Vietnam, Year of the Rat 2020 issue;

As usual, on the 8 of December 2019, I went to the philatelie bureau, the first day of issue of Lunar new year stamps to celebrate year of the Rat.

Actually, Year of the Rat stamps would be released on the first day of Dec but it mainly got the strict control from the communist about the sensible design 1 week before the issue day. Besides, there are some troubles about the consommation last two years. The client gave a lot of negative reviews about the design of old twelve-zodiac-cirle. Finnaly, they have canceled these samples of designer Phạm Hà Hải. Take a look on the old samples and feel how lucky we are.

The Rat year is the first year of new twelve-zodiac-cirle and it should begin with new style, new designer on stamps. For this time, Mr Nguyễn Quang Vinh is honor to pass the competition. Met him yesterday, he shared his design process, explaned about his art, signed and took photos with collectors.  He had one week to complet this set. It was the first time that only one designer make all the items for one stampset : maxicard, envelop, folder,etc.

A photo with Designer.

Waiting my turn for getting the signature of designer on my items.

Stamp in block of 6 with the first day postmark on the conner-color label and the signature at border.

Imperf stamp in block of 4 with the first day postmark on the conner and the signature at border:

 CTO stamps:

Imperf minisheet with designer signature.

Imperf minisheet with designer signature.

Specimen version:

Maxicard.

Dong Ho Folklore Paintings are well-known  by many pieces but the Rat marriage and Welcome Dragon by Rats are two of the most well-know. 

I bought this card in 2013 when I was in France. It is from the seri Nouvel-Image. So cool.

And some gift from Mr Vinh - designer to collectors. He made this envelop to offer some friends. You can see my name at the right-bottom. On the left, some traditional foods for the Tết holiday (lunar new year festival) in North of Vietnam. They are the symbol of Tết. 

Furthermore, Mr Vinh issued a brochure to talk about this set. All the passed-design and the not-released designs.

Another gift from Designer:

Hope to see you next year for Year of the Buffle!

To me, Lunar year stamp issue day is not only to get new stamps for my collection but also for the friendship. It is the only issue which attracts as much as collectors to attend the release. From Haiphong, HoaBinh and other provinces, they came to Hanoi. We had time to drink coffee, and talked about the stamps, about our hobbies. It was a beautiful day.

Thank you so much Mr Quang Vinh Nguyen!