A dazzling fireworks display lights up the sky over Hoa Binh city on the New Year's Eve.

A cultural performance celebrating the Party’s founding anniversary and the New Year at Hoa Binh Square.

A spectacular fireworks display in Hoa Binh city on the New Year’s Eve set the stage for vibrant celebrations, accompanied by cultural performances at Hoa Binh Square that honoured both the nation and the arrival of spring.

From city streets to remote mountain villages, the Tet atmosphere is everywhere. Roads and public spaces are adorned with national flags, banners, lanterns, and colorful decorations. Markets are bustling as shoppers stock up holiday essentials, especially local specialties like Cao Phong oranges, Dien Yen Thuy pomelos, Mai Chau dried bamboo shoots, glutinous rice, fermented pork, Lac Son free-range chickens, and traditional Muong dishes such as banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh ong (tube-shaped glutinous rice cake).

The festive mood was heightened by art performances and fireworks displays across districts and towns, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Nguyen Thi Ha, a resident of Dong Tien ward in Hoa Binh city, shared: "like many families, we start the new year by honoring our ancestors, visiting relatives, and making trips to temples and the Uncle Ho Monument in Hoa Binh Square.”

In Muong ethnic villages, Tet customs remain deeply rooted. Bui Van Tam, a resident of Giang Mo village in Binh Thanh commune, Cao Phong district, highlighted the "pig sharing" tradition, where families collectively slaughter pigs and share the meat as a symbol of community solidarity. Throughout the holiday, residents also perform ancestral rituals and take part in cultural activities such as singing and traditional dances.

This year, Giang Mo village welcomed many visitors eager to experience Muong people's Tet traditions, providing an opportunity to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Since early in the year, localities across Hoa Binh have hosted a variety of cultural and sports events to welcome spring and commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Folk games, ethnic sports competitions, and artistic performances attracted enthusiastic participation.

Notably, Lac Thuy district kicked off the spring festival season with the Chua Tien (Tien Pagoda) Festival on the fourth day of the first lunar month. Traditional festivals in Lac Son, Kim Boi, and Tan Lac districts also drew large crowds, while scenic destinations in Cao Phong, Kim Boi, Mai Chau, and the Hoa Binh reservoir welcomed thousands of visitors.

Despite the holiday rush, traffic remained well-organised. Bui Van Minh, a passenger bus driver on the Hoa Binh – Hanoi route, noted an increase in the number of travelers but said congestion was minimal. Public awareness of road safety has also improved.

Ensuring a safe and orderly holiday, Hoa Binh authorities ramped up security efforts. Police and traffic officers maintained order at crowded locations, festivals, and entertainment venues. Public campaigns on fire prevention, road safety, and crime prevention were widely promoted, reinforcing community awareness. Meanwhile, markets, supermarkets, and convenience stores maintained a steady supply of goods to meet consumer demand.

In the spirit of Tet, local authorities, businesses, and charitable organisations provided support to disadvantaged families, policy beneficiaries, and children in need. Tens of thousands of Tet gifts were distributed, ensuring that everyone could enjoy in the celebrations.

As the nine-day holiday comes to a close, Hoa Binh residents are returning to work and daily life with renewed energy. Farmers have begun spring rice cultivation, while workers in industrial zones and businesses have resumed operations with optimism. Local authorities are also accelerating economic and social development initiatives for 2025, setting the stage for a year of growth and progress.

The 2025 Lunar New Year in Hoa Binh was a time of warmth, safety, and joy, as families reunited and communities celebrated with solidarity and pride. With fresh aspirations, Hoa Binh province enters the new year with a commitment to sustainable development and deeper integration.