Vietnam - Year of the Cat 2023 issue

Today I went to the philately bureau as my personal tradition .  It is the first day issue of Year of the Cat 2023 stamps . It is always a very happy day to me because I can meet many other collectors and stamp designer there. 

About the issue of this year, it includes a set of 2 pieces and a souvenir sheet. I don't know how in your country call the souvenir sheet. In Vietnam, it is called "Bloc". And the minisheet, we call "Bloc" as well. 

This serie designed by Mr. Q. Vinh begins from year of the Rat. This year they issue a SS instead of a minisheet printed 2 set of stamps as precedent year.

Stampset - bloc of 4 with designer signature

Perforation stampset

Full stampset : the bottom of sheet, I drop all 4 first day postmark. They are pictorial postmark for 4 cities : Hanoi, Saigon, Hue and Khanh hoa. But on the first day issue, only in Hanoi, we have all of them for about one week. Then, they are transported to the cities they belong. 

Souvenir sheet shows a happy cat family. 

Perforation souvenir sheet

Here is couple of official cards issued by the post. I use the Hue postmark for the card as I quite like the "nón lá" (cone hat) . 

The back side of card, I drop all the postmark and daily cancellation. 

Another self-printed set cards I use for this issue. What do you think about the model? So hot.

This card I bought about 10 years ago. At that time, I still lived in France and bought some Nouvelle Image card for sending to my friends. The kitten looks so cool.

This set of card is self-printed too. They are a gift of stamp designer. He is so gentil.

The official FDC

Sending cards and make some souvenir with the lunar new year stamps is the first thing I prepare for lunar new year that is arriving in more than 1 months.  And I keep this routine for almost 10 years. Keep going!