Image from Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR/HANOI (Bernama): Malaysia enthusiastically joins in on the festivities of the Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival in Vietnam by presenting a captivating booth, emanating traditional charm inspired by the rich tapestry of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations and the vibrant allure of the Wau kite.
According to a statement by Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City, the festival was organised by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and has been a platform for diplomatic missions in the city to showcase the distinctive festive traditions of their respective nations since 2021.
The director of Tourism Malaysia in Vietnam, Nor Hayati Zainuddin, said in the spirit of the joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year throughout Asia, the Malaysian booth at the Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival aims to contribute to the festive atmosphere of the Vietnamese people.
"Through this, we hope to introduce to the Vietnamese people the colourful and diverse aspects of Malaysia, encompassing natural sceneries, people, and unique traditional cultures,” she said in a statement, adding that she hopes to welcome more Vietnamese tourists to Malaysia in 2024.
Malaysia has received 323,703 Vietnamese tourists as of November 2023, signalling the significant potential for tourism development between the two countries.
This year, Tourism Malaysia aims to attract 400,000 Vietnamese tourists through a series of activities organised throughout the country, particularly in key states like Melaka, Perlis, Perak and Kelantan.
Meanwhile, this year from Feb 7 to 14, the Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival, themed "Spring of Love, Tet Reunion” continues its legacy as a familiar meeting place for Ho Chi Minh City residents during the Lunar New Year.
The Malaysian booth presents the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, marking the end of the Ramadan fasting month for the Muslim community in Malaysia, a time for gathering, socialising, and exchanging well wishes.
Also, the Wau kite is crafted meticulously from hand-painted batik, a signature material of Malaysia. Artisans in Kelantan dedicate two to three months to each Wau, making it not just a traditional toy but a symbol of Malaysian heritage.
For over two decades, the festival has maintained the city’s unique cultural identity and served as a bridge for cultural exchange between Vietnam and other countries, including Malaysia. The festival serves as a prelude to strengthening long-term cooperation and sustainable tourism development between Vietnam and Malaysia. - Bernama
