As Tet draws near, the Happy Garden in Hop Thinh commune, Bac Ninh province is buzzing with excitement. Surrounded by the vibrancy of spring, Bui Van Quan and his team are busy applying final touches to towering horse statues - capturing the festive spirit and delighting locals.

Since 2023, Quan has made it his mission to create large-scale Tet mascots reflecting the zodiac animal of the year. For Tet 2026, he has designed a trio of horses: Joyful Horse, Happy Horse, and Compassionate Horse. Each sculpture conveys its own message, from celebration to empathy.

The first completed piece, Happy Horse, stands nearly 6 meters tall (including its base), weighs around 10 tons, and took more than three months of intensive work. Joyful Horse, painted in a vibrant red to symbolize luck and vitality, stands 3.8 meters tall and weighs six tons - it was completed in just one month.

The third piece, Compassionate Horse, is still under construction and is expected to reach over 5 meters in height with a weight of roughly five tons.

Quan shared that the creative journey for this year’s Tet mascots began as early as June 2025. From initial concept sketches to structure design, material selection, framework construction, sculpting, and finishing, the process spanned many months.

“Horses are majestic animals with strong presence,” Quan said. “So it’s important to capture that emotion in every detail. To me, each mascot is like a child. I nurture each one from start to finish, ensuring it expresses the right spirit - so that when people look at them, they feel joy and the essence of spring.”

Despite their grand scale, Quan says the biggest challenge isn’t the size - but the expression. “One misplaced detail and the horse could lose its distinctive character,” he noted.

Among the trio, Compassionate Horse holds the deepest community meaning. Once finished, it will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to disadvantaged families in four former communes of Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province: Xuan Cam, Hiep Hoa, Hop Thinh, and Hoang Van.

“I hope this horse becomes a symbol of sharing,” Quan said. “Even if the money isn’t much, if it can help someone have a warmer, more fulfilling Tet, that makes it meaningful.”

While each mascot has its own theme, Quan’s overarching goal is to infuse Tet with joyful energy and positive values. He hopes to display the works in public spaces where people can visit, take photos, and truly feel the spirit of the season.

“I don’t create these mascots just to satisfy a personal passion. I want the spaces they’re placed in to become community playgrounds - places that bring joy during Tet,” he explained.

During Tet 2025, Quan gained national attention for his Happy Snake mascot, which was exhibited locally and attracted thousands of visitors for photos and New Year sightseeing.

Reflecting on nearly three years of crafting Tet mascots, Quan said he was surprised by the public’s enthusiastic response.

“After the Happy Snake was unveiled, the daily foot traffic was overwhelming. That gave me more motivation to maintain the garden,” he said. “If what I create can bring a smile to someone’s face - or help a person in need have a decent Tet meal - that alone makes it all worthwhile.”

The Happy Garden was established in 2021 in Hop Thinh, Bac Ninh as a personal initiative by Quan. Besides Tet mascots, it also hosts numerous large-scale art installations created for major events - such as the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, and National Day (September 2), as well as fantasy-inspired sculptures influenced by global cinema.

Each year, the garden draws thousands of visitors who come to admire its unique artistic works.