Hanoi opens “Happy Tet 2026” at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi on February 6 launched “Happy Tet 2026 – Tet is Happiness” at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a flagship cultural and tourism event designed to promote the capital as a culturally rich, creative and welcoming destination by linking tourism development with heritage and traditional values.

Spanning more than 7,000 square meters and running through February 10, the festival transforms the UNESCO-listed citadel into a multi-zone cultural showcase introducing domestic and international visitors to Tet, Vietnam’s most important annual celebration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the program reflects the city’s long-term strategy of positioning cultural heritage as a key driver of sustainable tourism growth.

She noted that “Happy Tet 2026” is designed as a journey through traditional Tet customs in Hanoi and across Vietnam, recreating the atmosphere of family reunions, traditional markets, cuisine and folk arts.

Giang said the event helps strengthen Hanoi’s image as a safe, friendly and culturally distinctive destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Renowned historian Le Van Lan praised the initiative, noting its cultural and symbolic value. Quoting President Ho Chi Minh’s New Year poetry, he said each spring represents progress and renewal. “Happy Tet 2026 marks a transition from the past to the present and a step toward the future,” he told The Hanoi Times.

Launched in 2022, “Happy Tet” has become an annual platform for media outreach, cultural promotion and tourism development during the Lunar New Year.

Over successive editions, it has gained recognition among residents and visitors, establishing itself as a signature seasonal event in Hanoi’s tourism calendar.

This year’s edition places a stronger emphasis on recreating the traditional Tet atmosphere of Hanoi and Vietnam as a whole, introducing the capital’s cultural identity to international tourists and overseas Vietnamese returning home for the holiday.

Through a series of interactive and experiential activities, the event aims to foster appreciation for traditional culture, raise awareness among younger generations about heritage preservation, and support sustainable tourism development.

The opening night featured a curated artistic performance blending contemporary folk music with lyrical and modern elements, conveying themes of unity and optimism for the new year and drawing a warm response from audiences at the historic citadel.

The festival is organized into themed zones that guide visitors through Tet rituals, foods and customs traditionally observed in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, combining heritage storytelling with hands-on experiences.

A Spring Market zone recreates pre-holiday shopping with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, handicrafts and Tet gifts from traditional craft villages.

The Taste of Tet area highlights the role of food in the New Year, featuring live demonstrations of banh chung and other regional dishes prepared for family gatherings.

In the Spring Gathering area, Hanoi presents its key tourist destinations, heritage sites and traditional festivals, complemented by live demonstrations of centuries-old crafts including ceramics, lacquerware and rattan weaving.

Traditional entertainment is highlighted in the Folk Games and Community Activities zone, where visitors can join communal games that reflect the social spirit of Tet.

Reflecting Hanoi’s push to modernize cultural engagement, the Tet in the Digital Age zone introduces technology-driven experiences such as virtual reality tours, AI-powered storytelling, livestreaming and digital lucky money, offering contemporary interpretations of traditional practices.

Throughout the five-day program, visitors can take part in signature experiences including a traditional New Year kitchen, calligraphy rituals symbolizing good fortune, and workshops recreating a typical Tet home.

A gamified “Happy Tet 2026 Passport” encourages exploration across all zones, with rewards for participation. The festival also revives the Ceremony of Erecting the New Year’s Pole, an ancient ritual marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year, staged within the imperial citadel.

By presenting Tet as an immersive and curated experience, Hanoi positions itself as a year-round cultural destination and invites international visitors to experience the Lunar New Year as a living tradition at its source.

The program, jointly organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center and the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, runs until February 10 at the central area of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The opening ceremony was attended by Nguyen Van Phong, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, representatives from central ministries and city departments, ambassadors and embassy officials, the head of UNESCO in Vietnam and representatives of international organizations based in Hanoi.