As Tet (Lunar New Year) 2026 draws near, a striking trio of giant horses has taken shape in Vung Tau, standing tall in a dramatic “galloping into the sea” formation. These vibrant mascots are the centerpiece of the city's upcoming spring flower festival.

Located at Bai Truoc Park in Vung Tau Ward (Ho Chi Minh City), the installation features three horse figures, each approximately 8 meters high and 10 meters long. Sculpted in dynamic poses, they appear to charge forward toward the ocean, embodying strength and momentum.

The horses are adorned in vivid colors - blue, red, and yellow - and stand out prominently against the park’s seaside backdrop. Surrounding them, workers are putting the final touches on landscape details and decorative scenes, aiming for timely completion before the festival opening.

Each sculpture is built on a steel frame and covered in composite resin. The base features stylized waves, evoking the spirit of the sea and Vung Tau’s identity as a coastal city.

The Vung Tau Spring Flower Festival 2026 is scheduled to open on the 28th day of the last lunar month of the Year of the Snake and run through the 15th day of the Year of the Horse. The horse cluster is set to be the festival’s most prominent and photogenic attraction.

Locals have already begun flocking to the park to witness the mascots’ emergence.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, a Vung Tau resident, shared her excitement: “I feel festive just watching them come together. Every afternoon, I stop by with friends to see the progress and look forward to visiting once it’s finished.”

Tran Minh Tuan, visiting from Tam Thang Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, remarked: “The display is impressively large and colorful. It fits the seaside setting well. If it’s completed in time for Tet, I’m sure it will be a major check-in spot.”

The flower festival space is divided into two main zones. The central area centers on the galloping horse motif, merged with oceanic themes to symbolize movement and aspiration for the new year. The rest of the space is decorated with tens of thousands of fresh flower pots, artistic lighting, and traditional lanterns, creating a vibrant photo opportunity for visitors.

According to the construction team, the three horses - each a different color - represent the diversity of resources and the convergence of strength. Their elevated, forward-reaching posture symbolizes continuous motion and the spirit of “ma dao thanh cong” (success comes with the arrival of horses).

Vung Tau ward officials said the festival is designed as a cultural community space that enhances the urban landscape while offering residents and tourists a place to celebrate, relax, and enjoy the spirit of spring.

Quang Hung