Unique "mock King procession" ritual at Sai Temple Festival

"Hat canh” (singing at a host’s house) is considered as the most typical and unique form of Quan ho singing, a folk art in the northern province of Bac Ninh that combines various elements, including music, lyrics and costumes, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region, formerly called Kinh Bac. Singing at a host's house is organized in the house at night as a game between two groups of male and female singers through the match of lyrics and melodies. The antiphonal performance comprises several sections lasting from 7-8 p.m to 2-3 a.m. The duration of a section can be long or short, depending on the singers' repertoire of Quan ho songs. VNA Photo

The Dao ethnic group, with a population of nearly 900,000, consists of subgroups such as the Red Dao, Dao Tien, and Dao Thanh Y, each with its own unique cultural identity, clearly reflected in their traditional attire. The traditional clothing of the Dao Tien in Muong Lat district, Thanh Hoa province, is especially distinctive, offering a vivid glimpse into their cultural life. VNA Photo: Khánh Hòa

In the old days, Dong Ho paintings were used as decorations at every home in the northern delta during the Lunar New Year festival (Tet). Hanging a Dong Ho painting in the home at the beginning of a new year was believed to bring happiness and prosperity for the family. The folk paintings have become part of Vietnamese life through generations and are now used in the modern arts, including painting, sculpture, fashion and pottery. VNA Photo: Hoàng Hiếu

The capital city of Hanoi hosted some 1 million touristsduring the nine-day Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday which began on January 25,marking a 6% increase from the previous year, according to the municipalDepartment of Tourism. International arrivals showed particularly stronggrowth, with about 142,000 visitors, representing a 15.8% rise as compared to2024. The majority of them came from China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan(China), the US, the UK, Malaysia, India, Germany, France, and Japan. Domestictourism also saw healthy growth of 5%, with 859,000 tourist arrivals. VNAPhoto: Minh Quyết

In a vibrant display of cultural heritage, Hanoi’s relic sites of “Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long) have become the focal point of Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations, drawing both locals and foreigners seeking blessings for happiness and peace. “Thang Long tu tran”, comprising Bach Ma, Voi Phuc, Kim Lien, and Quan Thanh temples, have maintained their prestigious position in the cultural and historical tapestry of Hanoi. People flock to the ancient sanctuaries on the first days of the Lunar New Year to enjoy the long-standing traditions as well as embrace spiritual values that foster optimism for their journey ahead. VNA Photo: Minh Đức

Thousands gathered for the Khai ha (going down to the field) festival, the largest traditional one of the Muong ethnic people, in Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year. The festival spotlights the vibrant cultural traditions that have been integral to the ethnics’ new year celebrations. This year, it falls on February 5. The celebration honours deities and ancestors who established the Muong territories while seeking blessings for bumper crops and prosperity in the coming year. VNA Photo: Trọng Đạt

Students at the Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted had a meeting “Under the glorious flag of the Party” on February 3 to mark the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3). VNA Photo: Thanh Tùng

As of February 3, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake, all agencies and businesses across the country returned to work after the Tet holiday. VNA Photo

Locals in the northern province of Ha Nam joined the festival atmosphere nationwide by celebrating the Buffalo decorating contest within the annual Tich Dien (ploughing) festival on the fields of Doi Tin village, Tien Son commune of Duy Tien town, the northern province of Ha Nam on February 3 (the sixth day of the first lunar month). The contest attracted 20 artists from the region. VNA Photo: Trần Việt

Tet (Lunar New Year) is the most important traditional celebration in Vietnamese culture, a time for families to gather, reflect on the past year, and wish for the best in the new year. VNA Photo: Khánh Hòa