As the 10th day of the first lunar month approaches, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinese community flocks to Phung Hung - Nguyen Trai intersection to buy prosperity cakes and ritual offerings, praying for a year of thriving business and abundant fortune.

For seven consecutive years, Nguyen Ngoc An has donned royal robes to reenact the sacred “king ploughing” ritual at the Tich dien Doi Son festival.

As Lunar New Year unfolds, Hmong communities in Van Chan and Phinh Ho gather on mist-covered peaks, keeping ancient games and vibrant traditions alive from the third to the seventh day of the first lunar month.

On the opening day of the Huong Pagoda festival - spring 2026 - streams of pilgrims poured in despite steady drizzle, filling every path leading up and down the mountain.

In the courtyard of Yen Chi communal house in Thanh Son commune, Ninh Binh, four centuries-old trees recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees are regarded as priceless treasures, protected by villagers from one generation to the next.

Held only once a year on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Cho Chuong market in Dong Son ward, Thanh Hoa province, attracts thousands of locals and visitors with its unique “tomato-throwing” custom.

Some worshippers wrote petitions requesting loans of up to VND27 billion (approximately US$1.1 million), accompanied by elaborate offerings.

From washing faces to carrying bottles home, visitors believe the ancient well grants wishes to those who pray with sincerity.

Overlooking the Tra Khuc River, the towering statue at Minh Duc Pagoda stands as one of the tallest Buddhist monuments in the world.

Thousands attended the Dong Ky firecracker procession in Bac Ninh during the Lunar New Year 2026 (Tet), honoring Saint Thien Cuong.

On the second day of Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026, crowds gather at the Temple of Literature to seek calligraphy and pray for academic success.

On February 18, the second day of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, thousands of residents flocked to Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in HCMC to watch an animal parade and stroll through its lush, shaded grounds.

Guarding the eastern side of ancient Thang Long, Bach Ma (White Horse) Temple carries a solemn, timeworn beauty and layers of cultural and historical stories intertwined with the capital city of Hanoi.

A journey from the first independent banknotes in 1946 to today’s polymer era reveals how Vietnam’s currency has mirrored its political history and economic transformation.

Beyond their dedication and the glory they bring home, these “golden couples” have also inspired fans with beautiful, uplifting images of love and companionship.

The capital’s ancient pagodas welcomed waves of worshippers on Tet’s first day, where tradition, faith and festive joy blended in the early spring air.

In the final days before Tet, visitors flock to On Lang Assembly Hall to seek blessings and carry out a long-standing Chinese-Vietnamese custom.

On the final night of the lunar year, streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City filled with people gathering for fireworks and the sacred moment of transition into the Year of the Horse 2026.

While security challenges persist, Vietnamese peacekeepers continue their medical mission and celebrate Lunar New Year (Tet) with resilience and pride.