Giant horse sculptures take shape for Ho Chi Minh City’s Nguyen Hue Flower Street 2026

The 2026 Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Horse in the 12-year zodiac cycle. It is due in mid-February.

Behind the polished spectacle that visitors will soon see downtown is hundreds of hours of continuous labor by skilled craftsmen led by artisan Dinh Van Tong, whose workshop in An Phu Dong Ward hums with activity as the project enters its final stretch ahead of Tet.

“The schedule is tight now,” Tong said, standing amid scaffolding and partially finished forms.

“In just a few days, the main sections will leave the workshop and be assembled on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.”

The central horse mascot, inspired by the legend of Thanh Giong, stretches about nine meters long and rises seven meters tall, mounted on a base more than 11 meters above ground.

About 70 percent of the work has been completed, Tong said, with the remainder expected to be finished within five days.

Creating a mascot for Nguyen Hue Flower Street, a signature Tet attraction organized by Saigontourist Group, is not just a matter of scale or engineering, Tong said, but also of emotional impact.

“It has to be accurate in form, but more importantly it has to feel alive,” he said.

“The goal is to make people stop, look longer, and feel something.”

That ambition is reflected in this year’s design.

Unlike previous years, the central horse is not a static structure but incorporates mechanical movement, a first for the main mascot, adding complexity and cost to the project.

“Movement is the most challenging and heavily invested element this year,” Tong said.

The sculpture is also fitted with a smart lighting system that can adjust colors throughout the day.

In daylight, the horse appears bold and bright, while at night shifting hues and illumination create a different visual experience, encouraging repeat visits.

Design work for the project began five to six months ago, Tong said, allowing time for detailed technical planning before construction began.

Once fabrication started, the technical solutions were clearly agreed upon between designers and builders, helping the team keep pace with the demanding schedule.

To meet the workload, Tong’s team has mobilized around 30 workers directly at the workshop, supported by more than 20 additional staff handling technical details, installation, and on-site operations.

According to Saigontourist Group, the construction of Nguyen Hue Flower Street begins on Wednesday and will wrap up on February 15, preparing the boulevard for its Tet opening under the theme 'Spring Convergence – Steady Steps Forward.'

This year marks the first time the flower street will offer distinct daytime and nighttime experiences.

During the day, the display emphasizes fresh colors and floral arrangements.

After dark, LED lighting and mapping technology transform the street into a more immersive visual festival, adding depth and atmosphere for evening visitors.

The flower street will officially open at 7:00 pm on February 15, and run for eight days, closing at 9:00 pm on February 22.

Major installations, including the entrance and exit gates, will remain on display until March 22 to allow residents and tourists more time to visit.