The Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2024 is a vibrant event that aims to showcase the capital’s charm and celebrate Vietnam’s National Day and the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation. Running from August 23 to 25 at the Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian zone in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District, the festival promises to dazzle visitors with the city’s vibrant attractions and “Safe-Friendly-Quality-Attractive” reputation.
This annual tourism stimulus event, organized by the Hanoi Tourism Department, elevates Hanoi’s appeal by honoring its culinary and cultural heritage. The theme, “Hanoi Noshes,” celebrates the city’s famous cuisine, known for its elegant Trang An style, and the ancient Vietnamese capital.
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| The check-in point of the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2024. Photo: Chuyen cua Ha Noi Group |
A Culinary Journey through Hanoi
Hanoi’s cuisine is a highlight of the festival, showcasing the city’s elegant and ancient culinary traditions. Along with its development, Hanoi has also incorporated the essence of various regions, creating a unique food culture. From breakfast to light afternoon meals, Hanoi’s street food offers a variety of delights, including Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), Banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich), Banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and Xoi (sticky rice), to name a few.
The festival features over 20 food booths and multiple check-in spaces, displaying typical culinary products such as Me Tri green rice flakes, Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls, Pho ‘banh mi’, and Huong Mai pho rolls. Visitors can also enjoy traditional drinks like Hanoi draft beer and braised sweet dessert soup.
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| The booth of the Royal Chefs Association of Vietnam showcases and promotes Hanoi cuisine at the festival. Photo: Hoai Nam |
One highlight of the festival is the participation of the Royal Chefs Association of Vietnam, who present and promote Hanoi’s culinary heritage. About 100 groups are participating in the festival, including folk artisans and culinary experts.
He Fish Cakes, a first-time participant, shared their excitement about the event: “We prepared ingredients for about 100 rolls a day, but they sold out between the afternoon and the opening evening. It’s a great opportunity to introduce our products and promote Vietnamese cuisine.”
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| Moc Lam Green Rice Flakes presents their signature products, including fresh com, com sticky rice, and com meatballs. Photo: Hoai Nam |
Engaging Activities and Cultural Performances
The Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival offers captivating experiences for visitors, such as craft beer tasting and traditional toy-making. Dao Tung Lam, a visitor, shared his enthusiasm for trying the Hanoi craft beer, or bia hoi, in the festival’s lively atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Sandra, a visitor from Spain, delighted in making Tohe, traditional Vietnamese toys crafted by artisans from Xuan La Village, Phu Xuyen District. These simple yet exquisite toys have been a popular gift for decades.
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| Children enjoyed creating tohe toys, a traditional craft from Xuan La Village, Hanoi. Photo: Hoai Nam |
The festival also features diverse activities such as bamboo dragonfly making, artistic flower arrangements, and recycled artwork. Visitors can interact with famous Hanoi artisans, including People’s Artisan Nguyen Huu Kiem and Meritorious Artisans Pham Van Mai and Nguyen Gia Do from Hong Ha Commune, Dan Phuong District.
Additionally, traditional art performances, including Gong shows by the Muong ethnic group and Cheo Tau and Ca Tru singing, add to the cultural richness of the festival.
Young green rice – flavor of autumn
For over a century, people of Me Tri village in Tu Liem, Hanoi, have been making ‘com’. Visiting Me Tri in autumn, one can enjoy the scent of com (young milky rice) being dried all over the village.
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Bringing children into ‘wonderland’
NDO – On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival and other holidays, ‘to he’ (toy figurines) making artisans in Xuan La village, Phuong Duc commune, Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi, are rushed to entertainment places, such as the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat park and Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, to create a ‘wonderland’ for children.
Culinary space in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
NDO – Located on the second floor of house No.25 on Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem District, Anh Tuyet Restaurant is an elegant and warm space founded by a culinary artisan.
Tips for eating out in Hanoi
The Hanoitimes – The flavor of the dishes is passed through many generations that makes them extremely special for diners.
