A rising number of pet dogs dressed in colourful costumes are being walked in the pedestrian streets around the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi in the first days of the Year of the dog.

Dogs lovers gather with their pets in the area every weekend.

Nguyen Nam Minh, 47, who has two dogs said that he used to keep his pets at home but recently he joined a dog lovers club and they come here every weekend to share their hobbies and experience.

"I see more and more dogs being taken here for a walk as the Year of the dog starts," Minh said.

The man said that dogs are still badly treated in Vietnam as many people still keep them to safeguard their homes or for meat only but he is optimistic that this may change as the number of people joining his club is increasing.

"We hope that dogs will be better treated this year and in the years to come," he said.

A female dog wearing nice dress

Warm clothes during a cold day

Dog lovers gather to share experiences at Hoan Kiem Lake

dtinews.vn, Vietnamnet