Vietnam’s 2024 Tết stamps are here, and the incomparable Nguyễn Quang Vinh is back with his 5th design. 2024 is all about celebrating the dragon, the sole fantasy creature that appears in the Lunar calendar. 

The dragon plays a significant role in the Vietnamese origin myth of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ:   

The Vietnamese origin myth is centered around the legendary figure Lạc Long Quân, the Dragon King and Âu Cơ, a fairy being from the mountains. According to the myth, these two beings came together to give birth to the Vietnamese people. The story is a foundational element of Vietnamese folklore and cultural identity.

Lạc Long Quân, often referred to as the “Dragon Lord of Lac,” was a dragon deity who emerged from the sea. Âu Cơ, on the other hand, was a fairy who lived in the mountains. The union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ resulted in the birth of a sac of 100 eggs. Each of these eggs hatched into a child, giving rise to the first inhabitants of Vietnam. The fifty sons of Lạc Long Quân, who took after their father and preferred the sea, are considered the ancestors of the Vietnamese people, while the fifty daughters of Âu Cơ, who favored the mountains, are believed to be the ancestors of the various ethnic minorities in the region.

This union between the dragon lord and the fairy is not only a tale of origin but also carries profound symbolism. Lạc Long Quân represents the water element, symbolizing the sea and maritime aspects, while Âu Cơ symbolizes the earth and mountains. The merging of these two elements reflects the harmonious coexistence of the sea and land, essential in an agrarian society like Vietnam, where the livelihoods of the people are closely tied to both environments.
Con Rồng Cháu Tiên | Legendary origin (dvan.org)

VietPost artist Nguyễn has created one of the best Lunar New Year cycles in the world.  I waited for weeks to see his artwork for the Dragon because every year, he produces a fresh interpretation.  The Tiger stamps of 2022 are still his best to date. Nguyễn used an artform unique to Vietnam, Hang Drum / Hàng Trống folk art. 

The animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.  In the Vietnamese calendar the Cat takes the place of the Rabbit, which appears in the Chinese Zodiac calendar.  

I was hoping he’d continue with his playful, lively, family-oriented designs, but for the Dragons, he changed to long sinewy dragon.  The two dragons are flying in different directions, “flying up (Thang Long) and dragons descending (Ha Long), symbols of two World Heritage Sites of Vietnam …Thang Long Imperial Citadel – where dragons fly and Ha Long Bay – where dragon peace descends” (VNPost | Introducing the stamp set “Tet Giap Thin”). 

The souvenir sheet is a complex combination of the dragons:

The block pattern shows the image of a large dragon family flying up with golden-shaped clouds symbolizing peace and luck. The image of 9 dragons gathered on the block symbolizes the winding Mekong River flowing into 9 estuaries, bringing prosperity to the agricultural economy of the Southwest region. VNPost | Introducing the stamp set “Tet Giap Thin”

 The designs extend into a set of 4 FDCs.  Nguyễn uses the entire cover as an artboard, extending the design across the envelope.  In the first two, he uses the pink/blue colour palette often seen in Vietnamese stamps. 

Nicely done set, as expected.  You can see all of 2024’s Year of the Dragon stamps here: Auspicious Dragon presents the 2024 Lunar New Year  (bittergrounds.com). Compare the interpretations and let me know which ones you prefer. You already know I have a soft spot for anything Nguyễn Quang Vinh designs. 

Is it too early to start wondering what Nguyễn’s Year of the Snake will look like?