As the Year of the Horse officially began on 17 February, with fireworks lighting up cities across the country, Viet Nam appeared to be among the nations most fully embracing the moment. This is not merely because of the lunar calendar, but because the horse has long been embedded in Vietnamese cultural identity. It lives in language, legends, architecture, and everyday life.
In the twelve-zodiac system, the horse occupies the seventh position and is associated with the fire element and the Ngo hour (11:00–13:00), which symbolizes the peak of daytime energy. Its character is commonly described as strong, resilient, intelligent, and loyal, while also being linked to impulsiveness and stubbornness.
Below are several reasons why Viet Nam feels especially in sync with the Year of the Horse.
Not Just a Zodiac Sign, but Everyday Culture
Viet Nam’s closeness to the horse as a symbol is most clearly reflected in its language. There are two different words for horse: ngựa and mã.
Ngựa is a native Vietn term and frequently appears in everyday expressions such as ngựa quen đường cũ (a horse returning to its old path) or đường dài mới biết ngựa hay (only a long road reveals a good horse). These sayings are used to describe human character in a direct and grounded way.
Mã, on the other hand, comes from Sino-Vietnamese influence and is more commonly found in expressions with symbolic or aspirational meanings, such as mã đáo thành công, a wish for swift success, or thiên lý mã, the thousand-mile horse.
This distinction shows that the horse is present not only in daily conversation, but also across broader historical and cultural layers.
The proverb “Một con ngựa đau, cả tàu bỏ cỏ”, literally meaning when one horse is ill, the whole stable refuses to eat, has become a powerful symbol of social solidarity. It reflects how deeply the image of the horse is woven into the way Vietnamese society understands togetherness and shared responsibility.
Horses in Vietnamese History and Belief
Horses also occupy an important place in the history and spirituality of Viet Nam. In the legend of Saint Giong, the hero rides an iron horse that breathes fire to repel invaders before ascending to the heavens. Here, the horse is not merely a means of transport, but a symbol of sacred power and patriotism.
In temples and communal houses, pairs of red and white horse statues are often placed as guardians. The white horse represents purity and light, while the red horse symbolizes energy and strength. Together, they reflect the balance of yin and yang in traditional cosmology.
Interestingly, although horses were not native to Viet Nam and only became known from early imperial contact, their symbolic presence grew strong in the cultural imagination. In military history, Viet Nam is more commonly associated with elephant troops and naval forces. Even so, the horse endured as an image of honor, courage, and aspiration.
In mountainous regions such as Lao Cai and Ha Giang, horses remain an important means of transportation on steep and rugged routes. In these areas, the horse is not just a symbol, but a practical part of everyday economic life for ethnic minority communities.
As Viet Nam enters the Year of the Horse in 2026, this symbol feels increasingly relevant. In the past, the horse represented journeys and struggle. Today, it also serves as a metaphor for accelerated development and national ambition.
With such deep roots, from idioms and myths to sacred spaces, it is not an exaggeration to say that Viet Nam is among the countries that welcome the Year of the Horse with meaning that truly lives and breathes within its culture.
