HÀ NỘI — Painting exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional Tết celebrations are among activities being held in celebration of Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival, at heritage sites in Hà Nội’s Old Quarter.

To the Vietnamese, Tết is not only a festive occasion to enjoy entertainment activities, but is also an expression of the gratitude of the Vietnamese people and an occasion to commemorate ancestors and preserve the traditional customs that have been practiced for long, Trần Thúy Lan, deputy head of the Old Quarter Management Board, said.

The activities are held to introduce, preserve and honour the traditional cultural values and the characteristic customs of traditional Tết celebration, Lan said.

There is an exhibition of traditional folk paintings, a demonstration of the Tết celebration of a traditional Hanoian family and an exhibition of the Tết celebration in the olden days of the Việt Nam Scientific and Social Information Institute.

These activities are being held in heritage sites of the Old Quarter, including Kim Ngân communal house on 42-44 Hàng Bạc Street, Heritage house on 87 Mã Mây Street and Cultural Exchange Centre on 50 Đào Duy Từ Street.

Visitors will have an opportunity to see a calligraphy writing performance at the Old Quarter Heritage Information Centre on 28 Hàng Buồm Street.

Along with these activities, a traditional music performance is also being held at heritage sites until February 12.

Also on the occasion of the New Year celebration, the Hà Nội pottery museum will showcase folk paintings at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel from January 20 to February 28.

An exhibition of 15 costumes of Nguyễn kings and Trịnh lords, an exhibition of Việt Nam heritage photos and a bonsai exhibition are also being held at the former citadel.

In the first days of the year, visitors will have chance to witness a demonstration of the god kitchen worshipping ritual and a water puppet performance.

The Thăng Long Imperial Citadel will close from January 26 to 28 and open on January 29 (the second day of the first lunar month). — VNS