The Lunar New Year, collectively known as Water Festival, is not held in any country but has taken place in Hanoi for 20 years, demonstrating Hanoi is City for Peace and Vietnam is a destination of friendship.
A cultural program was held in Hanoi Friday night [April 26] to celebrate the Lunar New Year of several countries in Asia namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The program included traditional rituals, customs, and performances held at Thang Loi Hotel in the famous West Lake by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) to help people in those countries and friends celebrate the festival which is collectively known as the Water Festival.
The program titled “Friendly Exchange to Celebrate Traditional New Year in Some Asian Countries” was organized in partnership with the Embassy of Laos – the ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Presidency 2024, the embassies of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for External Relations Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Head of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung, and more than 250 representatives from embassies, international organizations, Hanoi agencies, and locals.
Speaking at the event, HAUFO’s Head Nguyen Ngoc Ky said sincere sharing and friendship will strengthen mutual understanding and tighten the bonds of solidarity between people in Vietnam and Asian countries, especially through the events held by HAUFO.
“International attendees will be able to experience New Year in the manner that is customary for them thanks to the ceremonies and performances infused with the traditional cultures of each participating nation,” Ky said.
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh thanked HAUFO for organizing the event as it offers people in Hanoi and from other countries an opportunity to understand the traditional new year in some countries which is celebrated in mid-April.
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| The Lunar New Year in seven countries:Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand celebrated in Hanoi on April 26. Photos: Dinh Hoa/Thoi Dai |
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| Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh at the event. |
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| The event attracts more than 250 participants, including many students from seven Asian countries. |
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| Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Head of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO), speaks at the program. |
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| Tyring wrist thread with ritual. |
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| A ritual for Holi - a color festival in India. |
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| Traditional dance performance in the program. |
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| Paphonesouk Mounsurisack from Laos, a 4th-year student of University of Transport and Communications in Hanoi, celebrates the traditional new year in Hanoi four times in Vietnam where she considers her second home. |
