Major cultural events in HCM City for Lunar New Year holiday
Ho Chi Minh City is preparing a variety of major cultural and entertainment activities at many places in the city center during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, which begins on February 16 this year.
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Street of calligraphers
One of the traditional events in the lead up to Tet holiday is Pho ong do (street of calligraphers) at the HCMC Youth Cultural House on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Pham Ngoc Thach streets.
This year, the event will take place from February 2 to 15 (from the 17th to the 30th of the 12th lunar month). More than 30 calligraphers of different ages and in traditional Vietnamese costumes are ready at booths to write meaningful words for Tet at the request of customers.
Traditionally, when Tet is drawing near, the Vietnamese often keep the custom of writing nice words in calligraphy in hopes of enjoying good luck in the new year.
In addition, there will be numerous booths selling calligraphy paintings, calligraphy words about good luck, health and prosperity in the lunar new year and Tet decorative items during the week-long event.
Spring Flower Festival
As in previous years, the Spring Flower Festival will come back at Tao Dan Park in District 1 from February 10 to 21 (the 25th of the 12th lunar month to the sixth of the first lunar month), according to the city government.
Flower markets
Those needing to buy bonsai, flower and ornamental plants for home decoration during Tet could drop by September 23 Park and Le Van Tam Park in District 1 and Gia Dinh Park in Phu Nhuan District from February 8 to 12 a.m. on February 15 (Lunar New Year’s Eve).
Firework shows
One of the most anticipated activities during the country’s biggest and longest holiday is firework displays.
The city will display fireworks at low and high altitudes on Lunar New Year’s Eve on February 15 at six venues including the Saigon River Tunnel linking districts 1 and 2, Dam Sen Park in District 11, Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi District, Rung Sac Square in the coastal district of Can Gio, Lang Le – Bau Co historic relic in Binh Chanh District and Nga Ba Giong Martyrs Monument in Hoc Mon District.
Tet book street festival
A book street festival will be opened from February 13 to 19 (the 28th of the 12th lunar month to the fourth of the first lunar month) on Mac Thi Buoi, Nguyen Hue and Ngo Duc Ke streets in District 1, HCMC.
The event, themed “Nurturing knowledge- Aspiration to a new height”, will continue its mission of nurturing reading culture and providing local residents with a place for recreation during Tet.
The city government has given the nod to a street lighting decoration program to ring in the Year of the Dog. Main streets in the downtown area such as Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ham Nghi, Dong Khoi, Le Duan, Pham Ngoc Thach and Ton Duc Thang will be brightly lit throughout February.
