As the Lunar New Year festival approaches, cat statues honoring this year’s zodiac animal are popping up in public places across the country, adding to the liveliness of springtime in Vietnam.

Vietnamese people will formally celebrate the Tet festival on January 22.

The occasion is meant for family gatherings to enjoy traditional foods and exchange good luck wishes.

The golden cat figure in Thong Nhat Park, Dong Da District, Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

Floral decorations are an important part while adults typically give 'lucky money' in red envelopes to children to wish them health and outstanding academic results.

The fest will last around a week.

According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, around downtown Ho Chi Minh City, a large number of cat statues with adorable features and eye-catching hues have been constructed, symbolizing good fortune and reunion.

A golden cat carrying money and gold, meant to symbolize the desire for fortune in the coming year, is located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Workers on Nguyen Hue Flower Street in District 1 are rushing to complete all the cat mascots in order to welcome visitors.

Ngoc Anh, a resident of District 10 in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the colorful cat mascots and floral decorations have brought about significant changes in the downtown area. 

“These days, I frequently take a stroll in the city because the weather is pleasant. There are many flowers and ornamental miniatures throughout the city, which adds color to the landscape. I think that cat sculptures are adorable,” Anh shared.

Workers rush to complete a massive cat figure on Nguyen Hue Flower Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

In Hanoi, a large-sized golden cat placed at Thong Nhat Park in Dong Da District has attracted lots of residents to visit and take photos.

Additionally, provinces such Vietnam Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Bac Lieu, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen, among others, provide a variety of unique cat designs that will make the upcoming Tet celebration even more lively.

A ‘family’ of cat statues in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

These cat statues attract visitors to Bac Lieu Province. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

A couple of cat statues perform music at the Ong Dao Bridge Roundabout in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre

Lovely white cat statues in Hung Vuong Square, Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

These cat statues attract visitors to Bac Lieu Province. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

A ‘family’ of cat statues on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Bac Lieu Province, representing the desire of reunion and happiness in the coming year. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

Cute golden cat statues in Can Tho City, Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Photo: T.Luy / Tuoi Tre

Visitors tour the flower street in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Tran / Tuoi Tre

People take a photo with the entrance of the flower street in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Tran / Tuoi Tre

People take a photo with the entrance of the flower street in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Tran / Tuoi Tre

Lovely cat decorations in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Photo: Cao Minh / Tuoi Tre

Cat figures at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Dinh Hung / Tuoi Tre

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