees of Dong Thap province. In recent years, farmers have grown pink mandarins in pots for sale as decorative plants during the Lunar New Year. Gardeners in Phong Hoa commune are currently preparing about 1,200 pots of pink mandarins, priced from 1.5 to 5 million VND per pot, for the 2026 Lunar New Year market. Photo: Nhut An – VNA

These days, streets across Hanoi are festooned with flags, flowers, banners and slogans welcoming the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, creating a solemn yet festive atmosphere ahead of the event.

With rugged mountainous terrain and many hamlets located far from the commune center, residents of Bat Xat commune (Lao Cai province) face considerable difficulties in traveling to handle administrative procedures. Bat Xat has implemented the “Digital hamlet” model to help residents access public services more conveniently, reducing travel time and costs. This is a concrete step in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Photo: Huong Thu – VNA

Strong, disciplined and modern.

In the early days of 2026, at construction sites rebuilding houses for residents whose homes were completely destroyed by floods under the “Quang Trung Campaign,” officers and soldiers of Regiment 974 under the Khanh Hoa Provincial Military Command are working at full intensity. Each takes on a task—pushing wheelbarrows loaded with sand and cement, carrying water uphill—to ensure the handover of nine houses to residents in Nam Khanh Vinh commune (Khanh Hoa) by January 10, 2026. Photo: Phan Sau – VNA

A model applying integrated digital technologies in VietGAP-compliant safe vegetable and fruit production in Da Bac commune (Phu Tho province) has been implemented by the Sub-Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection since August 2025 on a safe vegetable production area of the Da Bac Agricultural Service and Food Supply Cooperative. Covering 1.5 hectares, the model includes 15 greenhouses and net houses combined with open-field cultivation, one outdoor IoT weather monitoring station, infrastructure development, and the installation of a smart irrigation system. The model reflects a proactive and companionable approach to agricultural digital transformation, aiming to build a sustainable and modern safe vegetable production zone. Photo: Thanh Hai – VNA

The “Friendly Government, serving the people” model has been bringing positive changes to communes and wards across Ninh Binh province. Administrative procedures have been streamlined and made more transparent, enabling timely resolution and better support for citizens and businesses. Photo: Thuy Dung – VNA

With just over one month to go until the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, garden owners in Vi Khe Ward – the “kumquat capital” of Ninh Binh province – are busy preparing supplies for the Tet market. Photo: Nguyen Lanh – VNA

At the headworks construction site of the downstream flood drainage enhancement project of Ke Go Reservoir (Ha Tinh province), work continues at a brisk pace during the New Year holiday. At the province’s largest hydraulic construction site, hundreds of workers and engineers, along with machinery and equipment, are operating continuously to ensure construction progress. Photo: Huu Quyet – VNA

The Hanoi Stock Exchange (under the Ministry of Finance) held a gong-beating ceremony to officially launch stock market trading for early 2026 in Hanoi on January 5, 2026. Photo: Le Dong - VNA

During festivals and traditional holidays in Lac Son Commune, the ancient Muong Vang region of Phu Tho Province, the Muong ethnic people continue to preserve rich and distinctive traditional cultural practices. Activities such as Muong gong performances at communal houses, folk games, and guidance on performing gong repertoires embody Muong cultural identity and serve the community’s social and spiritual life. Photo: Trong Dat – VNA

In the final days of the year, Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a range of coordinated policies to take care of workers during the 2026 Lunar New Year, helping stabilize livelihoods, strengthen confidence, and motivate workers to stay committed. Photo by courtesy/VNA

Vietnam’s tourism sector got off to a lively start during the New Year holiday, with many localities simultaneously welcoming their first visitors of the year, signalling strong growth prospects.

The centuries-old rice paper craft of Tho Ha village, Van Ha ward, Bac Ninh province, has been officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, honouring a traditional livelihood passed down through generations.

Amid the fast-paced life of Hanoi, there is a small, peaceful corner where the soft sound of needles against fabric blends with the laughters of disadvantaged children every day. Here, woollen threads are woven into vivid artworks – not only with colour, but with determination, love and faith in life.

Thirty four hot air balloons were featured at the Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival from December 31, 2025 to January 3, 2026 at Sa Dec Square. VNA Photo: Nhựt An

In the rocky highlands of Tuyen Quang province, Lung Tam village continues to preserve the traditional hemp-weaving craft of the Hmong people, turning simple fibres into textiles rich in cultural identity and heritage.

The provincial People’s Committee held a New Year flag-raising ceremony and welcomed the first tourists of the year to the land of “Blue Sea – Great Forests” at Dai Lanh Cape (Mui Dien) in Dak Lak province – known as the first place on Vietnam’s mainland to welcome the sunrise on the first day of the New Year 2026, January 1. Photo: Tuong Quan – VNA