VietNamNet Bridge – Cultural activities featuring traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) activities and a special organic produce market will be held at a Spring Festival in downtown Hanoi from February 2-8.

For sale: The Viet Nam Exhibition Centre will present a traditional Tet market. — VNS Photos Minh Thu

The Viet Nam Exhibition Centre of Culture and Art will present food and art to prepare for Tet celebration, such as banh chung (square glutinous cake), tea, lanterns, calligraphy, flowers and mam ngu qua (a set of five kinds of fruits).

Duong Van Quynh, director of the centre, said artisans from traditional craft villages nationwide would display their skills. They would introduce paper flowers from Thanh Tien Village (Huế), silverwork from Chau Khe Village (Hai Duong), bamboo dragonflies from Thach That District (Hanoi) and conical hats from Chuong Village, Thanh Oai District (Hanoi).

An exhibition of 100 photos will introduce cultural heritage, nature and the traditional celebrations of Vietnamese people.

A space will also feature how Vietnamese celebrated Lunar New Year in the past.

This is the Year of the Dog, an animal in the Asian zodiac that is compatible with Tiger and the Horse, so the exhibition will recall historical events that happened in Dog years and famous people born in past Dog years.

Flying high: Artists perform in a rehearsal of performance for Spring Festival to be organised at the Viet Nam Exhibition, Culture and Art Centre.

Visitors will be able to buy organic produce organised by the exporting ANA Viet Nam Company, and precious stones from members of the Viet Nam Gemstones Association.

Visitors will be able to enjoy New Year cuisine area with specialties cooked in small huts with leaf roofs.

Artists will also perform at the event. They will be from the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre, the Viet Nam Music, Dance and Songs Theatre, the Viet Nam Circus Federation, the Viet Nam Cheo (Traditional Operetta) Theatre and the Viet Nam Central Puppetry Theatre.

The festival will be held from 9am to 9pm at the Viet Nam Exhibition, Culture and Art Centre, 2 Hoa Lu Street, Hanoi.

Source: VNS