On the Lantern Festival (the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month) more than 15 years ago, the most “pure Hue native” friend I know, architect Nguyen Trong Huan, and I put on thin raincoats and walked together through the light, drifting drizzle to search for Hue’s culinary specialties. Having lived in this city for many years, Huan still longed for the flavors he once tasted.

After more than 10 days of activities, Hue Spring Festival of the year of the Horse 2026, themed “Identity and Integration” organized by the People’s Committee of Hue City, officially concluded on the afternoon of February 21 (the 5th day of the Lunar January) at Ly Tu Trong Park (Le Loi Street, Thuan Hoa Ward).

According to the information released by the Department of Tourism on February 22, during the 9-day Binh Ngo Lunar New Year holiday, the number of visitors to Hue increased sharply year-on-year. Especially, tourism revenue witnessed an increase of 350% compared to the previous year.

As Lunar New Year approaches, areas around universities grow increasingly quiet. Traffic thins out, while many eateries and photocopy shops close for the holiday. Boarding houses fall silent as most students head home by the 24th or 25th day of the lunar December; those who remain are mainly from distant hometowns, working part-time, or hoping to experience Tet in a new place.

From the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 17), the spring travel atmosphere in Hue has been vibrant and festive. Visitors from across Vietnam, along with international tourists, have chosen the former imperial capital as their holiday destination, creating a lively tourism scene on the very first day of the New Year.

On the evening of February 16 (the 29th day of the Lunar December), just before the sacred moment of Lunar New Year’s Eve welcoming the Binh Ngo Spring 2026, city leaders visited and extended New Year greetings to agencies, organizations, businesses, and personnel on duty.

On the afternoon of February 16th (the Tet Eve), Hue Central Hospital organized a Tet gift-giving program for inpatients on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

Thousands of flower pots, together with decorative miniatures featuring the horse mascot along the two banks of the Perfume River, have emerged as a focal point of the Binh Ngo Tet (Lunar New Year of the Horse) 2026. The urban space of Hue has thus preserved its ancient charm while creating a distinct touch of modern beauty.

As the final days of the lunar December slip away, street corners, parks, and public gathering spots in Hue are dressed in vivid blooms, heralding the arrival of Binh Ngo Spring. In the mild, lingering chill of the year’s end, the city takes on a new charm, bright yet gentle, warm in its own way.

According to the information announced on the afternoon of February 14 by the Department of Tourism, the number of hotel bookings for the 9-day Binh Ngo Lunar New Year holiday is projected to increase by 53% year-on-year.