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In East Asian culture, the image of the horse has always been associated with pride, perseverance, and symbolizes breakthroughs and success. In the early days of 2026, provinces and cities across the country officially unveiled horse mascots to welcome the spring, on an unprecedented scale and with unprecedented materials.
Quang Tri: The masterpiece "Eight Horses Chasing the Wind" and the majestic statue of Saint Giong.
Quang Tri continues to affirm its position as the "capital" of iconic mascots as artisan Dinh Van Tam – the man behind numerous "Mascot Queen" titles in previous years – officially launched the "Eight Horses Chasing the Wind" complex. In Lao Bao commune, the collection of eight horses, ranging in height from 2m to 3.5m, stretches across an area of 17m beside Tam Thuy Lake, creating a truly magnificent scene. The meticulously crafted works, created over five months with bright colors, express the powerful spirit of victory.
But that's not all; at the educational experience area in Con Tien commune, young sculptor Truong Tran Thien Tam has created a unique masterpiece with a giant statue of Saint Giong riding a horse. This 7-meter-tall, 10-ton structure is solidly crafted from artificial stone and reinforced concrete. The image of Phu Dong Thien Vuong wearing armor and holding a cluster of ivory bamboo in a majestic pose not only symbolizes protection and peace but also serves as a vivid historical lesson for visitors.
Da Nang: "Kim Ma 4.0"
In Da Nang, "Kim Ma 4.0," located in the landscaped area south of the Dragon Bridge, is one of the leading entries in the "race" for the 2026 Lunar New Year mascot. Designed in a modern style, the artwork draws inspiration from the image of a horse combined with technological elements, symbolizing the dynamic development, innovation, and digital transformation spirit of Da Nang. The large artwork, approximately 4.3 meters high and over 5 meters long, stands prominently in the park with its back facing the Dragon Bridge.
Ho Chi Minh City: The intersection of traditional bamboo weaving and AR technology.
The Nguyen Hue Flower Street for Tet Binh Ngo 2026 made a strong impression with its main mascot, "Nhat Ma Thong Dong," nearly 7 meters tall. A special feature is the use of environmentally friendly woven bamboo, which both honors national identity and expresses elegance and grace. In addition, the large-scale display of "Nine-Maned Red Horse," 6.4 meters tall, inspired by the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, was also a visual highlight.
The biggest breakthrough for Ho Chi Minh City is its pioneering application of technology. Besides the 11-meter-tall statue of Saint Giong with its flexible leg and neck joints, the flower street also uses mapping technology to project the epic directly onto the surface of the statue. Visitors can also use their phones to experience AR technology, seeing vivid images of a galloping horse right at the entrance gate, blurring the lines between art installations and virtual reality.
Thua Thien Hue: Elegant white horse on the top of Chuong Gio hill
In the ancient capital of Hue, the white horse mascot at Chuong Gio Hill in Binh Dien commune brings a pure and noble breeze. With an overall height of over 4 meters, this white horse is sculpted in a posture of galloping through the clouds, showcasing its muscular physique while maintaining the graceful elegance of the imperial architectural style. The image of the white horse combined with the green bamboo grove not only honors the heritage beauty of the ancient capital but also symbolizes a lucky and pure beginning in the new year of the Horse.
Bac Ninh: A humane message from the trio "Joy - Happiness - Love"
In Tan Son village, Hop Thinh commune, Bac Ninh province, artisan Bui Van Quan has created an emotional story with a trio of cement horse mascots, each over 4 meters tall. The most popular on social media is the "Happy Horse," with its eye-catching design, trendy sunglasses, and humorous expression, which young people are actively asking for to bring them good luck in their studies.
However, the core value lies in the "Merchant Horse" with its predominantly pink color. Anh Quân shared that he will donate 100% of the proceeds from the auction of this artwork to support the poor during Tet (Lunar New Year). This action has transformed the mascot from a decorative item into a bridge of compassion, spreading the spirit of "helping those in need" characteristic of the Vietnamese people during the Lunar New Year.
Dien Bien: Golden horse treading on clouds goes viral on social media.
Despite being their first time participating in the provincial mascot competition, the representative from Dien Bien quickly captured media attention with their golden horse statue treading on clouds at 7/5 Square. The artwork, created by Pham Duc Viet from a single block of foam and coated with heat-resistant paint, features soft, raised patterns, expressive eyes, and gold bars at its feet symbolizing prosperity. Highly praised for its aesthetics and majestic presence, this mascot has become a must-see photo spot in this historical region of Northwest Vietnam.
Dong Thap: Recycled horse mascot
Immediately upon its unveiling on February 9th, the image of the horse mascot with its slender body and elegantly curved eyelashes in Dong Thap province instantly became the focus of attention on social media. However, instead of receiving approval, the artwork faced much criticism from the public regarding its aesthetics and form.
In response to community feedback, representatives from the implementing unit stated that this is a handcrafted product made from recycled materials, created collaboratively by teachers and students in My Phu ward (Cao Laanh city). The artwork was created to participate in the local Spring Festival Miniature Landscape Competition and is displayed at the ward's cultural center to serve the needs of local residents celebrating the spring festival; it is not an official mascot representing Dong Thap province.
Quy Nhon: Breaking the mold with a humorous array of horse mascots.
Completely different from the majestic and imposing image often seen in traditional sculptures, the group of horse mascots in Quy Nhon City (Binh Dinh province) is becoming a phenomenon on social media platforms thanks to its unique design style. Inspired by the dynamism of a transforming coastal tourist city, this year's "warhorses" surprise everyone by appearing in humorous poses.
Shortly after their unveiling, images of this group of mascots attracted thousands of interactions and shares. Netizens expressed their delight at the fresh, entertaining aesthetic while maintaining sophistication in every detail. The combination of vibrant colors and creative setting not only creates a strong visual focal point for the square but also cleverly incorporates the local aspiration for progress and breakthroughs in the new era.
