From main avenues lined with national flags and traditional bamboo poles to flower markets and car wash shops operating at full capacity, the province is immersed in a festive atmosphere marking the close of the old year and the arrival of the new.
In Quy Nhon Ward, the “National Flag Street” initiative led by the local Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and mass organizations has transformed several roads into vibrant corridors of red and yellow. Rows of flags hang in precise alignment, forming a striking display against the year-end sky.
Nguyễn Thị Vi Vi, Secretary of the ward’s Youth Union, said the project aims not only to beautify the area but also to foster unity and civic pride. “When the street is ablaze with the colors of the flag, everyone becomes more conscious of keeping the area clean, welcoming a civilized and beautiful Tet,” she said.
On Nhon Chau Island Commune, decorative miniatures and mascots add to the celebratory mood. Local resident Nguyen Thi Hon said the commune appears brighter than ever this year. “Everywhere you look, you feel the Tet atmosphere. My family has just finished tidying up the house and shopping for the new year. Everyone is busy, but we’re all excited,” she said.
The festive spirit is equally evident on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in Pleiku Ward, where residents have independently contributed to hang hundreds of national flags. Nguyen Canh Toan, a local resident, said the collective effort strengthens neighborhood bonds. “Seeing the whole street glowing red with flags, you can really feel that Tet is near,” he said.
Along National Highway 25, through Chu A Thai, Phu Thien and Ia Hiao communes, traditional bamboo poles, or cây nêu, stand in front yards and along village roads. Decorated with flags, lanterns, tinsel and colorful LED lights, they illuminate the night alongside streetlights.
Nguyen Xuan Huyen of Chu A Thai Commune said the custom has been enthusiastically revived in recent years. “It’s not just for decoration—it helps preserve our traditional beauty,” he said, noting that LED lights have added vibrancy to the displays.
For the family of Nong Thi Thuy Kieu in Phu Thien Commune, erecting a bamboo pole is an indispensable ritual. “The Tay people believe the bamboo pole wards off bad luck and welcomes peace,” she said, adding that her family carefully ensures safety when installing decorative lights.
Markets are also growing increasingly crowded. At the flower market on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and the mascot display area at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Quy Nhon Ward, visitors gather to shop and take photographs. Vendors adjust their displays as customers select flower pots to adorn their homes.
Trinh Minh The, owner of a Phalaenopsis orchid garden in Quy Nhon Ward, said timing is crucial. “Beautiful flowers must bloom at the right time for Tet. Whether I sell many or few, I always tend to them with care, hoping to bring customers a bit of luck and peace for the new year,” he said.
Inside homes, preparations are equally thorough. Ngo Xuan Ni of Quy Nhon Ward spent the day repainting his gate and cleaning his yard. “Preparing thoroughly for the new year is my way of wishing for everything in the family to go smoothly,” he said.
Service businesses are also experiencing a surge in demand. In the city center, motorbike washes start at 50,000 VND (about 2 USD) per vehicle, while car washes range from nearly 100,000 to 200,000 VND (about 4–8 USD). Shop owners say prices have risen to nearly triple the usual rate as they strive to retain staff amid the year-end rush.
Huynh Ngoc Quang, owner of a car wash in Quy Nhon Ward, said the days leading up to Tet are the busiest of the year. “Everyone wants their vehicle to be clean and neat for the new year,” he said.
As the final hours of the old year approach, Gia Lai’s residents are racing to complete unfinished tasks. The year’s end is more than a date on the calendar; it is a moment charged with urgency and warmth, as families and communities prepare for a hopeful new beginning.
