Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026, the "Vietnamese Lunar New Year: The Flavor of the Old Quarter" event officially opened on January 17th at the Hanoi Old Quarter Heritage Space. This event focuses on reproducing, preserving, and promoting the cultural values of the traditional Lunar New Year. As part of a series of activities celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (held in Hanoi from January 19th to 25th), it combines cultural heritage with contemporary commemorative significance.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Hong Trang, Vice Chairperson of the Hoan Kiem Ward People's Committee, stated that the event, adhering to the concept of "returning the traditional Lunar New Year to its authentic, vibrant cultural space," cleverly builds a cultural link between Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, enabling the two historical and cultural spaces to coexist harmoniously. She emphasized that the public can not only view various exhibitions, but also immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of "living within heritage"—through traditional rituals rich in spiritual value such as village pavilion welcoming ceremonies and imperial city offerings, participate in folk activities like making sticky rice cakes and carving daffodils, and relive the elegant lifestyle of Hanoi's past through spring markets, art exhibitions, and folk music performances.
As a comprehensive series of events, this event focuses on cultural experiences, creating diverse interactive scenarios. For the first time, the event is held at the Hang Bo Street historical site at No. 22, recreating the traditional Lunar New Year atmosphere and Lunar New Year market of the northern delta region of Vietnam; the renovated Ma My Street heritage house at No. 87 is also open simultaneously, allowing the public and tourists to directly experience the traditional Lunar New Year life of a Hanoi family. In addition, the traditional parade and the tree-erecting ceremony were upgraded in scale, starting from the O Quan Chuong area of Hoan Kiem Lake and traversing the ancient streets and lakeside pedestrian zone. Traditional cultural groups, craftspeople, and community members participated together. Fifteen horse-riding figures and children's wooden horse carvings became eye-catching embellishments for the Year of the Horse, highlighting the zodiac culture and intergenerational connections.
This event coincided with the first year of Hoan Kiem Ward's implementation of a two-tiered local government operation model, testing the effectiveness of grassroots governance and demonstrating the initiative and creativity of local governments in the protection, inheritance, and community integration of cultural heritage. It provided a practical model for the revitalization of cultural heritage and its connection with people's lives.
The 2026 "Vietnamese Lunar New Year: The Flavor of the Ancient Streets" event will continue until March 17th, simultaneously taking place at multiple locations in Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area, allowing the public and tourists to deeply experience the cultural heritage and vibrant charm of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year for two months. (End)
