Along the busy streets, the hustle and bustle of traffic gives way to cheo singing, quan ho songs and the gentle wind blowing through oil paintings of Hanoi's Old Quarter. It is a moment when Hanoi, with all its tranquility and gentleness, is recreated right in the middle of a dynamic Ho Chi Minh City.
The program takes place from August 23-25 to promote and introduce the cultural characteristics and typical cultural heritage of the thousand-year-old capital Hanoi.
This is an event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024). The event is not only an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City residents to learn more about Hanoi, but also an opportunity for those far from home to find a bit of love. Images of Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, or old small alleys appear on the displayed paintings, bringing viewers back to their childhood memories. Hanoi's cultural space is vividly recreated through night markets, where each street vendor, each green rice cake, contains a whole sky of memories.
A corner of Hanoi street is recreated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, bringing a sense of familiarity to those far from home.
Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee, shared that the program "Hanoi Days in Ho Chi Minh City" is not only a simple cultural event but also a bridge for the two big cities to review their glorious history and share unique cultural values.
"Through the program, visitors will understand more about the history and culture of ancient Thang Long and modern Hanoi, and at the same time feel the close relationship between the capital Hanoi and the city named after Uncle Ho, a dynamic, affectionate and hospitable city," Ms. Vu Thu Ha emphasized.
An indispensable part of “Hanoi Days in Ho Chi Minh City” is cuisine. Typical Hanoi dishes such as pho, bun cha, banh cuon are sold, attracting a large number of diners. The uniqueness of these dishes is not only the taste, but also the crystallization of love and nostalgia for a city that used to be a place of attachment. The feeling of biting into a fragrant bun cha, or sipping a sip of fragrant lotus tea, makes people feel like they are returning to the autumn afternoons of Hanoi, sitting on the windless shore of West Lake.
Culinary space at the event
Sharing with Travellive reporter, Ms. Ngoc Hang (26 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) said: "I have been to Hanoi 3 times, I really love and am impressed with this capital city. Today, wearing an ao dai to visit a Hanoi space right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City gives me a very different feeling. It is both familiar and new, making me miss Hanoi so much."
Young people check-in at impressive spaces with Hanoi vibes
The event also featured folk art performances, from water puppetry to special ca tru performances, giving viewers unique experiences. The sights and sounds from the dances and instruments seemed to lead viewers into a quiet artistic space, where every rhythm and every lyric was imbued with the culture and quintessence of the North.
For those who have been attached to Hanoi, this is an opportunity for them to find the pieces of their soul. And for those who have never set foot in the capital, the event is a rare opportunity to feel, to understand and love more a distant yet close Hanoi.
Each soft silk strip flutters, creating a gentle and poetic Hanoi in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
“Hanoi Days in Ho Chi Minh City” is not only a simple cultural event but also a bridge between the past and the present, between people and memories. This is the place where people far from Hanoi come back, where every person in Ho Chi Minh City can find a bit of tranquility, a bit of gentleness of Hanoi amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Long Bien Bridge - a solid symbol of Hanoi through the years
The flowing ao dai amidst the scene recreating Hanoi
Closing the event, the echoes of the Hanoi days still resonated in the hearts of attendees, as a reminder of the inseparable connection between the two cities, between memories and reality, between love and nostalgia...
