At the 2014 Spring Fair held in Hanoi until Jan 28, locals and tourists are delighted to see rare animals and items traditionally offered to kings in feudal times.

In its 24th year, the fair at Hanoi’s Giang Vo Exhibition Center features rare animals, food specialties, and handcrafted items for sale. These items include “chim sam cam” (a rare kind of waterfowl), “ga chin cua” (nine-spurred rooster), “ca anh vu” (a rare kind of carp), Tu Le glutinous rice, Nang Xuan rice, Van Phuc silk, Bat Trang pottery, and Nga Son sedge mats.

Visitors can also take part in performances of traditional music such as the UNESCO-recognized “nha nhac cung dinh Hue” (Hue’s court music) and join in various folk games.

The 20,000m2 fair is a shopper’s paradise, boasting some 800 stalls from 500 businesses nationwide and showcasing a wide variety of high-quality local goods.

Put on by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the fair aims to boost the purchase of local goods and promote and preserve traditional cultural activities for Tet holiday.