Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 spreads joy through simple things

THE HANOI TIMES — The Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is underway in pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi, spreading joy through life’s simple things.

“We are very happy and proud to be present at the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 and join the mass wedding ceremony of couples across the country. My wife eagerly woke up at 4AM to makeup. This is a beautiful memory to add to our 45-year-together album,” Vu Nguyen Dang, 68, from the northern province of Hung Yen, told The Hanoi Times.

He said they want to spread happiness in the community through simple and sincere moments. All activities at the event convey a message that happiness is always present, in the eyes, the smiles and every ordinary moment of the Vietnamese people.

The mass wedding ceremony for 80 couples, symbolizing the 80-year journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness of the nation, is one of the most prominent highlights of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025. Some of them are newlyweds starting a new chapter, while others have been together for 15, 30, 40 or even 50 years.

“The wedding is not only for young couples but an occasion to honor couples who have held hands for decades. The silver, golden and diamond loves of living together are beautiful proofs of attachment and understanding in love,” Dang stressed.

Le Hai Binh, Standing Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that Vietnam has made a strong mark this year by rising eight places from the previous year to rank 46th in the World Happiness Index.

“This is not just a number, it is evidence of the positive energy spreading from the lives of the people, from humanitarian policies and from the aspiration to build a fair, peaceful, prosperous and love-filled nation,” said Binh.

He added that the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is a stepping stone toward establishing an annual “Vietnam Happiness Day”, affirming that the country is a destination of humanity, peace and confidence in a better future.

“While every individual among Vietnam’s 100 million citizens has a unique sense of happiness, it is all tied to national pride. Ordinary, everyday images are the most human and powerful affirmation of a truly happy Vietnam,” the official emphasized.

The Happy Vietnam 2025 Award Ceremony, held on December 6 night, honored the most inspiring photo and video works about Vietnamese happiness.

“Happy Vietnam” is an award for media works on human rights, where beautiful moments about the country and its people are captured through the authentic perspectives of tens of thousands of contributors, both domestic and international.

"Since its first edition in 2023, nearly 40,000 works, including photos and videos, have been submitted, creating a national archive of a happy Vietnam told by its people, for its people," Truong Xuan Thang, one of the authors from the northern province of Bac Ninh, talked to The Hanoi Times.

The festival also offers a multilayered experiential journey, with activities stretching along the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, including the “Happy Vietnam” exhibition, a digital interactive space, the Happiness Lens, art photo booths, and various outdoor activities.

Notably, at the Ly Thai To Monument area, the Happiness Tree is expected to receive tens of thousands of wishes and greetings from the community, symbolically regarded as “seeds of happiness” spreading joy throughout the city.

This afternoon, the “Hundred Flowers Parade" is being held, featuring 800 participants in traditional attire who will walk through the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, setting a record for the largest parade of people wearing Vietnamese costumes.

Especially, the ‘Happy Vietnam' music gala tonight will conclude the three-day journey with music, lights and emotions. Through the voices of many young artists like singers Bui Cong Nam and Lam Bao Ngoc, the image of a dynamic, compassionate, youthful and optimistic Vietnam will be brought to life on stage in the heart of Hanoi. The music night will be free to the public at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

The Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is expected to attract between 200,000 and 300,000 attendees, aiming to establish it as an annual event with a profound humanistic message.