Hanoi bustling in spring days

Hanoi (VNA) – Ahead of Tet holiday, Hanoi’s streets are filled with flowers and colourful decorations, with people excited for the new year.

The near-Tet atmosphere can be felt on every street. People are more friendly, easy-going and relaxed. For every Vietnamese, Tet triggers special emotions and memories.

Dao Thi Huong Lan, 50, a resident at Dong Da district, said she feels indescribably thrilled every time the festival comes.

Flower markets are popular destinations for Hanoi people ahead of the festival. They come to enjoy the atmosphere and buy Tet flowers and bonsai trees, particularly peach blossoms and kumquat.

Hang Luoc flower market in the Hang Luoc – Hang Ma – Hang Ruoi – Hang Khoai crossroad in Hoan Kiem district is a well-known destination. In old days, farmers from the flower-growing areas of Ngoc Ha, Tu Lien, Nghi Tam, Nhat Tan and Quang Ba wards brought their flowers and plants to sell in the market on the occasion of Tet. Nowadays, Tet flowers are sold all across Hanoi, however, many Hanoi people still go to the traditional market to buy flowers and enjoy the atmosphere.

Buoi – Hoang Hoa Tham plant market is also filled with a wide variety of flowers and is busy from dawn to dusk. Hanoi’s biggest flower-growing areas, Quang An and Nhat Tan wards also draw crowds of visitors and buyers. Tet flowers are also sold along Au Co and Lac Long Quan streets in Tay Ho district.

To celebrate the Year of the Dog, numerous art shows are being organised across the capital city, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere while preserving the traditional culture.

Tet celebrations are being held in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site, the Old Quarter and So communal house in Quoc Oai district. The events feature traditional culture, such as traditional family Tet spaces, the alter space during Tet festival, making Chung cakes (square glutinous rice cakes) and folk games.|

Hoan Kiem Lake sparkles at night with flowers and lights. So do Thanh Nien, Phan Dinh Phung, Dien Bien Phu, Trang Tien, Trang Thi, Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung, Ngo Quyen, Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Thai To streets.

Tran Quoc Chiem, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said panels welcoming the occasion have been installed in the suburban areas of Phu Xuyen, Xuan Mai, Ninh Hiep and Duong Xa, as well as in central Hanoi.

On the Kitchen God day (the 23rd day of the 12th month or February 8), the Thang Long – Hanoi Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre erected Cay Neu (a tall bamboo tree with decorations used to ward off evil spirits during Tet), an old practice during Tet festival.

Tran Viet Anh, Director of the Centre, said the activity aims to promote traditional cultural values.

On February 9, (the 24th of the 12th month), the 2018 Spring Calligraphy Festival was held at the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi to honour ancient calligraphy, drawing thousands of visitors, said Anh.-VNA