At the opening of the Tet Viet Festival 2026, held at the Youth Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City’s Sai Gon ward, six towering golden horses captivated visitors with their bold presence - particularly one sculpture that seemed to “fly” out of a golden apricot blossom.

The dramatic installation has quickly become one of the most talked-about photo spots this Lunar New Year, drawing locals and tourists alike.

Visitors Truc Linh and Dat Vinh shared that after seeing photos circulating online, they were compelled to visit the site in person. Witnessing the horse seemingly leaping from a giant apricot bloom left them both in awe.

Nguyen Hong Phu, Director of the Youth Cultural House, explained that this year marks the 19th edition of the Tet Viet Festival. After 18 years, organizers chose to highlight a large apricot blossom at the entrance, from which the golden horse emerges - a visual metaphor for speed, aspiration, and new beginnings. The concept is meant to inspire young people as they enter the Year of the Horse.

The installation titled “Radiant Today”, part of the “Vo ngua khai xuan” art exhibition, reflects a fresh, youthful spirit. Each of the six horse sculptures embodies a unique theme - strength, intelligence, speed, joy, inner power, and new beginnings. Designed for interaction, the artworks aim to spread positivity during the symbolic transition from old year to new.

Following the opening ceremony, the grounds of the Youth Cultural House filled with Tet cheer. Families and young visitors came to enjoy the early festivities, snap photos, and soak in the vibrant decorations.

Kim Xuan, a resident of Phuoc Kien ward, brought her whole family despite living quite far from the city center. She said she was drawn by the promise of dazzling decor and was impressed by how modern and creatively the space had been curated this year.

Dressed in a traditional áo dài, young visitor Ngoc Chau beamed as she posed beneath fluttering red flags and golden backdrops.

Beyond the modern installations, the festival also features a nostalgic corner named “Dep xua”, where visitors can stroll through the Street of Calligraphers, walk under canopies of yellow apricot flowers, explore traditional crafts, and pose beside golden haystacks - vivid recreations of Tet in the Southern countryside.

Organized by the Youth Cultural House of Ho Chi Minh City, the Tet Viet Festival for the Year of the Horse runs from February 1 to 21, 2026 (14th lunar December to the 5th day of the new year), at 4 Pham Ngoc Thach Street.

Tuan Hung