Amid the hustle and bustle of the year’s final days, there is one word that always makes every Vietnamese heart resonate: Tết. For Gen Z, Tết is not only the longest holiday of the year, but also a “precious pause” — a moment to return to our roots and realize that no matter how the world changes, the core values of our culture remain deeply alive.
Beginning a new journey with the “fire” of Bính Ngọ
Entering 2026 — the Year of Bính Ngọ — the image of the Fire Horse symbolizes freedom, dynamism, and a strong desire to break through. According to the lunar calendar, Tết this year will begin on February 17, 2026 (the first day of the Lunar New Year).
Interestingly, the 2026 Tết holiday (expected to last 9 days) will begin right on Valentine’s Day, February 14. This meaningful coincidence feels like a gentle reminder that the new year is not only about career hopes, but also about love and connection. In this spirit, understanding and embracing the beauty of traditional Tết is a way for young people to enrich their souls before stepping into the new year’s journeys — the year of the “Horse.”
Tết Fair 2026: Exploring culture, embracing the spirit of Vietnamese Tết
The student communities of Saigon Business School (SBS), Keiser University, and Viet My College came together to successfully host Tết Fair 2026 — a vibrant event filled with the breath of spring. The program featured a series of lively activities such as sports, singing, and a creative five-fruit tray decorating contest. The booths were not only colorful and festive, but also spread the spirit of sharing, connection, and togetherness.
Learning the Art of Arranging the Five-Fruit Tray
Through the five-fruit tray decorating contest, students — especially international students — not only learn how to arrange fruits, but also explore the deeper symbolism of Vietnamese Tết culture. The five-fruit tray represents wishes for prosperity, fortune, longevity, health, and peace, expressing respect for ancestors and hopes for a full and peaceful new year.
Each region of Vietnam expresses these wishes in its own way:
- The North often features a green banana cluster supporting other fruits, symbolizing protection and togetherness, combined with pomelo, peach, persimmon, and mandarin to wish for prosperity, fortune, and longevity.
- The Central region is simple and flexible, not overly focused on form, reflecting sincerity and heartfelt respect as the core values.
- The South stands out with the set “Cầu – Sung – Dừa – Đủ – Xoài” (Custard apple – Fig – Coconut – Papaya – Mango), conveying wishes for a prosperous, abundant, and fulfilling new year.
From familiar fruits, the five-fruit tray becomes a “cultural language” — where tradition, belief, and the Vietnamese people’s aspirations are delicately and meaningfully expressed.
The “Sweet Fruits” of a Journey of Effort
In the dignified atmosphere of the event, SBS reserved special moments to honor and present certificates of merit to individuals who achieved outstanding academic results in the past semester. These awards are not merely recognition of grades or numbers, but powerful proof of the perseverance of these “racehorses” who bravely overcame challenges on the academic track. They are invaluable spiritual gifts, fueling motivation for students to step confidently into an even more breakthrough Year of Bính Ngọ.
Tết Begins with Us
As the series of Tết Fair activities comes to a close, what lingers most deeply is the sense of connection. We realize that Tết does not only exist in bright yellow apricot blossoms or luxurious shopping malls. Tết truly begins when we open our hearts to share, to understand, and to create priceless memories together with friends, teachers, and family.
On the threshold of the new Year of Bính Ngọ 2026, may the energy of Tết Fair empower our upcoming plans. Wishing our student community a new year as radiant as spring, as resilient as a galloping horse, and always filled with love!
