The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival will be held at the Literature Lake, a part of the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) on February 9-25.

Artists
display calligraphic skill (Photo: vov.vn)
For years, Hanoians have visited the Temple of Literature to have meaningful
words written in calligraphy, aiming to attract good fortune in the New Year.
The calligraphic works are then used to decorate their house during the New
Year celebration.
Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and
Scientific Centre, said the festival aims to promote traditional culture and
preserve the calligraphic art.
On red or yellow do (poonah) paper, they write words in traditional and
Vietnamese scripts intended to bring good health, luck and prosperity for those
in attendance.
This year, 55 calligraphers who are members of calligraphic clubs and selected
from a writing competition will perform the writing.
The artists, wearing ao dai (long robes), will sit in bamboo tents following
the traditions of the past.
One highlight of the festival is an exhibition of 35 calligraphic works written
in Vietnamese and Han-Nom scripts. The writings follow the theme of talent and
righteousness to honour the tradition of learning.
In the framework of the festival, an exhibition of traditional crafts such as
pottery, paper making, embroidery, wood carving and bronze casting will be
held.
Visitors can also learn about poonah paper and how it’s made. Beside
calligraphy, poonah paper is also used to print folk paintings and colourful
Dong Ho, Kim Hoang and Hang Trong paintings.
The festival will also feature traditional New Year food, such as chung (glutinous
rice) cakes and spring rolls, as well as art performances like cheo
(traditional opera), hat van (spiritual singing in Mother Goddesses worship),
quan ho (love duets), hat xoan (spring singing from Phu Tho province) and ca
tru (ceremonial singing).
Folk games will be available for children and visitors can also release flower
lanterns to the Literature Lake to wish for good things.
The events are taking place from January 21 to February 11 at Van (Literature)
Lake, Quoc Tu Giam street, Hanoi.
Source: VNA
Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province, is widely regarded as the cultural heartland of the Muong ethnic group. Among its many traditional communities, Luy Ai hamlet (formerly Ai hamlet) stands out as a rare location where the customs and way of life of the Muong Bi people remain largely intact.
The Truong Kha temple festival, a distinctive cultural event held every three years in Vu Ban township, Lac Son district, returned recently with vibrant rituals and folk traditions of the Muong people. Located next to the Buoi River in the Muong Trao fields, the Truong Kha Temple is dedicated to the three Kun Dol deities, revered for teaching farming techniques, irrigation, weaving, and protecting the harvest.
The demand for spaces serving community activities of residents in various areas across Hoa Binh city has been satisfied as local cultural houses now feature modern, spacious facilities thanks to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 49/NQ-HDND issued on December 28, 2021 by the city People's Council, which approved the plan for reorganising, converting, and allocating land for the construction, repair, and expansion of cultural houses in Hoa Binh’s villages and residential areas until 2025.
At the end of May, the Hoa Binh Provincial Ethnic Arts Troupe organized a series of performances for residents in Region 2 and Region 3 communes across the province. Bringing art to ethnic communities in remote, isolated, and especially disadvantaged areas has become a meaningful activity. These are not merely artistic performances but also journeys to disseminate cultural values, enrich spiritual life, and contribute to preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.