Metropole recreates Hanoian old market

HA NOI — In the days leading up to the Lunar Year of the Dog, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi will host a festive open-air bazaar featuring more than a dozen stalls selling gourmet foods and beverages, designer clothing and handmade gifts.

The five-day Tet Ha Thanh (Hanoian Tet Market) aims to share the observances of the Vietnamese new year with locals and visitors alike. For the first time, a Vietnamese house, designed by local artist Pham Ha Hai, will be set up on the hotel’s patio, where visitors can enjoy a range of Tet holiday foods including pho, banh cuon and bun cha.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s open-air courtyard will be transformed into a bustling Hanoian market. Some 15 new vendors will take part in this year’s bazaar including Vietnamese fashion designers Hoa Nguyen as well as Miss Vietnam 2010 Ngoc Han, Liti Florist, Orfarm, Fargreen, Hellomam, The Warehouse, C-Brewmaster beer, Three Trees jewellery and local fine tea producers, Thuong Tra. A special Tet holiday hamper filled with delicious delicacies from L’Epicerie du Metropole will also be available for sale.

The market will open to the public from 11am to 8pm from February 3 to 7.

On the opening day of the bazaar, quan ho (love duet) singers will welcome guests with live musical performances. Contestants will compete to make the best banh chung (square traditional rice cake). A spectacular dragon dance will bring good fortune to all in attendance. On Sunday, there will be a banh cuon-making (rice noodle roll) competition and on Monday a gio-making (Vietnamese sausage) competition. On Tuesday, there will be a fruit carving competition. On February 7, the final day of the market, contestants will compete to make the best spring roll. Winners will receive cake vouchers for the hotel’s delicatessen L’Epicerie du Metropole. — VNS