HỘI AN — A mixture of lanterns, traditional music performances, songs and dances by Vietnamese and Korean artists lit up Korean Cultural Day in the ancient city of Hoi An over the weekend.

South Korean troupes – the World Music Assemble One, RAAK, Sachoom, Bibap – and the Hội An traditional art performance troupe staged Bang A Tha Ryeong, Vietnamese love songs, Jinju Arirang in colour lantern demonstrations with the participation of thousands of local residents, Korean and other foreign tourists.

Diplomatic relations: South Korean Ambassador to Việt Nam, Lee Hyuk, and Vietnamese partners light up lanterns in Hội An.— VNS Photo Công Thành

Hội An’s crafts and Korean food, caligraphy, kimchi tasting and lantern installations, hanbok try-on and a photo exhibition created  entertainment over two evenings in the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city.

“Korean music, movies and culture are welcomed by Vietnamese people, while phở (rice noodle with beef) and Vietnamese food are also warmly greeted by Koreans,” South Korean Ambassador to Việt Nam, Lee Hyuk said at the opening of Korean Cultural Day on Saturday.

“Hội An is a favourite destination of Korean tourists, and the city is really a peaceful rendezvous for Vietnamese and Korean culture exchanges celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries,” he said.

Dancing delight: Vietnamese and Korean artists join in a mixture of Vietnamese and Korean traditional dances and songs. — VNS Photo Công Thành

He noted that South Korea had become the largest investor in Việt Nam, and the second largest donor of official development assistance (ODA).

The event closed yesterday at An Hội Sculpture Park with the release of candle-lit paper flowers on the Hoài River under a full moon.

Hội An hosted 2.6 million tourists last year, 50 per cent of them foreigners. — VNS