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In the final days of 2025, Hanoi seems to have donned a vibrant new look, with the bright colors of spring and the festive atmosphere of Tet spreading throughout the streets and avenues, welcoming the new Gregorian year. For tourists, this is an opportunity to admire the beautiful ancient streets and deeply appreciate the unique cultural values of the capital city.
Hang Ma Street is ablaze with the vibrant red of Tet decorations in the final days of the year.
Hang Ma Street, a familiar street during Tet (Lunar New Year) with its vibrant red goods for decoration and shopping, has a noticeably changed appearance this year. Unlike previous years, goods are no longer scattered haphazardly on the sidewalks but are neatly arranged according to regulations. The street has been "rebranded" with a more open and airy space. As a result, tourists and locals can easily stroll, admire, and take souvenir photos without being hindered by the unsightly clutter of goods as before.
The stalls on Hang Ma Street are neatly arranged, and the sidewalks are more spacious than in previous years.
However, many residents living around the area said they both supported the restoration of urban order and felt nostalgic for the familiar features of the traditional Tet street. Ms. Le Thi Mai, a vendor of decorations on the street, shared: “Every year, the sidewalks were always packed with goods, not only selling but also creating a lively atmosphere of Tet. This year, that scene is gone; there are still many customers, but the atmosphere seems different than before.”
The festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is present on every street in Hanoi's Old Quarter as the new year approaches.
Throughout central streets like Hoan Kiem, Trang Tien, and Ly Thuong Kiet, the Tet atmosphere is clearly evident through sparkling lights, brightly decorated trees, and bustling flower shops. Areas around Hoan Kiem Lake are also decorated with artistic lighting to welcome the new year and greet tourists.
At the Hoan Kiem Lake area, the spacious surroundings and well-maintained landscape create favorable conditions for locals and tourists to stroll, explore, and capture the moments of the early spring. The fact that many people choose to wear the traditional ao dai dress when going out to celebrate the Lunar New Year contributes to a festive atmosphere rich in cultural identity and highlights the elegance and grace of the capital's center during the last days of the year.
Young people wearing traditional ao dai dresses stroll through the streets during the spring festival, capturing memorable moments of the new year in the heart of the capital city.
The area around Hoan Kiem Lake attracts many locals and tourists strolling around in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).
Meanwhile, Hang Trong Street offers a different atmosphere of Hanoi's Old Quarter in the days leading up to Tet. Not as bustling as Hang Ma Street, this street maintains a slower pace of life with its old houses and narrow streets, evoking the tranquil and refined character typical of the Old Quarter. Towards the end of the year, some shops on this street display Tet calendars and traditional handicrafts, attracting locals and tourists alike to purchase items rich in traditional cultural values.
Shops on Hang Trong Street sell Lunar New Year calendars and traditional handicrafts.
The daily rhythm of life in the Old Quarter continues steadily in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). The flow of people, the opening of service spaces, and the organization of cultural activities create a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. With less congested sidewalks, Hanoi's appearance before the New Year is more civilized, tidy, and rich in cultural identity.
