Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - A mini version of Thailand has come to life through a Thai festival entitled "Creative Thailand: The Pulse of Tradition" at Hanoi’s Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
At the festival, from March 28 night to March 30 morning, visitors explored typical Thai dishes, along with health care and beauty care products and traditional handicrafts. They also enjoyed traditional dances from many regions of Thailand, tried making Khanom Krok coconut cakes and painting patterns on silk, among other activities.
Nguyen Thu Hue couldn't wait to post her photos on Facebook when she tried on a Thai traditional costume for the first time.
"It is totally different from Vietnamese clothes, but it is beautiful and comfortable," Hue said.
"Wearing the costume, eating Thai cuisine, enjoying their handicrafts and watching their music and dance performances in this environment, I feel like I am really in Thailand land."
At another booth, Le Phuong Anh searched information about Thai tours.
"I have not travelled to Thailand yet, I am looking for destinations and flights here. I hope to have the opportunity to travel to Thailand," Anh said, referring to a lucky draw that would bring winners to Thailand for free.
Metres away from her, many young people were learning intricate traditional paper cutting techniques, while in other corners, they tasted mango sticky rice and discovered the Thai-style flower offerings.
During the day, Thai traditional dances were performed on the central stage, while famous bands SISMA and All Thidsa Molam excited the audience with their ecstatic songs and music.
A special highlight of the festival was the demonstration of Loy Krathong through a digital platform, and the famed Songkran Water Festival, one of the most vibrant and unique festivals in Asia, recognised by UNESCO.
An outdoor movie studio served people the period film Love Destiny the Movie and the thriller comedy 404 Run Run.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, said that this was the first time the Thai Festival had been held on such a large scale in Hanoi.
It was organised at the must-see Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a relic recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2010, a great honour for the organising committee.
"By organising the Thai Festival here, we hope to honour Vietnam’s long history and rich heritage while bringing to the Vietnamese and international public the experience of the traditional rhythm of Thailand right in the heart of Hanoi," she said.
"The Thai Festival serves as a cultural bridge to promote understanding of Thai culture and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. It also aims to show the world how we are leveraging the creativity inherent in our culture to continue to keep pace with the global cultural pulse."/.
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