For Nguyen Thi Thang and her extended family, taking a group photo during Tet has long been a cherished ritual. She isn’t sure when the tradition began  -  only that the earliest photo still preserved dates back to the Lunar New Year of 2003.

The tradition has drawn widespread attention online in recent days after Thang, born in 2003 and originally from Binh Dinh Province but now living in Gia Lai, shared a series of family portraits spanning over two decades.

"A long-standing tradition in my family," she wrote. "I don't know exactly when it started, but the oldest family photo we have was taken before I was born. For the past 22 years, I've always been in the picture. Our family has only grown bigger with time."

In the earliest photos, family members of all ages are arranged in four or five rows, their faces glowing with the joy of spring. Over the years, the number of people, the photo angles, and even the positioning may have changed  -  but the vibrant, heartfelt energy remains the same.

Thang’s post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and touching comments from social media users who were moved by her family's enduring sense of unity.

"Having a big family isn’t rare, but having one that’s this close-knit and loving is truly special,” one person wrote. Another added, “I smiled at first, then found myself in tears. My family used to be like this  -  now it’s all a memory.”

In an interview with VietNamNet, Thang shared that she keeps the family photos carefully preserved. Recently, after watching a nostalgic video about Tet in the old days, she decided to post the photo collection as a way to spread a little of her family’s joy and togetherness.

“I never expected it to receive such a huge response,” she said.

The people in the photos are from Thang’s paternal side. Her grandfather, Nguyen Ngoc Sang, now 96 years old, has 12 children  -  eight sons and four daughters. Thang’s father is the seventh child.

Her grandmother passed away in 2006. Today, her grandfather lives with his youngest son’s family. His home remains the heart of the family  -  the place where everyone gathers for ancestral rites, reunions, and especially Tet.

“Each of my aunts and uncles has two to three children, and now many of them are married with kids of their own. Our extended family now has around 100 members, most of whom live in Quy Nhon,” Thang explained.

The earliest family photo was taken in 2003. By Tet 2004, Thang appeared in the photo for the first time as a baby  -  and she hasn’t missed a single one since.

Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole family reunites at their grandfather’s house. After lighting incense to honor their ancestors, they dive into a full day of joyful activities.

“There’s the New Year greeting, giving lucky money to Grandpa, then all the children line up to receive their red envelopes,” Thang recalled. “After that, we eat together, play games, and go from house to house for New Year visits. Our family is so big, it takes all day to get through it.”

Once the rituals are done, everyone gathers for the annual family portrait  -  an increasingly complex endeavor, given the number of children and the challenge of fitting everyone into the frame. But it’s a moment filled with laughter and warmth.

“These family photos mean the world to me,” Thang said. “They mark the arrival of new members, and they help us remember those who are aging  -  especially Grandpa, who has always been our pillar.”

Even outside of Tet, Thang’s family makes a point to come together for important occasions  -  birthdays, ancestral death anniversaries, weddings. With most of the family living in or near Quy Nhon, it’s not hard to gather. For those who live farther away, like Thang herself, the journey is always worth it.

“Those of us who work far from home never hesitate to come back for these occasions,” she said. “Because our roots matter.”

In one of the most recent photos, Thang appears on the far right, standing proudly with her parents, younger brother, and grandfather. The bond across generations is unmistakable.

“Our family’s strong connection comes from my grandfather’s guidance,” she said. “He always emphasized the importance of love, unity, and mutual support.”

“We, the younger generation, are deeply grateful. And we know it’s our responsibility now to carry on that spirit.”