The 2024 Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, themed “Hanoi Noshes,” came to a successful close on August 25 at the Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street in Hai Ba Trung district. This three-day festival celebrated the unique and delicious food culture of Hanoi, showcasing a mouth-watering range of local specialties.
| Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival. Image credits: Hanoi Department of Tourism |
According to the Organizing Committee, the festival attracted over 20,000 visitors, a testament to the enduring appeal of Hanoi’s rich culture and cuisine. The event highlighted the city’s culinary excellence and contributed to Hanoi being named TripAdvisor’s “Best Food Destination for 2024.”
The festival featured nearly 80 booths, each a vibrant showcase of Hanoi’s cultural and culinary heritage. Visitors indulged in a feast of flavors, including iconic dishes such as pho bo (beef noodle soup), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and banh com (young sticky rice cakes). They also had the opportunity to sample the delicate Tay Ho lotus tea, a specialty of the region.
| Representatives of the Hanoi Department of Tourism visiting a booth at the festival |
The festival also displayed chic items from famous craft villages, including Bat Trang ceramics, Van Phuc silk, and Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan products. These artisanal creations added a layer of cultural depth to the event, captivating attendees with their beauty and craftsmanship.
Beyond the food and craft stalls, the festival offered a diverse range of interactive activities. From street circus performances and culinary workshops to folk painting classes and ethnic music shows, there was something for everyone. The organizers successfully presented Hanoi as a modern and dynamic city while preserving its cultural heritage.
Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, announced plans for more innovative promotional activities to attract tourists to the city all year round. The festival’s fashion show at the closing ceremony was a highlight, presenting a fusion of traditional and contemporary Vietnamese fashion.
