In Hanoi, the Hanoi Cheo Theater will hold two Chèo (traditional Vietnamese stage art) performances at Van Quan Lake in Ha Dong district at 9 p.m. and at Ngoc Son Temple at 10 p.m. on, with both events taking place on February 9.

Water puppet shows performed by artists of the Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre on February 9 and February 11 in Hoan Kiem district are expected to help local tourists and international friends to gain a greater understanding about Vietnamese culture.

Furthermore, the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee will hold a series of fireworks shows at 32 venues across the capital on February 10 to conclude the Lunar New Year’s Eve. The fireworks will last for a total of 15 minutes with nine high-range shows and 23 low-range displays taking place.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many cultural activities are set to get underway in celebration of the annual festival.

“Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring), the biggest cultural event for overseas Vietnamese (OVs) on the occasion of the lunar year of dragon, will take place from February 1 to February 2.

The annual programme will include a ceremony to offer incense and flowers to the Hung Kings, a trip in Metro Line No.1 Suoi Tien-Ben Thanh, and exchanges with localities. On February 2, participants will pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang, as well as engaging the traditional ritual of releasing carps. 

The highlight of the programme will be a meeting between the OVs and State President Vo Van Thuong, along with an art programme to be held on the night of February 2.

Most notably, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, 15-minute firework displays will be set off in six locations across the southern city, one of which will be a high-altitude display at the Thu Thiem Tunnel area, with the remaining five being low-altitude ones.

There will also be a spring flower festival, the Banh Tet Festival, Nguyen Hue flower street, and a book festival which will open to the public during February.

The Lunar New Year festival is the largest Vietnamese traditional celebration each year. This year Tet holiday will last for seven days from February 8 to February 14.

Vietnamese people believe that Tet marks the beginning of a new year, the prospect of good things ahead, and saying farewell to the old.

Source: VOV