The annual Lim love duet singing festival, which often takes place on the 13th-14th of the first lunar month, will be marked this year with a festival titled Về Miền Quan Họ (Visiting Quan Họ Region). The event will include activities highlighting cultural values of the Kinh Bắc region and Bắc Ninh Province between February 14 and 26.

Getting ready: Local artists prepare costumes for a performance. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

The party began on February 14 this year together with the Spring Newspaper Festival, an exhibition of ornamental bonsai and pets, and the opening of the Bắc Ninh Culture- Tourism Week.

Beautiful stories: The ancient melodies have inspired many people. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

A highlight of the festival was the first ever Kinh Bắc Beauty Contest, where Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương born in Yên Phong – Bắc Ninh won the crown. The festival this year also celebrates the tenth anniversary of Bắc Ninh love duet’s recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

On the water: Love duet signing on a boat. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

Traditional love duets singing on boats together with water puppetry take place every day between 4pm and 6pm on February 22, 25, 26, 27 and 8pm on February 24 at Nguyên Phi Ỷ lan Lake in Bắc Ninh City.

Good rhythm: A drum dance performance by local artists. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

Artists from various troupes throughout the country are also invited to an art show at 8pm, February 25.

Big show: The main stage for love duet singing on Lim Hill. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

An exhibition introducing tourism potential in the province, culinary art and handicrafts will open on February 24 at the provincial museum.

Treats: Female singers make trầu (betel and areca nut), an ancient snack, for visitors at the festival. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

Visitors can join folk games like flying kites, walking on poles, swinging on bamboo at Nguyễn Văn Cừ Park in downtown Bắc Ninh City between February 20-26.

Bắc Ninh City is located 30km to the north east of Hà Nội.

Historic: Hundreds of materials and objects concerning the folk art of love duet singing are on display at an exhibition at the provincial museum. VNA/VNS Photo Trần Việt

Quan họ is an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics and costumes, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region formerly called Kinh Bắc, which covered present Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces. — VNS