Amid an increasingly fast-paced modern life where many values are easily replicated, Tet is more than a moment marking the turn of the year. It is also a time for people to rediscover original, authentic emotions—rooted in memory, customs, and the rhythms of family and community life.
Within the spring journey in Da Nang, “Old Tet Space in Hoi An – Binh Ngo Spring 2026” unfolds as a special point of connection, where visitors are invited to return to the essence of Vietnamese Tet through genuine, intimate, and culturally rich experiences.
The programme takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., over five consecutive days from 9 to 13 February 2026 (corresponding to the 22nd–26th days of the twelfth lunar month of the At Ty year), at the Hoi An Museum, 10B Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An Ancient Town. This time frame is considered the most beautiful moment to feel the approach of Tet—when the day has not quite ended and the evening lights are just being lit; when soft afternoon light rests on the mossy rooftops of the old town, and spring reveals itself through lanterns, flowers, fruit, and the gentle flow of people.
In this moment of transition, Tet spreads slowly yet deeply. Streets grow more vibrant, the aroma of traditional sweets drifts through the air, and laughter fills the space without haste. It is a time when hearts naturally open to personal wishes—for peace in the new year, for togetherness, for the chance to reconnect with Tet memories that once seemed distant. Within this rhythm, Old Tet Space in Hoi An becomes an ideal pause for visitors to return to the original spirit of Tet—through emotion, experience, and wholehearted presence at year’s end.
Tet – When space becomes a living memory
Old Tet Space in Hoi An is not conceived as a static exhibition. Instead, it is designed as a slice of life, where every detail carries the story of traditional Tet. From the very first steps inside, visitors can clearly sense the theme of touching cultural essence through carefully recreated spaces.
The Tet Neu tree—a sacred symbol of new beginnings and hopes for peace—is displayed with reverence, evoking folk beliefs deeply intertwined with Vietnamese life. Alongside it, the Tet living room, traditional kitchen, and the craft of old tailoring are vividly recreated, guiding visitors back to an atmosphere of family reunion, where Tet begins with the simplest things: a shared meal, a new outfit, and family stories.
This is not merely a place to look, but a space to feel Tet through sight, memory, and emotion—an approach that reflects Da Nang’s orientation toward “emotional tourism.”
Touching cultural essence through crafts and Tet customs
A key highlight of Old Tet Space in Hoi An is its experiential area, where visitors do not remain observers but actively participate—touching, creating, and forming memories of their own.
Here, visitors can try calligraphy and Tet couplets, make lanterns by hand, paint paper masks, or explore the art of wood carving—traditional crafts long associated with Hoi An’s cultural life. Each activity is more than an experience; it opens stories of craftsmanship, patience, and creative spirit embedded in Tet traditions.
The experiential space also extends to springtime handicrafts such as painting, making red envelopes, quilled-paper cards, and traditional tea preparation—where Tet appears gentle, refined, and deeply layered. Notably, activities like wrapping banh tet and banh chung, making banh thuan, banh in, and Tet preserves allow visitors to touch Tet through texture and taste, feeling more clearly the meanings of reunion and sharing.
Tet in daily life – Shopping, cuisine, and community exchange
Old Tet Space in Hoi An also vividly recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Tet market through shopping stalls. Booths showcasing local Tet products and OCOP items not only hold economic value, but also help visitors better understand local livelihoods and the close connection between culture, people, and regional produce.
Alongside this, the culinary space opens a familiar journey of flavours. From mi Quang, banh beo, and banh loc, to sweet potatoes, cassava, traditional tea, and fermented fruit drinks, each dish carries the story of rural Tet, village memories, and the unhurried rhythm of the year’s final days.
Folk games – The spiritual nourishment of Tet
In the flow of traditional Tet, beyond festive meals and flavours, there are also “spiritual dishes” that nurture joy and community bonding. At Old Tet Space in Hoi An, the sounds and rhythms of folk games form the soul of spring—where emotions are shared, memories awakened, and joy spreads naturally.
Visitors can join bai choi singing, clay pot smashing, o lang, and co ganh—simple games that nonetheless embody the deep spirit of village life. Amid chants, laughter, and the lively pulse of spring festivities, Tet is no longer an abstract idea, but a living experience—where people meet people, the present touches memory, and cultural heritage continues to be sustained through communal joy.
A Tet touchpoint for visitors on the journey “return to origin”
Taking place in the days leading up to Tet, in the heart of Hoi An’s heritage space, Old Tet Space in Hoi An – Binh Ngo Spring 2026 is not merely a cultural activity, but a meaningful springtime experience. It is especially suited for domestic and international visitors seeking authentic, original values at the start of the year.
Between dynamic, modern Da Nang and these days in Hoi An, the old town becomes a point of cultural connection—where Tet is felt through multiple senses, through direct participation, and through genuine emotions. A space slow enough to listen, close enough to touch, and deep enough to remain in every visitor’s memory.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
