The Binh Ngo Tet 2026 book, comprising five sections, was curated by writer Ho Anh Thai and jointly published by Dong A Culture Joint Stock Company and Dan Tri Publishing House. *Photo: Dong A Books*

The Literature section features established writers such as Nguyen Thi Thu Hue with "Returning to Old Days" and Ho Anh Thai with "The Business Card Collector". The Poetry section includes works by Cao Xuan Son, Quynh Hoa, Pham Thi Ngoc Lien, Pham Anh Xuan, and Duong Huy.

In the Music section, the spring atmosphere is evoked through familiar songs like "Gentle Spring Hues" by Nguyen Nam and "Going Home" by Hua Kim Tuyen and Xuan Ty. Additionally, there are music reviews by Nguyen Thi Minh Chau. The Art section introduces artist Nguyen Thanh Binh, born in the Year of the Horse, through an article by Nguyen Le Chi.

"When Swallows Shuttle: Vietnamese People, History, and Culture" was curated by journalist Nguyen Hanh, compiling articles published in Xua va Nay magazine in 2025. *Photo: Omega Plus*

The book revolves around three main parts: People, History, and Culture. In the People section, readers revisit figures like Ta Quan Le Van Duyet, Truc Duong Pham Phu Thu, Nguyen Hue, and Phan Chau Trinh through documents and analyses. The History chapter delves into academic dialogues with a critical spirit.

The final section, Culture, invites readers to explore the nation's cultural layers through topics such as Doan Ngo (Mid-year) Festival customs, Nguyen Dynasty court mirror paintings, literature and religious propagation via Nom script in the 17th century, and various ceramic traditions. The book affirms culture's role as a key factor in maintaining community continuity and stability through many changes.

"New Year's Eve Fireworks" by Minh Quyen, illustrated by Thu Nam, was published by Hanoi Publishing House. *Photo: Dinh Ti Books*

This publication is a collection of seven short stories, recalling the atmosphere of welcoming the new year with family, and memories of Tet past and present: "Listening to Mother's Stories of Tet Past", "Spring on Binh Dong Wharf", "The Road Home", "Grandma's Banh Tet", "New Year's Eve Fireworks", "The Strange Lucky Money Envelope", and "What Does Tet Smell Like?".

"New Year's Eve Fireworks" features an accessible, friendly writing style and colorful illustrations, making it suitable for young readers. Through the book, children learn stories about Tet from their parents' generation, understand differences in New Year customs across regions, absorb good traditional values, and learn to share and love.

"Savoring Tet - Binh Ngo" will be released on 18/1, a collection of 21 poems, stories, songs, and artworks on the theme of spring and Tet by many authors, depicting the spring atmosphere across the country. Additionally, the publication includes a comic book section with content designed to attract young readers. *Photo: Kim Dong*

"Savoring Tet" has been published by Kim Dong Publishing House every New Year since 2020. For the Binh Ngo Tet edition, the publisher offers readers a complimentary 3D wooden horse assembly model as a wish for "Ma dao thanh cong" (May horses bring success).

Quynh Huong's "Spring Calls the Sun-Kissed Sky" tells the story of a girl returning home from a garden of aged coriander, carrying a bundle for her mother to prepare for the traditional coriander leaf bath on New Year's Eve. On her way, she meets Little Snail, a young friend who has never understood why Tet requires returning home to family. The girl explains the meaning of Tet, its familiar customs, and the moments of reunion with loved ones during the New Year.

The book features a clear writing style and vivid illustrations, immersing readers in the familiar Tet atmosphere, complete with the fragrance of coriander and images of families awaiting the return of loved ones. Suitable for all ages, the work helps children understand Tet's beauty and reminds adults of the value of "to go away to return".

"Loving Horse Tet" was released in Quarter I this year, licensed by Vietnam Women's Publishing House and published by Canh Cam Books. The book was written by a group of literature teachers from the Language and EQ Club, based on their experiences with children. *Photo: Publisher provided*

The work recounts the adventure of Whirlwind, a wild horse, as he journeys from free forests and becomes lost in the Mekong Delta's countryside, a place of people and close-knit villages. The book has a gentle, image-rich, and emotional narrative pace, opening up familiar Tet scenes such as glowing hearths, pots of braised pork with eggs, banh tet, the scent of banana leaves, and kitchen smoke, where readers can find a part of their childhood.

Beyond depicting daily Tet life, the publication explores Whirlwind's emotional transformation. From a horse afraid of confinement and only knowing how to race, the character learns to slow down, observe, and listen to everything around him.

Poet Lu Mai recreates Tet on the islands through "Tet in Truong Sa, My Homeland". The book is published by Thao Nguyen Culture and Media Co., Ltd. and Carobooks. *Photo: Author provided*

The central character of this poetry collection is Hat Dua, a six-year-old girl born and raised in Truong Sa (Spratly Islands). Through her innocent, clear voice, the work takes readers to Tet in this remote island region, with images of peach blossoms, New Year's poles, ships bringing Tet gifts from the mainland, and New Year's feast trays by the shore. The work also highlights camaraderie, family, and faith in the homeland.

Phuong Linh