Top 6 Most Captivating Lunar New Year Shows of 2023 on VTV and HTV

Gala Cười 2023, a must-watch show on VTV for the Lunar New Year, offers a selection of comedic sketches that reflect everyday life through humor. The show brings together a talented cast from both the North and South of Vietnam, delivering fresh and entertaining performances in celebration of Tết Quý Mão.

The Northern cast includes Vân Dung, NSƯT Quang Thắng, and popular young comedians like Trung Ruồi, Duy Nam, Dũng Hớn, and Anh Đức. From the South, the show features the comedic duo Lâm Vỹ Dạ and Hứa Minh Đạt, along with Xuân Nghị, Lê Trang, and Hạnh Thảo.

Vân Dung and Quang Thắng will once again play the roles of a married couple, promising plenty of laughs with their charmingly absurd situations. Their partnership on stage extends to the small screen as well, where they’ve previously starred together in the show '11 Tháng 5 Ngày.'

The younger cast members bring their own unique humor to the show. Trung Ruồi, for example, stars in a comedic sketch involving a thief’s first robbery attempt at a gold shop. He accidentally encounters an employee who is obsessed with acting, causing a hilarious misunderstanding as the employee mistakes Trung Ruồi for an actor playing the thief. The sketch builds as confusion mounts, with Trung Ruồi’s character experiencing a whirlwind of emotions from shock to anger, and even joy and tears as his robbery plan unravels.

Don’t miss out on watching Gala Cười 2023, airing on VTV during the Lunar New Year celebrations!

The 12 Zodiac Signs is a beloved annual Tết program on VTV, marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year. The show blends interviews with live performances, inviting renowned celebrities whose ages correspond to the 12 zodiac animals of the Chinese horoscope. The show airs on the evening of the first day of Tết (from 2012 to 2016) and the third day of Tết (from 2017 onwards) on VTV3, Vietnam’s national television channel.

Each year, the program features 12 notable figures from various fields such as culture, sports, and business, each representing one of the 12 zodiac signs. The host engages in discussions with the guests, exploring the traits of the zodiac signs. During these conversations, guests also reflect on their achievements from the past year and share their plans for the coming year. In addition to insightful talks, the guests present captivating performances that infuse the program with the festive spirit of Tết.

Meet the TV Actors is an annual show that airs during the Lunar New Year on VTV3, produced by the Vietnam Television Film Center (VFC). For Tết Quý Mão 2023, viewers can once again enjoy a lively program filled with laughter, featuring actors discussing their most memorable roles from 2022 and giving a sneak peek at their upcoming projects for 2023.

Throughout the past year, VFC has delivered a variety of engaging series spanning genres such as drama, crime, family, youth, political, romance, rural life, and legal matters. Each series has captivated audiences with intriguing storylines and compelling characters. The success of these shows owes much to the stellar performances of the actors, from seasoned veterans to the rising Gen Z stars. Many actors left a lasting impression in 2022, including NSND Trung Anh, NSƯT Thanh Quý, NSND Lan Hương, NSND Minh Hòa, Nguyệt Hằng, Vĩnh Xương, Thanh Sơn, Doãn Quốc Đam, Lan Phương, Hồng Diễm, Việt Anh, Hà Việt Dũng, Thu Quỳnh, Quốc Huy, Nhan Phúc Vinh, Huyền Lizzie, Trọng Lân, Việt Hoa, Bình An, Quỳnh Kool, Lương Quỳnh, Ngọc Huyền, Hoàng Huyền, and many more. They will all return to meet the audience in the 2023 edition of Meet the TV Actors.

Throughout the program, actors will share insights into their unforgettable roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and exciting updates on two upcoming projects for the new year. Viewers will also enjoy a fun segment where actors switch roles and participate in a thrilling movie guessing game. To top it all off, the actors will showcase their singing talents, performing heartfelt songs that will surely resonate with the audience.

For the past 20 years, since its debut in 2003, The Kitchen Gods (Gặp nhau cuối năm) has become an unmissable New Year’s tradition for millions of Vietnamese TV viewers, marking the end of the old year and the arrival of the new. Based on the legendary story of the Kitchen Gods, the show uses humor and sharp wit to highlight the year's most pressing social issues, providing both entertainment and meaningful reflection for the audience.

The 2023 edition of The Kitchen Gods continues the tradition with beloved performers who have been part of the show for nearly two decades, such as NSƯT Quốc Khánh, NSND Công Lý, NSƯT Xuân Bắc, NSND Tự Long, NSƯ Chí Trung, NSƯT Quang Thắng, and NS Vân Dung. Known for its constant innovation and surprise elements, the show promises fresh content even in its 20th year. This time, instead of the traditional celestial court scene where the Kitchen Gods are interrogated by the Emperor of Heaven, the format shifts to a daring competition called ‘Daredevil’ featuring over 30 contestants from various sectors. All the participants are vying for the coveted 'Daredevil' crown, which signifies both the Emperor’s acknowledgment and an increase in power.

However, this competition inadvertently exposes the flaws and unresolved issues within the industries the Kitchen Gods oversee. A major theme emerges: fear of making mistakes, reluctance to take responsibility, and a forgetfulness of the true duty of the Kitchen Gods – to serve and improve the lives of the people. Music has always been a key highlight of The Kitchen Gods, and this year’s show will include new tunes as well as popular hits from the past 20 years, such as 'Flood from the Intersection', 'Confused Style', 'So Surprising', and 'Debt Love Song'. The revamped lyrics of these familiar tunes are sure to bring nostalgia and excitement to loyal fans of the show.

Don’t miss the show airing at 8 PM on New Year’s Eve on VTV channels. Be sure to tune in!

The Last Afternoon of the Year is an annual news, music, and talk show produced by the News Department of Vietnam Television. It airs at 5:00 PM on the eve of the Lunar New Year across VTV1 (from 2008 to 2014 and since 2016) and all VTV channels (in 2007, 2015, and 2023), with simulcasts on some VTV channels since 2016.

The program is like a festive celebration filled with color and sound, offering captivating content. Carefully crafted, it showcases the unique cultural heritage of Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups, with a rich and vibrant lineup that delivers high-quality entertainment for viewers on the final afternoon of the old year. Through the show, the audience is introduced to the various Tết customs from across the regions and enjoys delightful conversations with special guests or impressive artistic performances.

Each year, the show adopts a different theme to share meaningful stories from all corners of the country, inspiring viewers to embrace a peaceful Tết surrounded by family. The theme for 2023 is 'Returning Home for Tết'.

Welcoming Tết with VTV is an annual program and one of VTV's standout shows during the Lunar New Year season. This year, according to director Lê Mỹ Cường – the show's director – the 2023 edition of Welcoming Tết with VTV will offer viewers unforgettable moments on the first day of the new year. In this special show, the audience will have the chance to reflect on the past year before eagerly looking forward to a fresh start filled with positivity and hope.

This year's theme for Welcoming Tết with VTV is "Vietnamese Colors". The program will take viewers on a journey to paint a picture of Vietnam, a canvas created by the events, personalities, and cultural landmarks that marked the year 2022-2023.

Director Lê Mỹ Cường also shared that most of the reports and outdoor segments will begin or end with colors, brushstrokes, and materials that match the storyline and overall theme of the program. The production team is also preparing an MV for the show and working on post-production.

Welcoming Tết with VTV has become a cherished tradition over the past 10 years, starting in 2013, airing during the prime time of the first day of Tết every year. This year, with the theme "Vietnamese Colors", the program will be presented in five chapters, each corresponding to a different color, blending a variety of artistic elements to create a colorful and vibrant experience for the audience. The show will air at 8:00 PM on the first day of the Lunar New Year (January 22, 2023) on VTV3.