Dragon boat races at Darling Habour is part of activities celebrating Australia’s largest ever Lunar New Year festival. – Photo vov.vn

SYDNEY – Australia’s largest ever Lunar New Year festival begin in Sydney this weekend with major events taking place on Saturday, the very first day of the Lunar New Year.

Running from January 25 to February 11, the event will feature music performances and fairs at popular tourism attractions.
Speaking at a ceremony to announce the programme, Councilor of Sydney City Robert Kok said as a multicultural community with people coming from China, the Republic of Korea and Việt Nam, Sydney wants to bring all communities closer to welcome a New Year.
He said the 2019 festival drew nearly 1.5 million visitors, raking in US$28.56 million, promoting tourism and increasing revenue for the local economy.
This year, more than one million visitors across the world are expected to flock to Sydney to enjoy the largest annual celebration in Asia, he added.
Artist Valerie Khoo, curator of the festival, said more than 100 events will be organised across the city such as community dances and dragon boat races at Darling Habour, and other activities at Haymarket pedestrian street.
A highlight of the festival will be an exhibition of multi-coloured lanterns and a eight metre high tower decorated with nine golden rats designed by Australian artist Claudia Chan Shaw. VNS