From January 24 to 28, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel will host a re-enactment of traditional Tet activities.

Young people in traditional costumes make banh chung as a way to recreate Tet atmosphere. Photo: Dinh Lang Viet group

The five-day program, entitled Happy Tet 2024, will recreate activities that royal and commoner families in ancient Vietnam did to prepare for and enjoy the celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Visitors to the event will be able to experience cultural values and activities, heritage, and famous destinations across the country through six landscapes: "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 in "The Train Going Home" and "A Traditional Hanoi Family" areas. In the former, visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of taking the train home for Tet in the past. Meanwhile, "A Traditional Hanoi Family" recreates the customary activities in a typical local home to enjoy Tet, including making and cooking banh chung (traditional Vietnamese food which is made from glutinous rice, mung beans, pork, and other ingredients) and preparing an offering tray for the ancestors.

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.

In the culinary area, visitors will have the opportunity to sample different dishes brought by local artisans from across the country.

Other activities during the five-day event include a photo exhibition, art performance, folk games, and other cultural experiences.

Hanoi expects the Happy Tet 2024 program to promote itself as an attractive destination for overseas Vietnamese and international tourists during the holiday period, connect local businesses with their overseas counterparts, and provide consumers with high-quality products and services.

The program is jointly hosted by the Hanoi Promotion Agency and the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center. It is expected to garner the attention and participation of 100 embassies and international agencies in the city.