FROM TET QUAN DAN TO A WORLD RECORD

Born in 1954 in Ca Mau Province, Major General Vu Cao Quan has devoted more than four decades to Vietnam’s military service. Beyond his military career, Major General Vu Cao Quan has devoted significant efforts to community activities. As Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoa Hao General Hospital – Can Tho Medic, he has been involved in programs providing medical examinations, medicines and gifts to policy families and disadvantaged communities in remote areas of the Mekong Delta, as well as people in border provinces of neighboring Cambodia.

His long-standing connection with Can Tho is also reflected through the Tet Quan Dan program, an initiative that brings together military forces and local communities through cultural, social and charitable activities. Over the years, the program has become a distinctive expression of solidarity between the military and the people in the Mekong Delta city. For Tet Quan Dan 2026, Major General Vu Cao Quan initiated and directed the creation of several large-scale artworks using beans and other agricultural products. The artworks were assembled entirely by hand, transforming familiar agricultural materials into large artistic installations.

The bean artworks depict the Flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the national flag, a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, and the symbol marking 20 years of Tet Quan Dan in Can Tho. (Photo: VietKings)

Four prominent two-sided artworks were created for the 2026 program. They included models of the Flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the National Flag of Vietnam, measuring 9.1 m × 6.3 m; a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, measuring 9.76 m × 6.1 m; and a symbol commemorating 20 years of Tet Quan Dan in Can Tho, measuring 8.54 m × 6.1 m.

More than 4 tonnes of beans of various types were used to complete the artworks. Each element was manually assembled, requiring careful craftsmanship and considerable effort to form the large-scale images from thousands of individual agricultural seeds. After completion, the four artworks were installed on four barges, each measuring 34 m in length and 9.5 m in width. The barges subsequently became a distinctive moving exhibition on the waterways of Can Tho.

The four large-scale artworks, assembled by hand from more than 4 tonnes of beans, were displayed on four barges measuring 34 m long and 9.5 m wide before parading on the Can Tho River during Tet Quan Dan 2026. (Photo: VietKings)

On January 30 and 31, 2026, the four barges carrying the bean artworks participated in a parade on the Can Tho River, forming part of the Tet Quan Dan 2026 activities. The parade combined traditional agricultural materials, handmade art, the characteristic river landscape of the Mekong Delta and the community-oriented spirit of the festival.

WORLD RECORD RECOGNITION

Based on the uniqueness of the concept and its implementation, the World Records Union (WorldKings) officially recognized the achievement with the world record title: “The first person in the world to initiate and oversee hand-assembled artworks made from beans for a barge parade on a river.”

WorldKings officially presented the World Record certificate to Major General Vu Cao Quan on September 12, 2026, during an international scientific conference at Hoa Hao General Hospital - Can Tho Medic. WorldKings authorized the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) to present the record certificate on its behalf.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of WorldKings and VietKings, including Lieutenant General and Hero of the People’s Armed Forces Pham Tuan, former Director General of the General Department of Defence Industry and Vietnam’s first astronaut; Dr. Lawyer Nguyen Van Vien – Director of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Institute; Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Record Association; Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh – Secretary General of the World Records Union (WorldKings); Vice President of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings); Mr. Ha Phuoc Dung – Head of Record Projects Development Division; and Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuong Van – Deputy Secretary General and Head of International Relations Division of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings).

Lieutenant General and Hero of the People’s Armed Forces Pham Tuan, former Director General of the General Department of Defence Industry, and Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh - Secretary General of the World Records Union (WorldKings); Vice President of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) presented World Record certificate to Major General, Record Holder Vu Cao Quan. (Photo: Vietkings)

The World Record not only recognizes an unprecedented creative approach using Vietnamese agricultural products, but also highlights the cultural and community values associated with Tet Quan Dan and the river-based identity of Can Tho. From humble beans to monumental artworks moving along the river, the achievement offers an innovative way to promote Can Tho's image while strengthening connections among people, culture, and community.