An annual tradition, the Vietnamese Village Tet event offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the rich customs and joyful rituals that define the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture.
| Banh chung is a seasonal dish during the traditional Tet holiday of the Vietnamese people. Photo: VietArt |
Scheduled for January 18 at Duong Lam Ancient Village, the event is organized by Son Tay Town People's Committee in cooperation with the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA). It promises to be a festive and cultural experience, showcasing the warmth and vibrancy of the Lunar New Year.
Foreign guests, including diplomats and members of international organizations, are encouraged to dress in traditional ao dai attire and join in the festivities. The program will feature an exciting array of activities designed to highlight the timeless beauty of Vietnamese Tet traditions.
A major highlight is the traditional Tet Market, where visitors can soak up the bustling atmosphere of a Vietnamese New Year celebration, with local vendors offering festive food, crafts and goods.
Mong Phu's communal courtyard hosts captivating ethnic arts performances, and as guests stroll through the village, they can snap memories at iconic landmarks and explore exhibitions showcasing local specialties.
| A corner of Duong Lam Ancient Village. Photo: Phuong Chuot |
These include exquisite paintings from Dong Ho, conical hats from Chuong Village, incense sticks from Quang Phu Cau, and toy figurines from Xuan La Village - just a sampling of Vietnam's cultural heritage.
In addition to these visual delights, visitors can actively participate in traditional Tet customs such as writing calligraphy, making square sticky rice cakes or banh chung, and making sweet peanut candy. Traditional games such as blindfolded pot smashing, cockfighting and water puppetry will further enrich the experience and provide fun and insight into the playful side of Vietnamese culture.
This year marks the 4th edition of the "Vietnamese Village Tet" event, a wonderful opportunity for both locals and tourists to celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year while honoring Vietnam's cherished cultural values.
Located in the namesake commune of Son Tay Town, Hanoi, Duong Lam Ancient Village captivates visitors at every turn with its authentic traditional houses and vivid expressions of Vietnamese rice culture. It is said to be one of the few ancient villages in Vietnam that has preserved much of its traditional architecture. Key features include an ancient village gate, a communal house, temples, pagodas, shrines, tombs, wells, and observation posts, among others. Most of Duong Lam's heritage buildings are made of laterite, a traditional material found in the area. This stone is believed to give the buildings enduring strength and a unique, timeless grace. |
