THE HANOI TIMES — The Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is currently taking place on the pedestrian streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi, celebrating the joy found in life’s simplest moments.
Vu Nguyen Dang and his wife, Do Thi Yen, participate in a mass wedding ceremony for 80 couples at the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025. Photo: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
“We are thrilled and honored to be part of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 and join the mass wedding ceremony with couples from across the country. My wife was so excited that she woke up at 4 AM to get ready. This is a beautiful addition to our 45-year-long album of memories,” shared Vu Nguyen Dang, 68, from Hung Yen province, in an interview with The Hanoi Times.
He emphasized their desire to spread happiness within the community through simple, heartfelt moments. Every activity at the event conveys a powerful message: happiness is ever-present in the eyes, smiles, and everyday moments of the Vietnamese people.
The mass wedding ceremony, featuring 80 couples, symbolizes the nation’s 80-year journey of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness. Among them are newlyweds beginning their lives together, as well as couples who have shared 15, 30, 40, or even 50 years of marriage.
“This ceremony is not just for young couples; it’s a tribute to those who have stood by each other for decades. Silver, golden, and diamond anniversaries are beautiful testaments to the enduring bonds of love and understanding,” Dang remarked.
Le Hai Binh, Standing Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, highlighted Vietnam’s remarkable achievement this year, climbing eight places to rank 46th in the World Happiness Index.
“This ranking is more than just a number; it reflects the positive energy emanating from the lives of our people, our humanitarian policies, and our vision of building a fair, peaceful, prosperous, and loving nation,” Binh stated.
He further noted that the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 serves as a foundation for establishing an annual “Vietnam Happiness Day,” positioning the country as a symbol of humanity, peace, and hope for a brighter future.
Le Hai Binh, Standing Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, addresses the audience at the event. Photo: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
“While each of Vietnam’s 100 million citizens experiences happiness uniquely, it is all intertwined with national pride. Everyday, ordinary moments are the most authentic and powerful expressions of a truly happy Vietnam,” the official added.
The Happy Vietnam 2025 Award Ceremony, held on the evening of December 6, celebrated the most inspiring photo and video submissions capturing Vietnamese happiness.
“Happy Vietnam” is an award recognizing media works that highlight human rights, showcasing the beauty of the country and its people through the genuine perspectives of tens of thousands of contributors, both domestic and international.
“Since its inception in 2023, nearly 40,000 works, including photos and videos, have been submitted, creating a national archive of happiness as told by the Vietnamese people, for the Vietnamese people,” shared Truong Xuan Thang, an author from Bac Ninh province, in a conversation with The Hanoi Times.
Truong Xuan Thang, one of the winners of the Happy Vietnam 2025 Award, interacts with a foreign visitor near his displayed work at the festival’s exhibition. Photo: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
The festival offers a rich, immersive experience with activities along the streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. Highlights include the “Happy Vietnam” exhibition, a digital interactive space, the Happiness Lens, art photo booths, and various outdoor activities.
At the Ly Thai To Monument area, the Happiness Tree is expected to collect tens of thousands of wishes and greetings from the community, symbolically representing “seeds of happiness” that will spread joy throughout the city.
This afternoon, the “Hundred Flowers Parade” features 800 participants in traditional attire walking through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, setting a record for the largest parade of people in Vietnamese costumes.
Tonight, the ‘Happy Vietnam’ music gala will culminate the three-day festival with music, lights, and emotions. Through the performances of young artists like singers Bui Cong Nam and Lam Bao Ngoc, the image of a dynamic, compassionate, youthful, and optimistic Vietnam will come to life on stage in the heart of Hanoi. The music night is free to the public at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.
The Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 is anticipated to attract between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors, with the goal of becoming an annual event that carries a profound humanistic message.
80 couples participate in the “A Day for Us – Love is Happiness” wedding ceremony. Photos: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
Vietnam Airlines presents 160 domestic tickets to 80 couples whose love stories were awarded at the Happy Vietnam contest.
“Sharing Happiness” is a heartfelt call to support compatriots affected by natural disasters in the central region and Central Highlands.
Award-winning photos capturing moments of Vietnamese life are displayed at the “Happy Vietnam” exhibition, an open space beautifully illuminated in the evening.
A family enjoys the beautiful photos at the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025.
An instant photo booth themed “A Memory to Take Home is a Joy to Keep” attracts many visitors eager to capture their happy moments.
A foreign tourist is captivated by the photos displayed at the “Happy Vietnam” exhibition.
Many tourists show interest in the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 exhibition.
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