Van Dung bursts into tears because Tet 2026 will lack the Kitchen Gods, netizens shocked by the loss of "half the spirit of New Year's Eve".

Tet 2026 will be different as Tao Quan – the national entertainment program for over 20 years – officially disappears. Artist Van Dung broke down in tears, sharing that the absence of Tao Quan means not only the loss of laughter but also the loss of precious family reunion moments.

The Lunar New Year of 2026 marks a significant milestone in Vietnamese culture as the Táo Quân (Kitchen Gods) program – a symbol of New Year's Eve for over two decades – officially ceases to air on VTV . This absence has left millions of viewers disappointed, and artist Vân Dung, a long-time face associated with the program, couldn't hide her emotions when she shared her feelings on her personal page.

On the evening of January 19th, she unexpectedly posted an old photo of herself with Quang Thắng and Tự Long on the stage of " Gặp nhau cuối năm " (Meeting at the End of the Year), accompanied by a nostalgic caption: "Tet without banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) is sad, but without Táo Quân (the annual New Year's Eve comedy show), it's like losing half the 'soul' of New Year's Eve." Just one short sentence was enough to cause a stir on social media, as it perfectly captured the audience's longing for the program, which is considered an indispensable source of entertainment every spring.

In the article, Van Dung also mentions familiar debates among viewers: some believe that the 2015 Tet Comedy Show was the best, while others assert that the 2009 Tet Comedy Show was the "ultimate" with its hilarious parody songs, or the 2013 Tet Comedy Show for its sharp satire. But for her, "every year is great," because the greatest value of the program lies not in the script or acting, but in the moments when the whole family gathers together, enjoying food and laughing heartily in front of the TV screen.

Undeniably, Táo Quân (the annual Lunar New Year comedy show) was famous for its sharp yet charming satire, covering everything from traffic jams and floods to electricity prices, healthcare, culture, and society. This laughter was not only entertaining but also reflected real life. Therefore, the show's disappearance feels like a part of many people have lost.

Immediately after Van Dung's post was published, social media exploded. A flood of comments expressed regret, with some even likening the Lunar New Year without the Kitchen Gods to losing half its soul. Others argued that stopping the program was necessary for renewal and to avoid repetition. Despite differing viewpoints, everyone shared a common nostalgia for the timeless laughter of the show.

For over two decades, Vân Dung has been one of the most anticipated faces on Táo Quân (the annual New Year's Eve comedy show), often playing feisty and sharp-tongued characters, yet incredibly charming, creating bursts of laughter. From the Health and Culture Gods to colorful supporting roles, Vân Dung transforms flexibly, making the characters come alive and relatable. Her seamless collaboration with Quang Thắng, Tự Long, Chí Trung, and others has made her an indispensable "soul" of the program. For viewers, the image of Vân Dung in a vibrant ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), ascending to the Jade Emperor's court to report on pressing social issues, has become an unforgettable memory every spring.

For Tet 2026, VTV will present a new program called "Spring Square." But in the hearts of many, Tao Quan (the annual Lunar New Year comedy show) will forever remain a legend. As Van Dung wrote: "Happiness is simply that, nothing more is needed." A gentle statement, yet enough to close an entire era of Vietnamese showbiz, where Tao Quan was once the "king of ratings" every New Year's Eve.

Vân Dung unexpectedly recited some random poetry, hinting that there might be no Táo Quân (Kitchen God) show for the Lunar New Year of 2026? Khánh Linh15:09:35 24/12/2025Recently, artist Van Dung unexpectedly released six self-composed poems revolving around the Tet Comedy Show, also known as the Year-End Meeting, immediately causing a stir and much discussion on social media.