On the afternoon of February 11, at Van Lake within the Special National Relic site of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, the opening ceremony of the Spring Calligraphy Festival 2026 officially took place, launching a series of cultural and artistic activities to welcome the new year.

The festival runs from February 11 to March 1, 2026, corresponding to the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake to the 13th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse.

It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Held annually at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, the event has become a cherished cultural tradition, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Vietnam’s scholarly heritage and enduring reverence for learning.

This year’s festival leaves a distinct mark with a comprehensive renewal of both spatial design and program content.

The Van Lake area has been upgraded and harmoniously rearranged, creating an elegant spring setting that balances tradition with a contemporary sensibility.

Functional zones are thoughtfully planned, including exhibition spaces, heritage experience areas, traditional craft village showcases, the calligraphy request area, and a cultural cuisine introduction space.

The highlight of the festival remains the opening-of-the-year calligraphy request ritual, taking place at 35 calligraphy tents.

The participating calligraphers were rigorously selected through an objective and transparent evaluation process.

This activity not only meets the public’s spiritual aspirations for luck, academic success and career advancement, but also honors the artistic value of traditional calligraphy.

In addition, the organizing committee has introduced a rich array of activities aimed at diverse audiences.

These include heritage education programs, a reading culture space, displays of traditional craft products, folk games, traditional chess, lion dances, and folk art performances such as quan ho, ca tru and cheo.

Activities are held across the Inner Courtyard, Giam Garden and Van Lake, creating a vibrant spring atmosphere steeped in cultural identity.

Within the Inner Courtyard, alongside the two permanent exhibitions The First National School and Igniting the Path of Learning, visitors can explore the exhibition Vestiges of Civilization 4 under the theme A Thousand Years of Learning at the Front Hall of Thai Hoc House.

Specialized displays such as Horses Return to the Streets and Stone Steles Recording Fame further affirm the historical and cultural depth of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam within the long continuum of Thang Long – Hanoi’s civilization.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, emphasized that the Spring Calligraphy Festival is not merely a space to appreciate calligraphy and request auspicious characters at the start of the year.

It also upholds the spirit of devotion to learning, respect for moral principles, and a collective orientation toward the values of truth, goodness and beauty.

Through the program, organizers hope to bring spiritual joy, harmony and a positive beginning to the new year for residents and visitors alike, while preserving the long-standing tradition of honoring teachers and valuing talent.

Tinh Le