As the Tet holiday approaches in Vietnam, a unique blend of tradition, commerce, and self-care sweeps across communities from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the flower-laden hills of Buôn Hồ in the Đắk Lắk Province. The anticipation of a new lunar year brings with it not only hopes for prosperity and happiness, but also a surge in activities that reflect both the country’s deep-rooted customs and its modern aspirations.
For many, the days leading up to Tet are an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy vibrant festivals, and travel. Yet, there’s another dimension that has taken center stage in recent years: the pursuit of beauty and well-being. According to Báo Người Lao Động, the demand for cosmetic treatments and skincare services skyrockets as the holiday nears. Clinics and dermatology centers across Ho Chi Minh City have reported a marked increase in clients seeking everything from basic facials to more advanced aesthetic procedures. The desire to look one’s best for family gatherings and the traditional exchange of Tet greetings is, as one observer put it, “completely understandable—everyone wants to feel radiant and confident stepping into the new year.”
However, this beauty boom is not without its risks. Hospitals have also witnessed a rise in patients requiring medical attention due to complications from aesthetic interventions. These range from minor irritations to more serious side effects, underscoring the importance of safe practices and informed decision-making in the pursuit of beauty.
Recognizing the need for public education on this issue, Báo Người Lao Động is hosting a live talkshow titled "Làm đẹp đón Tết" (Beauty for Tet) at 3:00 PM on January 27, 2026, at its headquarters on Võ Văn Tần Street, Ho Chi Minh City. The event will feature a panel of experts: Dr. Phạm Thanh Giang from the Dermatology Department of Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, Dr. Trần Thị Kim Chi from the Nutrition and Metabolism Department of Gia Định People’s Hospital, and Dr. Nguyễn Phan Tú Dung, Medical Director of JW Korea Hospital. The program will be broadcast live on nld.com.vn and streamed across the newspaper’s social media platforms, offering viewers a chance to interact directly with the specialists. The aim? To dispel myths, answer pressing questions, and provide practical guidance for those seeking to enhance their appearance safely during the festive season.
While urban centers focus on beauty clinics and wellness, rural communities are immersed in preparations of a different, yet equally colorful, kind. In Buôn Hồ Ward, Đắk Lắk Province, the local government is gearing up for the annual Buôn Hồ flower market, a highlight of the Spring Bính Ngọ 2026 celebrations. According to PLO, more than 1,000 peach blossom trees are being meticulously watered and nurtured in anticipation of Tet. These blossoms, with their delicate pink petals, are a cherished symbol of renewal and good fortune in Vietnamese culture.
Despite challenges such as rising costs for materials and labor, as well as natural disasters affecting other regions, Buôn Hồ’s growers remain optimistic. The area’s favorable climate has ensured that the peach trees are budding as planned, promising a vibrant display for the upcoming market. “This year, many areas were hit by natural disasters, but Buôn Hồ’s climate has been quite mild, allowing the peach blossoms to develop well, just as we hoped,” said Nguyễn Văn Thắng, Director of the Buôn Hồ Peach Blossom Cooperative. He added that although production costs have increased, growers are confident of a successful season thanks to the high quality and uniformity of the blooms.
Economic prospects for the region’s flower growers look promising. With supply expected to be somewhat limited, prices for peach blossoms are projected to rise by 20-30% compared to last year. “Currently, transactions are still few, so it’s hard to say for sure. However, we predict that the price of peach blossoms this year will increase by about 20-30% compared to 2025,” Thắng told PLO.
The tradition of cultivating peach blossoms in Buôn Hồ has its roots in a story of adaptation and ingenuity. Years ago, long-haul truck drivers brought saplings from Nhật Tân village in Hanoi—a place renowned for its exquisite peach blossoms—to Đắk Lắk. The trees thrived in the region’s basalt-rich soil, and as their success became evident, more locals ventured to Hanoi to learn the art of peach cultivation, eventually establishing their own thriving orchards. Today, fifteen households in Buôn Hồ collectively manage over 14 hectares of peach trees, reaping annual profits estimated at 400 to 500 million VND per hectare. The formation of the Buôn Hồ Peach Blossom Cooperative has further strengthened the community, providing members with resources, training, and a unified marketing strategy.
Innovation continues to drive the industry forward. In recent years, growers have started experimenting with a new variety known as ‘đào huyền’ or long branch peach. This type of blossom features a cascading trunk and branches that drape elegantly over the edge of the pot, symbolizing resilience and perseverance. Cultivating ‘đào huyền’ is no easy feat—it requires at least two years of careful nurturing and advanced horticultural skills. The result, however, is a tree with remarkable aesthetic and economic value. “Each ‘đào huyền’ tree over two years old fetches about 2 million VND or more, nearly double the price of traditional varieties,” explained Vũ Quang Thành, owner of the Đức Hùng peach garden. “The care involved is complex, but the results speak for themselves.”
The rise of ‘đào huyền’ in Buôn Hồ is partly the result of a partnership between local authorities and their counterparts in Tây Hồ District, Hanoi. This collaboration has enabled growers to access superior saplings, cutting-edge techniques, and targeted training sessions, ensuring that the region’s flowers meet the evolving tastes of consumers. As Thắng put it, “The ‘đào huyền’ variety is trending and is being grown very successfully in Buôn Hồ, promising a fruitful season for everyone here.”
Both the pursuit of beauty in the city and the nurturing of blossoms in the countryside reflect the same underlying desire: to greet the new year with optimism, pride, and a sense of renewal. Whether through a radiant complexion or a perfectly shaped peach branch, the Vietnamese people are preparing to step into Tet 2026 with hope and determination, blending the old with the new in ways that are uniquely their own.