HÀ NỘI — The Homeland Spring festival, an annual gathering of Vietnamese living across the world to celebrate the traditional lunar new year festival in Việt Nam, is set to take place on January 18 next year.

Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Foreign Ministry Lương Thanh Nghị made the announcement this morning, saying that the event will be jointly held between the ministry and Hà Nội and Quảng Ninh Province’s governments.

The event, which aims to facilitate exchanges and foster unity between overseas Vietnamese community and Vietnamese living in the country, will take place on the 24th day of the last month of the lunar year.

Many activities have been scheduled during the event with a focus on Việt Nam’s tradition.

The participants will attend an incense offering ceremony and pray for peace and prosperity for the country, as well as release sacrificial carps at Đô Temple complex – which holds the worshipping shrines for eight emperors of the Lý Dynasty – in Bắc Ninh Province.

A Vietnamese cuisine festival can also be expected.

Party and State leaders will also hold talks with exemplary overseas Vietnamese.

The centrepiece of the event, an art performance featuring highlighted artists among Vietnamese living inside and outside the country, will be broadcast live on national television channels.

There are usually about 1,000 overseas Vietnamese who attend the event, according to the organising board. — VNS