HÀ NỘI — A festival to celebrate Hà Nội’s most beautiful time of the year will take place from September 29 to October 1, featuring a wide range of exciting cultural activities.

The Hà Nội Fall Festival, themed Come to Fall in Love in 2023, will introduce tourism products and potential, typical craft products and souvenirs of the capital city via dedicated areas surrounding the Hoàn Kiếm (Returned Sword) Lake.

A series of parades and performances will be organised in various districts and townships. These captivating displays include the lion and dragon dances of Thanh Oai District, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession of Sơn Tây Township, the Đông Anh kite performance, the floral art of Mê Linh District, the traditional puppetry show of Tế Tiêu-Mỹ Đức, as well as the introduction of the art of tea processing and the enjoyment of West Lake lotus tea.

The highlight of the festival is the re-enactment of traditional and contemporary wedding ceremonies on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, showcasing the evolution of Vietnamese wedding customs over time. Visitors will also be treated to mesmerising dance performances, including both folk and sports dances, and a fashion show featuring the elegant áo dài, the traditional Vietnamese costume.

Young attendees will have the opportunity to participate in parades, engage in painting activities, and visit exhibitions displaying children’s artwork. Meanwhile, a procession of tourist cyclos, bicycles, and double-decker buses will travel along Thanh Niên Road, Phan Đình Phùng Street, and Hoàng Diệu Street.

Additionally, a photo exhibition entitled Sắc Thu Hà Nội (Colours of Hanoi Autumn) will be held at the Centre for Cultural and Artistic Activities on 22 Hàng Buồm Street and around the Statue of King Lý Thái Tổ.

According to the deputy director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency, Nguyễn Thị Mai Anh, the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2023 is an opportunity to promote the beauty and cultural value of city, highlighting the uniqueness and attractiveness of landscapes, historical and heritage sites of Hà Nội – an appealing, high-quality, and safe tourist destination.

It also aims to showcase the distinctive values of traditional crafts and cultural heritage of the capital city, which are considered the essence of the nation with their own unique characteristics.

"Autumn is the most beautiful time of the year in Hà Nội, offering the perfect conditions for visitors to explore and discover the famous landmarks and exquisite culinary delights of the 1,000-year-old capital," she said. — VNS