A Festive Tet Atmosphere at HUFLIT: Where National Tradition Meets the “Rising Up” Spirit of a New Generation of Students

Inspired by the legend of Thanh Giong – a symbol of will, strength and national spirit – three tableaux under the unifying theme “Spring Rising Up” became a striking highlight, drawing large numbers of students to visit, take photographs and interact in the days before Tet.

Spring of Wishes – When hope begins with the simplest things

Opening the journey is the “Spring of Wishes” tableau, recreating the moment an elderly mother comes upon a sacred footprint in the fields – the origin of Thanh Giong’s birth.

That image is conveyed through a model of the footprint-marked boulder, set amid a space brimming with the colours of spring, evoking the harmony between heaven, earth and the human heart at the turn of the new year.

Beside the tableau is an area where students write their wishes, plans and dreams for the year ahead. Brightly coloured strips of paper, each carrying its own story, created an emotional “garden of wishes” right in the middle of the Agora.

Thu Trang, a student of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, shared: “I like the Spring of Wishes area best because it feels so gentle and meaningful. Writing my wish by hand helped me look back on the past year and think more seriously about what I want in the new one.”

More than an attractive check-in corner, this space is also a quiet pause amid the busy rhythm of study, a place where each student can listen to their own hopes and begin the new year with positive belief.

Spring of Abundance and Affection – The colours of sharing and connection

Continuing the folk narrative is the “Spring of Abundance and Affection” tableau, inspired by the villagers who pooled their rice to help Giong grow quickly and fight the invaders to save the country.

This is a deeply humane facet of the legend and, at the same time, a reflection of community values – an enduring beauty of Vietnamese culture whenever Tet arrives.

The space is decorated with striking large-scale models of chung cakes, tet cakes and the five-fruit tray, vividly recreating the abundance and togetherness of the spring days.

The harmonious combination of traditional colours and an open layout has turned this area into a lively stopping point where students can easily capture joyful moments with friends and teachers.

“When I wandered around and took Tet photographs at the University, the Spring of Abundance tableau with its chung and tet cakes gave me a real feeling of “home”. That space reminded me of the days when the whole family gathered to prepare for Tet, making cakes and chatting away.” – said Ngoc Linh, a student of the Faculty of Business Administration.

Beyond its eye-catching visual effect, the tableau also carries a message about connection in a university setting – a place where each individual is nurtured and supported by the collective, learning, maturing and rising together towards good values.

Spring Rising Up – A symbol of the aspiration to break through

Closing the journey is the “Spring Rising Up” tableau, recreating the image of Thanh Giong riding his iron horse into battle – the moment the young hero rises to become a warrior defending his homeland. The Thanh Giong figure is designed at a striking height with bold lines and vivid colours, creating an impressive focal point within the warm spring setting.

It quickly became the most popular photo spot on campus. Many students chose to pose striding forward, arms outstretched or fists raised high as a symbol of their determination in the new year.

Gia Bao, a first-year English Language student, shared: “Experiencing the vivid setting of the Tet tableaux at HUFLIT, I clearly felt a powerful symbol of the will to strive and the resolve to rise towards the future while still preserving our national identity. I believe that is also the fine image of HUFLIT students today – a generation that can inspire the cohorts who follow. I find this message truly inspiring.”

In a modern educational context, the figure of Thanh Giong is conveyed as an accessible message: every student carries within them the potential for powerful growth if they dare to believe in themselves and keep striving to overcome challenges.

Tet at HUFLIT – A cultural space of inspiration and connection

This year’s series of spring tableaux not only beautified the campus but also created a culturally meaningful space within the university environment. Here, students came away not only with vivid spring photographs but also with a touch of traditional storytelling, a sense of community values and positive inspiration for the road ahead.

Spring photographs shared on social media, handwritten New Year wishes, laughter ringing across the campus – all of these helped create a memorable spring in the student life of HUFLITers.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, the meeting of traditional Tet and the “Spring Rising Up” spirit has left a distinctive mark, reflecting the University’s commitment to holistic education: not only imparting knowledge but also nurturing the spirit, deepening cultural identity and awakening the aspiration to rise in every student.

Spring at HUFLIT is therefore not only the turning of the seasons, but also the starting point for new dreams, new resolve and a powerful journey of rising up for this generation of students in the academic year ahead.