A program called "Happy Tet 2024" recreating traditional Tet holiday will run from January 24 to 28, 2024 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The program recreates traditional Tet recently conducted at Dong Ngac Ancient Village, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi by Canon Vietnam. Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong

According to the organizers, the cultural event aims to celebrate traditional Tet (the Lunar New Year for Vietnamese people) through a series of activities, including a photo exhibition, art performance, folk games, and other cultural experiences.

The highlight of the program is the display of a 300-year-old ancient kite preserved at Song An Temple in Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province, along with 200 other kites of all kinds created by kite artisans from all over the country.

The ancient kite procession will be held on January 25 with the participation of dragon and lion dance troupes and kite club members in traditional costumes.

According to Le Thi Thiet, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Kite Cultural Heritage Conservation Center, the ancient kite dates back to the 14th century under the Le dynasty. Through many ups and downs of time, this 100-meter-long kite, made entirely of bamboo and paper, is still well preserved today.

The ancient dragon is kept at Song An Temple, Vu Thu Commune, Thai Binh Province. Photo: thaibinhtv.vn

The Kite Flying Festival is held every spring at Song An Temple in Thai Binh Province to pray for a peaceful and prosperous lunar New Year.

In 2019, the festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The festival will also feature other kite-related activities, such as kite storytelling, kite construction, and kite decoration.

Held in a spacious area of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Happy Tet 2024 features six thematic areas, namely "The Train Going Home", "A Traditional Hanoi Family", "Tet in the Central Coastal Region", "Tet in the South", "Tet among Ethnic Peoples", and "A Culinary Promotion Area".

Hanoi's cultural features will be recreated, including the customs of making and cooking Banh chung or traditional Vietnamese square cake, preparing an offering tray for the ancestors, li xi or the ritual of giving lucky money, and others.

In addition, Hanoi authorities will reserve a section to promote the city's most attractive destinations, such as Long Bien Bridge, Dong Xuan Market, Me Linh Flower Market, West Lake, and the bustling and crowded Old Quarter.

The program helps visitors experience the festive atmosphere of Tet in ancient times while fulfilling Vietnam's commitment to UNESCO to preserve and promote the heritage of Thang Long Citadel - Hanoi.

The Tet calligraphy demonstration corner inside Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Thang Long Imperial Citadel