Monkey bridge, 'banh chung' making at spring festival attract people in Ho Chi Minh City
Sunday, January 23, 2022, 10:12 GMT+7
Traditional Tet spaces of the annual Spring Flower Festival in Ho Chi Minh City are where young people stroll through the vibrant atmosphere to snap photos and take part in traditional activities from different regions across Vietnam whenever the Lunar New Year holiday comes around.
The festival has buzzed with exciting activities, including making banh chung (sticky rice cake), playing folk games, and walking on the symbolic cau khi, or monkey bridge, a handmade bamboo or wooden passway across a stream in the countryside.
In the lead-up to the Year of the Tiger, Ho Chi Minh City enjoys nice weather and its streets show their bustling atmosphere with colorful decorations.
City residents have also begun flocking to famous places such as the Nguyen Hue flower festival and the calligraphy streets near the Youth Culture House.
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| A lady in red 'ao dai' poses for a photo next to a blooming apricot peach blossom at the Spring Flower Festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
Stunning shades of flower gardens brighten the small section of the Spring Flower Festival on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1, signaling the typically cheerful spirit and exuberant air when it comes to Tet holiday.
Visitors can easily feel the Tet excitement as they reach the festival gate.
Thuy Duong, 27, residing in District 8, said her experience of making banh chung was emotional when she had to do all steps on her own, from cutting, folding leaves, to preparing fillings made from mung bean and fatty pork, to covering them with sticky rice and wrapping them in a beautiful representation.
“Seeing my son getting excited and enjoying the traditional Tet space prior to the Lunar New Year holiday, I am so happy,” shared Thuy Han.
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| A little girl takes pictures of her mom in front of a colorful background at the Spring Flower Festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
“We took part in the banh chung making process together, and surprisingly, my five-year-old son was so eager to conquer the monkey bridge," Han said.
She additionally shared that she felt relieved when her son finally went out to experience activities after almost six months staying at home due to COVID-19 movement restrictions last year.
This year’s Spring Flower Festival welcomes members of the public until February 6, from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.
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| The calligraphy artist draws lucky wishes for festival-goers. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
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| A young lady in pastel 'ao dai' poses for a photo with a piece of Vietnamese calligraphy. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
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| A young lady and men in red 'ao dai' stand in front of the Spring Flower Festival gate. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
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| Visitors make health declarations and have body temperature measured before entering the festival. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
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| A girl in 'ao dai' walks on the uniquely Vietnamese monkey bridge. Photo: Cong Trieu / Tuoi Tre |
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