Warm incense-offering ceremony in Dong Nai PPC campus in memory of Uncle Ho on first day of Tet

On February 17 (the first day of the Lunar New Year (Tet) of the Horse 2026), amid the joyful atmosphere at the start of the new year, thousands of residents flocked to the President Ho Chi Minh Temple located within the campus of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee (PPC) to offer incense and visit the site. This day marked the highest number of visitors recorded since the PPC officially opened its gates to the public from the 28th day of the last lunar month of the Year of the Snake.

Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the PPC and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council Ton Ngoc Hanh meets residents visiting the PPC campus after offering incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Huy Anh

Many residents shared that although they had known in advance about the free public access to the PPC headquarters, the busy year-end schedule had prevented them from visiting it earlier. Therefore, the first day of Tet became the occasion for the whole family to fulfill their long-held wish. Among the solemn stream of people entering the President Ho Chi Minh Temple were individuals from all walks of life, including officials, civil servants, retired revolutionary veterans and ordinary workers.

A delegation of officials and civil servants from the Department of Home Affairs, led by Member of the PPC and the Department’s Director Nguyen Huu Dinh, offers incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh on the morning of the first day of Tet 2026. Photo: Cong Nghia

Notably, many multi-generational families, comprising grandparents, parents and children, were present. Students also chose the site as the first destination in their spring outings, expressing gratitude to the nation’s revered leader.

In addition to the President Ho Chi Minh Temple, visitors were deeply moved and pleasantly surprised to have the opportunity to pay respects at the bronze statue altar of General Vo Nguyen Giap – the elder brother of the Vietnam People’s Army – as well as the altar dedicated to Heroic Martyr Vo Thi Sau, a symbol of courage and steadfastness of Vietnam’s younger generation.

For many first-time visitors to the PPC headquarters, what left a strong impression was not only the landscape but also the warm reception.

Nguyen Thi Kim Anh (residing in Tan Trieu ward), who had just finished offering incense with her child and was strolling through the apricot blossom garden, shared: “I had imagined that entering a state office would feel somewhat solemn and strict, but in reality it was very friendly. From the police officer on duty at the guard post to those guiding parking arrangements, everyone was welcoming and attentive. It felt like coming home.”

Former member of the Standing Committee of the PPC and former Head of the PPC’s Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Commission Pham Xuan Ha arrives early to offer incense at the President Ho Chi Minh Temple. Photo: Cong Nghia

Sharing the same excitement, Dao Van Luong, a resident in Tran Bien ward, expressed his emotion at being able, for the first time, to meet the PPC’s leaders at such close range. On the morning of the first day of Tet, provincial leaders were present in person, inquiring about residents’ health and extending Tet greetings, thereby creating a beautiful image of close ties between the authorities and the people.

Beyond being a “red address” for historical remembrance, the PPC campus also turned into a vibrant “spring garden,” featuring dozens of ancient yellow apricot trees, a distinctive symbol of Southern Tet. As a result, it became an ideal check-in spot for families to capture meaningful photos on the first day of the new year.

According to Member of the PPC and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Ngoc Loan, visitor numbers are expected to continue rising in the coming days. “Tet is a time when people set aside work to spend time with their families. Therefore, we will coordinate closely with relevant units to ensure attentive services and maintain security and order, so that every resident visiting to offer incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh and tour the PPC headquarters will feel a sense of warmth and pride,” she said.

Residents solemnly offer incense at the President Ho Chi Minh Temple on the first day of Tet 2026. Photo: Cong Nghia

Among those paying tribute were young people who always carry in their hearts deep respect and gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Huy Anh

On the morning of the first day of Tet 2026, a delegation representing Dong Nai’s teenagers and children visit to offer incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh and extend Tet greetings to PPC’s leaders. Photo: Cong Nghia

Residents take commemorative photos in front of the President Ho Chi Minh Temple within the PPC campus. Photo: Huy Anh

One of the most interesting check-in spots within the PPC campus is the apricot blossom garden in full bloom. Photo: Cong Nghia

A family enthusiastically takes photos beneath a blooming yellow apricot tree inside the PPC campus. Photo: Cong Nghia

The family of a civil servant from the PPC Office also chooses the President Ho Chi Minh Temple and the campus as their first destination of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. Photo: Cong Nghia

Residents respectfully take photos beside the words “Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee” in front of the radiant apricot blossom garden to mark their first visits here. Photo: Cong Nghia

By Cong Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha