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By 9 a.m., the lakeside is already brimming with students and young professionals. Most are dressed in vibrant ao dai, gracefully posing for Lunar New Year portraits.
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Some locations by the lake are considered “golden spots” for photos that frame both the lake and Hanoi’s architectural icons.
Many of them aim for prime angles that feature the iconic Turtle Tower in the background. While waiting for their turn, some take the time to touch up makeup or adjust outfits in preparation.
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From floral backdrops to wide-angle shots with Hanoi’s spring air, every frame tells a story of youth, tradition, and anticipation.
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"One square meter, ten muses" - even by midday, the lakeside remains packed with ao dai-clad groups, each with their own vision for the perfect Tet moment.
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Nguyen Trung Dung, a freelance photographer, shared that over the past week, he's been constantly booked for Tet photoshoots at Hoan Kiem.

“A session costs between 1 to 2 million VND (approximately $40–80), depending on the client’s request. If I work diligently, I can earn several hundred dollars this month alone,” he said.

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Some locations by the lake are considered “golden spots” for photos that frame both the lake and Hanoi’s architectural icons.

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From Hoan Kiem to decorated markets, the Tet photo ritual reflects both modern creativity and deep-rooted cultural pride.
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Groups of students often prepare matching outfits, props, and poses to create shared memories of Tet in Hanoi.

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Many young people are also visiting larger-than-life Tet-themed installations around the area, hoping to capture the spirit of 2026 in their photos.
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Phuong Nhi, a university freshman, came with a group of friends.
“We each spent about 1 million VND (40 USD) on ao dai, flowers, and the photographer,” she explained. “We're not from Hanoi, so having Tet photos here feels really meaningful. The cost wasn’t too much, and we’re happy with the experience. Though today, we had to wait a bit because our photographer was late.”
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The trend of ao dai photos at symbolic city sites has grown in popularity among young people celebrating Tet.

Thach Thao