Thousands of local young people and foreigners flocked to District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday afternoon for an event featuring the cultures of around 100 countries around the world.

Titled “Global Village,” the event was centered on Vietnam’s upcoming Lunar New Year and had booths organizing activities that showcased the cultures, specialties, and cuisine of many countries.

The Lunar New Year starts on February 19, with festive preparations beginning around one week before the date and the celebratory atmosphere lingering another week after that.

A big crowd of people queued at the Vietnamese booth and patiently waited their turn to ask for calligraphy.

The to he (a traditional toy for children in Vietnam which is made from rice powder) section at the booth also caught huge attention from both Vietnamese and foreigners.

“This event is very powerful,” Dennis Lungano, who presented Kenyan culture, commented, saying it raised people’s awareness and provided them with knowledge of cultures around the world.

The 25-year-old man added he would return to the country someday after this first trip to Vietnam.

“There are many scooters here, I like that,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, wearing T-shirts with the text “Free Hugs from Hungary,” Lena Molnar and Felibe Pacheco offered free hugs to participants at the Hungarian booth in the hope of creating a brand for the European country.

Molnar and Pacheco said they wanted to introduce Hungarian culture to Vietnamese people since Hungary is not always the No.1 option when people think about Europe.

“I think it’s a very nice opportunity for them to get to know about new cultures, to see people from different countries from the other side of the world,” Pacheco said, while Molnar added Vietnamese people are very open to Hungarian culture though it is new to them.

Lena Molnar (in white T-shirt, left) and Felibe Pacheco (in white T-shirt, right) are seen giving free hugs at the Hungarian booth at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

Dennis Lungano (2nd from left, 2nd row) and his Kenyan friend are shown taking a selfie with three Vietnamese youths at the Kenyan booth at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News

Thousands of people gathered at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

Participants patiently wait their turn to ask for calligraphy at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

Two participants receive calligraphy at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News

A participant shows her friend her English calligraphy “Try Your Best” at the “Global Village” in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

"One, two, three, say cheese!" Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

An artisan (left) is seen making to he at the Vietnamese booth at the “Global Village” event in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen/Tuoi Tre News

Participants join a traditional game at the Vietnamese booth at the “Global Village” event in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City on February 10, 2015. Photo: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre News

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