Vietnamese Village Tet: reviving tradition, attracting int’l visitors

Recreating the traditional culture and atmosphere of the Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year), the "Vietnamese Village Tet" program attracted the participation of 157 ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations and foreign students in Hanoi.

The program was held on January 20 and 21 at Duong Lam Ancient Village by the Son Tay Town People's Committee in cooperation with the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) to celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year in 2024.

Many international guests immerse themselves in the traditional process of wrapping banh chung and   gio. Photos: Hanoimoi Newspaper

The picturesque scenery of Duong Lam Ancient Village was transformed into a vibrant color of Lunar New Year, with its Gate, Mong Phu Communal Yard, ancient houses, Doai Creative Space and Doai Community adorned with Tet flowers, peach branches, couplets and festive decorations. Many foreign guests dressed in traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai costumes, immersing themselves in the traditional culture of Vietnam.

This year's program included a variety of activities designed to showcase the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Tet, including a traditional Tet market where visitors could soak up the vibrant atmosphere, ethnic art performances at the Mong Phu communal courtyard, photo opportunities at village landmarks, and exhibitions and booths showcasing local specialties and Hanoi handicrafts such as Dong Ho paintings, Chuong Village conical hats, Quang Phu Cau Village incense sticks, and Xuan La Village toy figurines.

The international guests, who were among the 15,000 visitors to the village this time, participated in cultural experiences of traditional Tet customs such as calligraphy requests, letter writing, wrapping banh chung (square sticky rice cakes), and making peanut candy. They also enjoyed playing traditional folk games such as cockfighting, blindfolded pot smashing, and water puppetry, further deepening their connection with Vietnamese traditions.

Tourists have fun at the water puppet show.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the customs associated with the Lunar New Year, such as New Year's Eve celebrations, birthday wishes, and the symbolic act of releasing carp fish, all of which could be experienced at the ancestral houses of the Vuong-Tam family and the Ha Nguyen Huyen family.

In addition, they could learn about Tet cuisine and witness the impressive Tet feasts prepared by the residents of Duong Lam Village. They were able to experience the traditional process of wrapping banh chung and gio (Vietnamese sausage) at the Mong Phu communal courtyard.

Visitors also toured traditional artisan households and creative spaces, such as the traditional soy sauce production of the Ha Huu The family, the lacquerware production workshop and Craft Village Space of artisan Nguyen Tan Phat, and the Doai Creative Space and Doai Community curated by architect Khuat Van Thang.

Tran Anh Tuan, Secretary of the Son Tay Town Party Committee, said this is the third year the program has been organized in Duong Lam Ancient Village.

"The program aims to preserve the nation's beautiful traditional cultural values while promoting them to domestic and foreign tourists," he said. "This annual event helps attract a large number of domestic and foreign visitors to Duong Lam Ancient Village, contributing to the sustainable development of tourism," Tuan said.

Charlie Win, an American actor and Ambassador of the Hanoi Tourism Club (Left)

Charlie Win, an American actor and ambassador of the Hanoi Tourism Club, expressed that this was his first visit to Duong Lam, although he has lived in Hanoi for 13 years. He was deeply moved and left a lasting impression by the reenactment of ancient customs and cultural activities that embody the distinctive essence of Duong Lam and Vietnam.

As an ambassador of the Hanoi Tourism Club, he pledged to redouble his efforts to promote and disseminate the captivating images and unique cultural facets of Duong Lam Ancient Village and tourism in Hanoi to his acquaintances.

Nguyen Dang Thao, Head of the Management Board of Duong Lam Ancient Village, said that in its third year, the program has seen a massive turnout of international guests from diplomatic agencies, international organizations, local people, domestic and foreign tourists, and many travel agencies. They are the "tourism ambassadors" who help bring the messages and human values of traditional Vietnamese Tet to a wide range of tourists.

"This is the internal strength that confirms the attractiveness and creativity of Hanoi - a member of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, and it also contributes to promoting the sustainable tourism development of Duong Lam Ancient Village and the tourism industry of the capital city as a whole," he stressed.

According to Tuan, on January 26, Duong Lam Ancient Village will have the honor of being one of the two Vietnamese representatives to receive the "ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Product 2024" award at the ASEAN Tourism Forum - ATF 2024.