Hanoi kicks off the Spring Calligraphy Festival in celebration of Lunar New Year

The 2025 Spring Calligraphy Festival will be officially opened on January 23 at the serene Ho Van (Literature Lake), located within the national special heritage site in Hanoi's Dong Da District, said Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam).

An international guest at the 2025 Spring Calligraphy Festival. Photo: Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam

According to Kieu, this year’s festival features two key highlights: the complete restoration of the Van Lake area, now offering a modern and welcoming space for visitors and a series of engaging events scheduled throughout the festival.

The festival runs daily from 8 am to 10 pm with 47 skilled calligraphers showcasing their artistry. In addition to the exquisite calligraphy performances, visitors can enjoy several enriching cultural exhibitions.

The calligraphy exhibition entitled "Practical Education" will feature 100 calligraphy works in the ancient Vietnamese traditional Nom script and Latin letters.

The photo exhibition "Vietnam - My Homeland" will showcase 50 captivating heritage photographs selected from the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2012-2018.

Meanwhile, the exhibition "Drawing a Snake" offers a unique exploration of the snake, the zodiac animal for the upcoming Lunar New Year, through the lens of tradition and modernity. Visitors will see 77 illustrations by 75 Vietnamese artists from around the world celebrating the spirit of this symbolic creature.

The Spring Calligraphy Festival is a remarkable event for Vietnamese and international visitors during this year's Tet holiday.

Inside the temple, visitors can also enjoy "Old Traces of Culture 3: Thien Quang" photo exhibition in the front hall of Thai Hoc House, which showcases the ancient trades of Thang Long (the old name of Hanoi) and highlights the enduring importance of knowledge and culture throughout Vietnam's history. In addition, "Storytelling Steles 2" at the Doctorate Steles House provides a fascinating look at the 82 doctorate steles and their role in Vietnam's educational heritage.

In addition to these exhibitions, visitors can participate in a variety of cultural activities, including a heritage education program and reading culture room; an exhibition of traditional village handicrafts; folk games; lion dance; traditional music and dance performances, including Quan Ho, Ca Tru, and Cheo, among many others.

The Spring Calligraphy Festival is a celebration of Vietnamese heritage, culture and education. Through these activities, organizers hope to foster a deeper appreciation for Vietnam's rich traditions while encouraging the continued pursuit of knowledge and learning among younger generations.