Foreign ambassadors, along with representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations, gathered in Duong Lam ancient village in Hanoi’s outlying district of Son Tay on January 20-21 as they experienced a traditional Lunar New Year or Tet, the most important and biggest festival in Vietnam.
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| Tourists are instructed to wrap Chung cake in Duong Lam ancient village. Photo: Son Tay Town/FB |
Participants started their journey from a traditional Tet market at the Mong Phu communal house where several unique features of Tet celebrations were introduced to guests, including the art of calligraphy writing, folk performances, a cooking demonstration of Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake), and To he (toy figurines that are made of rice dough) workshop.
Furthermore, various local specialties such as Chung cake, crispy roasted meat, bamboo shoot soup, pork sausage, pork jelly, pickled onions, fried spring rolls, as well as handicraft and folkart products, were put on display at the stalls.
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| A guest plays blindfolded clay pot breaking game in Duong Lam ancient village. Photo: Son Tay Town/FB |
International guests experienced Tet customs such as visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year, ancestor worship, exchanging New Year greetings, and giving lucky money to children and the elderly.
Moreover, foreign diplomats visited the lacquer workshop of artist Nguyen Tan Phat and participate in Vietnamese folk games such as duck hunting, cockfighting, and fish catching.
This marked the third year that the event is held at Duong Lam village, with the ultimate aim of promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends.
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