Exhibition reproduces traditional Lunar New Year Festival

HÀ NỘI — An exhibition, which recreates the Vietnamese traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) is being at the display space of the National Archives Centre 1 in Hà Nội.

More than 100 rare documents and images from the Nguyễn dynasty to the end of the 20th century are on display.

A valuable document is displayed at the exhibition. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

It is arranged in three themes: Phiên chợ ngày Xuân (Spring Market), Cung chúc Tân Xuân (Happy New Year) and Du Xuân (Travelling in Spring).

Many interactive activities during the spring market were held in parallel with the exhibition to bring interesting experiences to visitors.

Đặng Thanh Tùng, director of the State Archives and Records Administration Department, said that the exhibition and side events will partially depict the traditional Tết atmosphere with the customs and rituals of the previous generations.

"Although today, the customs during Tết have changed a lot, but the Lunar New Year still retains its own soul and is still the most important and warmest holiday in the country. Every Tết, a tradition is rekindled to honour and preserve the inherent beauty of  the event for future generations," Tùng said.

Visitors learn about Tết customs at the exhibition. VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức

Translator-artist Trịnh Lữ expressed his emotion when he saw the ancient rituals, customs and practices of Tết at the exhibition. He has lived abroad for 20 years, so for him, this exhibition is very meaningful.

"The customs and rituals of Tết always occupy an important position in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people that no matter how far they go, they will always remember it," he said.

Lữ also said he still remembers one morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year, when his parents called him up early, urged him to wear nice clothes, and then the whole family went to Quán Sứ Pagoda to take a commemorative photo. That photograph was donated by him to the National Archives Centre 1 for display at this exhibition.

According to Ngô Thiếu Hiệu, former director of the National Archives Centre 1, this exhibition introduces to the public a traditional Tết atmosphere through a variety of archival materials of various genres such as images, manuscripts, newspapers, paintings…

"The exhibition is presented in an easy to understand the form, with attractive content, which is especially useful for young people. Visitors will understand the old Tết rites and customs that are no longer popular today, such as setting up a new year pole, sprinkling lime powder or drawing bows and arrows in front of the house,” he said.

The exhibition offers free entry from January 14 to March 15 at the National Archives Centre 1, 5 Vũ Phạm Hàm Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội. VNS