2025 Vietnamese Tet Festival Opens in Ho Chi Minh City
The 2025 Vietnamese Tet Festival officially kicked off at the Youth Culture House in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday afternoon, heralding the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, which begins later this month. This year marks the 19th edition of the festival, which has consistently attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Staying true to the core values of traditional Vietnamese Tet, the festival features a variety of cultural elements, including a calligraphy area, an apricot blossom street, and traditional craft villages. The calligraphy area showcases the talents of over 50 young calligraphers, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience this cherished art form firsthand. Calligraphy stalls are set up along Pham Ngoc Thach and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Streets, creating a vibrant atmosphere for attendees.
Nguyen Hong Phuc, the director of the Youth Culture House, announced that next year’s festival will expand the calligraphy offerings to include works of English calligraphy, further enhancing the cultural exchange aspect of the event.
The festival also highlights traditional craft villages, such as Lai Thieu Pottery Village from Binh Duong Province, Dinh Yen Mat Village from Dong Thap Province, and My An Basketry Village from An Giang Province. These villages provide picturesque settings for visitors to capture memorable photos and engage with the artisans behind these traditional crafts.
A stilt house with a distinctive red-tiled roof, emblematic of An Giang, is featured prominently at the festival, alongside beautiful flower pots from Sa Dec Flower Village in Dong Thap. Together, these elements contribute to a serene and traditional Tet ambiance, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the festive spirit.
The festival opening attracted numerous celebrities, including artist Tuyet Thu, beauty queen H’Hen Nie, and popular singers such as Quoc Dai, Ngoc Linh, Kyo York, Nam Cuong, and Ngoc Ha. Their presence added to the celebratory atmosphere and drew even more visitors to the event.
The 2025 Tet Festival will run until February 14 and is open to the public free of charge, making it an accessible celebration for all. This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant showcase of Vietnamese culture, tradition, and community spirit as the country prepares to welcome the Lunar New Year.
The 2025 Vietnamese Tet Festival in Ho Chi Minh City serves as a significant cultural event that not only celebrates the Lunar New Year but also reinforces the importance of traditional values and community engagement. With its diverse offerings and free admission, the festival is set to create lasting memories for visitors and foster a deeper appreciation for Vietnam's rich cultural heritage.