Heritage fest shows off rituals, costumes

HA NOI — One thousand colorful wheels will decorate Dao Duy Tu Street of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter on November 23, part of a festival celebrating Vietnamese heritage that begins today.

The decorations honour traditional handicraft, said painter Nguyen Manh Duc, one of the organisers.

The festival starts with an event called Net Xua (Old Feature) at the Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre, 50 Dao Duy Tu Street.

The programme includes a fashion show of ao dai (traditional long robe) with collections by designers Lan Anh, Minh Minh, La Hang and Duyen Huong. Painter Kieu Quoc Khanh will paint natural landscapes in water colours on black and white outfits designed by Lan Anh.

Embroidery artisan Vu Gioi will introduce his collection of 15 court gowns copied from royal costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). Gioi will display his collection at the centre until November 27.

After the show, audiences will enjoy traditional music like cheo (operetta), tuong (classical drama) and quan ho (love duets).

Visitors will also be introduced to Viet Nam’s tea culture at Heritage House (87 Ma May Street) and traditional embroidery arts at Kim Ngan Temple (42-44 Hang Bac Street) from now until November 20. Notably, an exhibition featuring clothes for the hau dong ritual will also be displayed at the Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre until November 27.

Hau dong is used to connect people to the spirit of Mother Goddess and other deities to whom they communicate their concerns and prayers for good health and fortune. There are many hau dong pieces dedicated to Mother Goddess, Lady Bo who helped King Le Loi (1385-1433) and his army fight against the Chinese Ming invaders, and Lord Muoi, a mandarin of the Le Dynasty (1428–1788).

Researcher Ngo Duc Thinh, a leading expert in the Mother Goddess practice in Viet Nam, will host a talk show and display on November 26. — VNS