Hanoi's culture shines bright through night activities

The event, organised by Hanoi Department of Tourism in collaboration with Ba Dinh People's Committee, runs from November 29 to December 1 at Truc Bach pedestrian street.

The programme draws inspiration from the cultural and historical memories of Vietnam during the subsidy period (1976-1986), a time before the country underwent significant reforms.

The entire event space has been transformed into a nostalgic film set, depicting a street scene reminiscent of the era, complete with trolleybus carriages and old-fashioned general stores, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the daily life of bygone times.

A key highlight of the programme is the “Hanoi Street Museum” tramline experience. Four carriages of the tram, themed around different aspects of Hanoi's history, are open to the public, offering interactive activities, with a particular focus on the city's culinary traditions. Each tram carriage showcases a distinctive theme related to food, such as rice, noodles, and culinary utensils, reflecting traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho and bun.

A recreated subsidy-era family meal is showcased at the festival. Photo: Ho Ha

Visitors had the chance to engage with the lifestyle of the past through hands-on experiences like roasting coffee beans, making fragrant coffee bags, and creating traditional toys known as to he. These activities, along with re-enactments of rationing stamps and period-themed photo shoots, offer an authentic look into life during the subsidy era.

The programme also featured insights from prominent experts in food culture. Renowned researcher and artisan of Snowshan tea, food expert Nguyen Phuong Hai, and representatives from renowned Hanoi culinary brands such as Me Tri green rice, Pho Thin Bo Ho, and Pho Cuon Huong Mai shared their knowledge with participants.

Visitors also had the opportunity to explore some of the city's scenic spots around the event area, such as the Thuy Trung Tien Temple, Truc Bach Lake, and Ngoc Island.

Traditional green rice being sold at the event in subsidy-era-style stalls

In addition to cultural experiences and culinary activities, the event included performances and musical shows on the main stage of the pedestrian street, themed around the subsidy period. Visitors can enjoy a re-enacted subsidy-era wedding, as well as music and food experiences in the simulated beer street of the era.

Specially designed subsidy-era stalls line the pedestrian street, each with a unique theme, complete with sound and lighting to enhance the atmosphere, offered visitors the chance to explore and relive the past.

At the opening ceremony, Dang Huong Giang, director of Hanoi Department of Tourism, emphasised the importance of the event stating, “This tourism promotion programme plays a crucial role in continuing the city's efforts to develop the nighttime economy through tourism products, aiming to fully and sustainably tap into the capital’s potential."

According to Giang, Hanoi now boasts 20 different nighttime tourism products. Many of the offerings are unique, of high quality, and contribute significantly to the economic and social development of the capital.

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