HO CHI MINH CITY: HCM City will host the floating flower festival, one of the city’s most-visited attractions in Tet (Lunar New Year), from February 2-15 (or December 15-28 of the lunar calendar) to welcome the Year of the Horse.
The On the Wharf - In the Boat fair will feature interesting cultural and tourism activities to entertain local and foreign visitors during the Tet holiday.
The spring market will feature stalls and boats showcasing a variety of flowers, ornamental trees and fruits from provinces in the Mekong Delta and other regions of the country.
The festival will present performances of tai tu music, a traditional music form of the South, on boats along Tau Hu canal, and a lion dragon dance, which will be held every night from February 12-15.
In addition, a flower street and a calligraphy market will be set up from February 12-19.
The street will have miniature landscapes arranged by flowers, depicting different themes of the colours of spring.
Visitors can get calligraphy works from artisans in hopes of having a prosperous and happy new year.
They will also have an opportunity to learn how to make traditional dishes for Tet, such as the cylindrical glutinous rice cake and candied fruits at the festival.
Many competitions on flower arrangement, photography and calligraphy will be held as well.
The floating flower market has been a familiar destination for city residents during Tet since 1975. It attracts sellers from Mekong Delta provinces who sell fruit and flowers for local people to prepare for the most important holiday in Vietnam.
The fair is organised by the city Department of Culture and Sports, and Tourism, and the Phu Dinh Ward’s People’s Committee, to preserve and promote the cultural values of traditional Tet in the city.
The fair has been recognised as one of HCM City’s annual signature festivities since 2021. — Vietnam News/ANN
