From myth to memory

In Vietnam’s cultural imagination, the horse is far more than livestock or transportation. Across centuries of myth, warfare and village life, it has evolved into a layered cultural symbol, representing resilience, loyalty and upward aspiration.

One of the earliest and most enduring images appears in the legend of Saint Giong, a folk hero believed to have defended the ancient kingdom against foreign invaders. According to the tale, he rode an iron horse that breathed fire into battle. The story is less about fantasy than about collective strength: the horse in this narrative becomes an extension of human will - powered not by grass, but by patriotism and unity.

For many Vietnamese, the sound of galloping hooves marks the symbolic beginning of their civilisational story.

Throughout Vietnam’s military history, horses were indispensable. During the 18th century, the Tay Son dynasty became famous for rapid cavalry movements described in historical records as “divine speed.” In popular imagery, national heroes are often depicted mounted, charging into battle.

In this context, the horse represents speed, endurance and unwavering loyalty, not merely as a military asset, but as a companion in moments that shaped the nation’s trajectory.

Symbolism in sacred and artistic spaces

Beyond battlefields, the horse occupies a quieter but equally meaningful presence in communal houses and temples across Vietnam.

Pairs of white and red horses often stand guard at the entrances of village communal halls. Cultural scholars interpret these figures through the lens of East Asian cosmology, with the white horse symbolising clarity and illumination, the red horse embodying vitality and fire. Rather than decorative motifs, they reflect a worldview balancing harmony and dynamic energy.

In traditional wood carvings and folk paintings, particularly in works depicting newly successful scholars returning home on horseback, the animal conveys honour and achievement. In these scenes, the horse is not muscular or aggressive as in many Western depictions, but gentle and dignified. It carries not only its rider, but also the Confucian ideal of respect for ancestry and community.

A living companion in the highlands

In Vietnam’s northern mountainous provinces such as Lao Cai and Ha Giang, horses remain an everyday presence. They transport goods along steep stone paths and accompany ethnic minority communities to highland markets.

Here, the horse symbolises perseverance and mutual dependence. It is both economic asset and family companion, reflecting the close relationship between humans and animals in rural livelihoods.

The horse has also entered Vietnamese idiom. A common proverb is “Một con ngựa đau, cả tàu bỏ cỏ” (literally: when a horse is ill, the whole stable refuses to eat). The phrase encapsulates a deeply rooted communal ethic - individual well-being is inseparable from collective welfare.

In an era of increasing individualisation, such expressions retain social relevance, reminding communities of shared responsibility.

The Year of the Horse 2026: acceleration and transformation

As Vietnam approaches the Year of the Horse 2026 in the lunar zodiac calendar, the animal’s symbolism is being revisited in contemporary terms.

Historically, the horse measured distance in physical miles. Today, Vietnam’s “horsepower” is often discussed through economic growth rates, technological innovation and global integration. The popular phrase “Mã đáo thành công” (literally: may the horse return in triumph) has evolved beyond personal fortune to reflect national ambition.

The metaphor of the horse now aligns with a broader aspiration frequently described in Vietnamese discourse as “transforming into a dragon” - a phrase suggesting a leap from agrarian foundations toward advanced industry and services.

Yet even as the symbolism adapts, its core qualities remain consistent: endurance, adaptability and forward momentum.

Across myth, temple art, battlefield history and modern economic narratives, the horse maintains a dignified place in Vietnamese cultural consciousness. Its image, sometimes sacred, sometimes practical, sometimes aspirational, continues to mirror the country’s evolving identity: grounded in history, yet oriented toward acceleration and renewal.

Giant “Eight Horses” installation draws visitors at Ha Long Bay flower boulevard

VOV.VN - Eight towering horse figures, each nearly 10 meters tall, are among the most eye-catching installations drawing residents and visitors to check in at the flower and light technology boulevard along Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province.