Hà Nội — An exhibition entitled Thu Vọng Nguyệt (Memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival) was held yesterday in Văn Miếu (the Temple of Literature) in Hà Nội.

The exhibition, held by Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant chain and supported by the Văn Miếu Managerment Board, after a big festival of the same name held in the Temple a month ago to welcome Mid-Autumn Festival, where thousands of visitors joined in.

The exhibition aims to promote tourism by introducing local and foreign visitors a collection of 200 photos of Hà Nội festivities in the past and present, representing both traditional and modern celebrations.

A photo book and postcard are also being published to popularise the Temple of Literature to guests.

Prominent among the photos are Lung Linh Khuê Văn Các (Sparkling Constellation of Literature Pavillion) by Lê Việt Khánh, Đêm Hoa Đăng (Night Flower) by Nguyễn Việt Thanh and many others.

Julia Epstain from Germany, who is visiting Việt Nam for the first time, said, “The temple is our first destination to visit. I like the beautiful photos. Through them I learned how the Vietnamese welcome Mid-Autumn in the past and also present. I was very impressed by the culture.”

Epstain said organisers should popularise it widely so that foreigners can learn more about Việt Nam and its customs and habits.

Resplendent: Sparkling Khuê Văn Các by Lê Việt Khánh is among 200 photos show at the exhibition, the first of such kind held in the capital by Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant chain.

Dương Trung Quốc, a historical researcher, told Việt Nam News that he was very impressed by the festival in the Temple a month ago. He praised photographers for capturing such beautiful photos for the exhibition.

The exhibition helps to keep and preserve beautiful images in visitors minds. “The photos taken of children’s traditional games and food at the Mid-Autumn festival are valuable in particular,” he said.

A Văn Miếu Temple representative said he hopes the festivities will be held every year by Quán Ăn Ngon and become a cultural trade mark of Hà Nội.

Phạm Thị Bích Hạnh, general director of Quán Ăn Ngon Restaurant chain, said she will try her best to bring new activities to the Temple make its relics feel “live” to attract visitors while encouraging them to respect and preserve the cultural heritage left by Vietnamese ancestors.

On the first day, hundreds of local and foreign guests visited the exhibition, which will  run until November 11. — VNS