Hanoi weekend abuzz with Tet festivities

Art exhibition “Hanoi Spring”

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is going to host an art exhibition named “Hanoi Spring,” designed to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

“Hanoi Spring” exhibition poster. Photo courtesy of Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

The exhibition features 36 paintings centered around the theme of spring in Hanoi. The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has incorporated modern digital graphics to enhance the visual experience of the viewers during the exhibition.

“Hanoi Spring” will be open from Jan. 26 to Feb. 25 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, located at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District. The operating hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Admission fee is VND40,000 ($1.60) for adults and VND20,000 (80 cents) for students.

Japanese woodblock painting exhibition

The Temple of Literature is going to host an art exhibition titled “Dialogue with Japanese woodblock painting Ukiyo-e”, featuring 38 visual works that reflect aspects of Vietnamese cultural life. The event aims to celebrate the convergence of Japanese and Vietnamese artistic traditions.

Visitors check out artworks at the “Dialogue with Japanese woodblock painting Ukiyo-e” at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the Temple of Literature

The works were inspired by Ukiyo-e, a traditional Japanese art method where carved wooden blocks are used to print images on paper and other surfaces. It is then combined with Vietnamese art materials such as silk, lacquer, or do paper (paper made from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron balansae tree).

The exhibition opens from Jan. 23 to March 12, at the Temple of Literature, 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da District. The operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Admission fee is VND70,000 ($2.80) for adults, VND35,000 (1.40 cents) for students, and free for children under 16.

Trade event exhibition

The “Convergence of Quintessence” exhibition at National Archives Center 1, spanning 5 days, will feature 300 archival documents and images showcasing Vietnam’s participation in trade fairs and exhibitions from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Historically known as dau xao, these events aimed to introduce products, create market opportunities, and promote trade.

“Convergence of Quintessence” exhibition poster. Photo courtesy of National Archives Center 1

The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first part highlights documents and images from trade events in Hanoi, while the second part showcases materials from fairs and exhibitions held in France, and other colonies in Indochina.

The event will be open to the public free of charge and will run from Jan. 26 to June 30 at National Archives Center 1, located at 5 Vu Pham Ham Street, Cau Giay District. Visitors can explore the exhibition from Monday to Saturday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Metropole Tet Market

The Metropole Tet Market has a history spanning nearly 25 years in Hanoi. Visitors can explore Tet product booths, engage in holiday activities like crafting to he (a toy figurine made from glutinous rice powder), and experience traditional calligraphy. Additionally, the Metropole culinary corner offers a taste of Hanoi’s Tet dishes.

Visitors check tables selling lucky money envelopes, calligraphies and glutinous rice fingerines to he. Photo courtesy of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

The market is open to the public from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 26, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 27 and 28, at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, located at 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District.

“Happy Tet 2024”

The “Happy Tet 2024” program, aimed at promoting trade and tourism, will take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

“Happy Tet” poster. Photo courtesy of Hanoi People’s Committee

Covering an area of 3,500 square meters, the site will feature spaces showcasing models representing traditional houses, iconic landmarks like Long Bien Bridge and Dong Xuan Market, a photo exhibition on Tet customs, as well as scenes from Tet festivities in different regions of Vietnam.

The event will also include other activities such as incense-making, art performances, a 3-D film screening, and folk games.

“Happy Tet 2024” will be held from Jan. 24 to 28, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, at 19C Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District. Admission to the event is free.