Happy Vietnam

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

Vieng market, a spring festival deeply imbued with folk beliefs and culture of northern delta inhabitants, opens annually at midnight of the 7th till dawn of the 8th of the first lunar month. A large crowd of locals and tourists flocked to Vieng Market in Vu Ban commune, Ninh Binh district since the afternoon of February 23 (the seventh day of the first lunar month). Everyone went there to buy goods to pray for fortune and happiness. The market, typical to an agricultural countryside rich in natural specialties, is an open-air fair displaying a wide variety of goods, from local farm produce, especially speciality crops and ornamental plants, to sophisticated craft articles, ranging from daily utensils, bronze and steel tools, worship articles, antiques and imitation antiques, to jewellery and toys. Photo: Cong Luat – VNA

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. Photo: Nguyen Chinh – VNA

The Thuy Linh ball-wrestling festival in Hanoi is held annually in early spring, drawing large crowds of local residents and visitors. The event is a traditional cultural practice of the ancient capital, commemorating Linh Lang Dai Vuong and promoting the nation’s martial spirit, while helping preserve the distinctive cultural values of the capital.

Phu Tho province currently has 17,700 hectares growing grapefruits, accounting for over 11% of the total grapefruit growing area nationwide; of which, over 10,800 hectares are in the production stage with a yield of over 177,000 tons, accounting for nearly 20% of the national grapefruit production. Among these, the Tan Lac red pomelo variety, bearing a certified trademark, covers nearly 3,000 hectares. In 2022, the first lot of Tan Lac red-fresh grapefruits was exported to the United Kingdom, opening the doors to other international markets like Europe. Photo: Thanh Hai - VNA

Since early 2024, a special Han–Nom script class has been held in a small room at Truc Lam Temple (Truc Lam hamlet, Tho Tang commune, Phu Tho province), attracting more than 20 learners, mostly elderly people. Originating from a simple, tuition-free class under the village temple roof, the movement of learning Han–Nom characters in Tho Tang has helped raise awareness of preserving and safeguarding traditional cultural values within the community. Characters once thought distant are now revived through intergenerational dedication, serving as a bridge between the past and the present. Photo: Nguyen Thao – VNA

“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. Photo: Khanh Hoa – VNA

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

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.