As a rule, pho Ong do (street of calligraphers) appears around the HCMC Youth Cultural House on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Pham Ngoc Thach streets just a couple of weeks before the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet).

A calligrapher is seen drawing on lucky red envelopes 

This time, there are around 30 booths showcasing calligraphy works made in Chinese ink on paper, rocks, wood and bamboo while calligraphers of different ages and in traditional Vietnamese costumes are on hands to write words or phrases carrying the meaning of luck, peace, good health or prosperity upon request, with prices ranging from VND30,000 (US$1.32) to VND50,000.

Customers will have the opportunity to watch artists making paintings, portrait drawings or wooden carvings.

The calligraphy street has become one of the annual traditional events in the lead up to Tet in the city as the Vietnamese often seek luck, peace, good health or prosperity through calligraphy.

The pavement in front of the HCMC Youth Cultural House on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1 is full of booths displaying calligraphy paintings and Tet decorative items

Those passing by the intersection these days can feel the animated Tet atmosphere awash with the yellow and pastel pink colors of artificial apricot and peach blossom flowers.

Vo Tuan Xuan Thanh, a young calligrapher, told the Daily that he started learning to write calligraphy when he was in the seventh grade and this is the second year he has joined the traditional event to give lucky words and good wishes to customers on the occasion of the new year.

The street of calligraphers will be open for public viewing from now until February 15, one day before the Lunar New Year kicks off, with a range of cultural and entertainment activities such as dragon and lion dances and martial art performances.

SGT