Dragon dances and lion dances are one of the activities to celebrate Tết Nguyên Tiêu (Lantern Festival) by the Hoa ethnic group in Chợ Lớn (Big Market) in HCM City’s District 5. The festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month.  VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh

HCM CITY — The Tết Nguyên Tiêu (Lantern Festival) on the 15th day of the first lunar month, celebrated by the Hoa ethnic group in Chợ Lớn (Big Market) in HCM City’s District 5, has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The recognition was conferred by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism following a proposal made by the District 5 People’s Committee last September.

The annual longstanding tradition features various fantastic celebrations in public places from the 12th to 18th day of the first lunar month, including traditional Chinese music performances, lion dances, dragon dances, lighting of lanterns, performances of kung fu practitioners, and an exhibition of calligraphy.

A street parade and street art performances also take place on the first Full Moon day of the New Year, the main day of the festival. 

On Tết Nguyên Tiêu, thousands of locals flock to pagodas and temples to pray for good fortune, safety and happiness.

Amid concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus, the District 5 People’s Committee this year cancelled the festival celebrations that were originally scheduled to be held from February 5-8.

The Hoa (Chinese) ethnic group makes up 35 per cent of population in District 5, according to the committee.

The festival welcomed more than 30,000 foreign and domestic visitors last year, according to the committee’s cultural information office. — VNS