Folk wisdom says, “Looking up and looking down at Tet”. To look up is to recognise progress and find motivation to strive higher; to look down is to see the difficulties that remain and strengthen the resolve to overcome them. It is a clear-eyed and humane perspective, especially meaningful as the country enters a new era following the 14th National Party Congress.

Looking up, one can see bright tones and the vibrant, abundant atmosphere of Tet in many places. In urban centres, economic hubs, and industrial zones, goods are plentiful, services are expanding, and the material life of many people continues to improve. Numerous families welcome Tet with greater initiative and ease, viewing it as a time to rest, renew their energy, and enjoy the fruits of a year’s hard work.

These bright colours reflect the achievements of persistent socio-economic development, the result of sound renewal policies, decisive governance, and the efforts of the entire population. Looking up, it can be seen that the country is advancing, social confidence is strengthening, and aspirations for development are becoming ever clearer.

Looking down, however, there are still modest and frugal Tet celebrations. In remote and mountainous areas, along borders and on islands; in rented workers’ quarters and among informal labourers, Tet arrives with careful calculations and thrift. Some cannot return home; some families simply hope for a warm and joyful Tet for their children. Such images remind us that there remain gaps in social security that must continue to be addressed.

In the broader picture of the Lunar New Year, the Tet Festival of soldiers stands out as quiet yet steadfast. While families gather to welcome spring, at border outposts and frontline islands, soldiers remain firmly at their posts, maintaining strict duty and combat readiness. For them, Tet Festival is reflected in banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) in the barracks, year-end meals imbued with comradeship, and silent New Year’s Eve shifts carried out with a deep sense of responsibility. From that spirit, the Viet Nam People’s Army helps safeguard the nation’s peace, implementing the strategic mindset of “protecting the Fatherland early and from afar,” ensuring no passivity or surprise. This also concretises the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress: firmly safeguarding the Fatherland and maintaining a peaceful, stable environment for rapid and sustainable development. Thanks to that vigilance, the people’s spring remains whole, and confidence in the future continues to be strengthened.

What deserves appreciation is that, in all circumstances, the spirit of sharing during Tet is preserved. Compassionate journeys, spring gifts for the poor, policy-beneficiary families, and soldiers stationed at borders and islands have warmed the festive atmosphere, spreading humane values and the national traditions of gratitude and solidarity.

The Lunar New Year of the Horse holds special significance as it marks the beginning of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, which clearly sets out the goal of rapid and sustainable development, placing people at the centre and linking economic growth with social progress and equity. These orientations are fostering a new social mindset: cautious but not pessimistic, hopeful but not complacent.

“Looking up at Te” is to see the nation’s aspiration to rise. “Looking down at Tet” is to remind each person to live with greater compassion and responsibility toward the community. As the moment of Lunar New Year’s Eve arrives, Tet Festival opens not only a new year but also renewed confidence in a clearly defined path of development, so that the vitality of spring truly spreads throughout society and every walk of life.