The first Hanoi Fall Festival with the theme "Come to Fall in Love in 2023" will be held from September 29 to October 1.

This is an opportunity to promote the beauty and cultural value of the city and highlight the uniqueness and appeal of Hanoi's scenery, historical and heritage sites, according to Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency Nguyen Thi Mai Anh.

"Autumn is the most beautiful time of the year in Hanoi, providing the perfect conditions for visitors to explore and discover famous landmarks and exquisite culinary delights of the 1,000-year-old capital," she said.

It also aims to showcase the distinctive values of the capital's traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage, which are considered the essence of the nation with its own unique characteristics.

Part of the Old Quarter, Hanoi. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

To celebrate Hanoi's most beautiful time of the year, the festival will showcase tourism products and potential, typical handicrafts and souvenirs of the capital through 150 booths along Dinh Tien Hoang Street and the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Tourism has been among key factors for Hanoi's development, especially following the capital's administrative boundary expansion 15 years ago. 

A series of parades and performances will be organized in various districts and townships. These fascinating performances include the lion and dragon dances of Thanh Oai District, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession of Son Tay Town, the Dong Anh dragon performance, the flower art of Me Linh District, the traditional puppetry show of Te Tieu, My Duc District, and the introduction of the art of processing and enjoying West Lake lotus tea.

Lotus in West Lake, Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

The festival's highlight is the re-enactment of traditional and contemporary wedding ceremonies on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, showcasing the evolution of Vietnamese wedding customs over time. Visitors will enjoy mesmerizing dance performances, including folk and sports dances, and a fashion show featuring ao dai (traditional long dress).

Young festival-goers will have the opportunity to participate in parades, take part in painting activities and visit exhibitions of children's artwork. Meanwhile, a procession of tourist rickshaws, bicycles, and double-decker buses will make its way along Thanh Nien Street, Phan Dinh Phung Street, and Hoang Dieu Street.
In addition, a photo exhibition entitled Sac Thu Hanoi (Colors of Hanoi Autumn) will be held at the Center for Cultural and Artistic Activities at 22 Hang Buom Street and around the statue of King Ly Thai To.