HÀ NỘI — Cultural activities featuring traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) activities and a special organic produce market will be held at a Spring Festival in downtown Hà Nội from February 2-8.

The Việt Nam Exhibition Centre of Culture and Art will present food and art to prepare for Tết celebration, such as bánh chưng (square glutinous cake), tea, lanterns, calligraphy, flowers and mâm ngũ quả (a set of five kinds of fruits).

Dương Văn Quynh, director of the centre, said artisans from traditional craft villages nationwide would display their skills. They wouldl introduce paper flowers from Thanh Tiên Village (Huế), silverwork  from Châu Khê Village (Hải Dương), bamboo dragonflies from Thạch Thất District (Hà Nội) and conical hats from Chuông Village, Thanh Oai District (Hà Nội).

An exhibition of 100 photos will introduce cultural heritage, nature and the traditional celebrations of Vietnamese people.

A space will also feature how Vietnamese celebrated Lunar New Year in the past.

Flying high: Artists perform in a rehearsal of performance for Spring Festival to be organised at the Việt Nam Exhibition, Culture and Art Centre. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

This is the Year of the Dog, an animal in the Asian zodiac that is compatible with Tiger and the Horse, so the exhibition will recall historical events that happened in Dog years and famous people born in past Dog years.

Visitors will be able to buy organic produce organised by the exporting ANA Việt Nam Company, and precious stones from members of the Việt Nam Gemstones Association.

Visitors will be able to enjoy New Year cuisine area with specialties cooked in small huts with leaf roofs.

Artists will also perform at the event. They will be from the Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) Theatre, the Việt Nam Music, Dance and Songs Theatre, the Việt Nam Circus Federation, the Việt Nam Chèo (Traditional Operetta) Theatre and the Việt Nam Central Puppetry Theatre.

The festival will be held from 9am to 9pm at the Việt Nam Exhibition, Culture and Art Centre, 2 Hoa Lư Street, Hà Nội. — VNS