HÀ NỘI — BUBU Town can be recognised from afar by its colourful gate, with two rainbow flags waving from it.

BUBU Town, the land of freedom, tolerance and equality, will take place on May 20 at the American Club, Hà Nội. It serves a rendezvous for the local and international LGBT community to mingle in a free, equal, and non-discriminative atmosphere.

“BUBU is a place where everyone can freely express themselves without being afraid of others’ judgment. People here can simply be themselves,” said Lương Minh Ngọc, head of the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE).

There will be singing, dancing, acoustic music, a fashion show and DJ performances throughout the day. It’s also a top photo opportunity for anyone savvy with Instagram. There will be a wall of paper plates, each decorated with paint and colouring pens to pose in front of.

There will also be a petition signing at the event, focusing on the rights of transgender people.

Việt Nam is amending the Civil Code in which there are two articles relating to the rights of transgender people. The amendments will require transgender people to change their names and reassign their sexes. Signatures of the supporters would be submitted to the Ministry of Justice along with a letter of recommendations for the amendment.

The BUBU Tolerance Area exhibits individuals and organisations’ ideas to protect the rights of LGBT people. BUBU Creativity Area has a costume space for people to hire clothes and make up, as well as to have their face painted or get a henna tattoo.

In front of the costume space is a small yard for carnival games such as ring toss, water passing and bottle design.

In the heart of the town is the rainbow square, where all the citizen gather for common activities. The lawn here is an ideal picnic space for couples and groups to enjoy comforts under the shade of a giant umbrella.

Ambassadors and UN representatives, alongside their families will also join the event to express their support for BUBU Town’s values, and to inspire the people to be themselves and not be suppressed by the judgement of others.

Last year, the town welcomed close to 4,000 visitors.

The American Club Hanoi is located at 19/21 Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. — VNS