The second annual Hanoi Flower Festival kicked off on December 30 at Ly Thai To Square, as part of activities gearing up for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. Participants in the opening ceremonies included Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, and Hanoi officials.
At the start of the event, a 4.5-meter-high Khue Van Cac pavilion was unveiled, created using 1,000 yellow daisies.
Another 1,000 flowers were used to form a 10m-long train on a traditional dress fashioned by artisans from Hanoi.
The number 1,000 was also created using thousands of blossoms floating on the surface of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Images of Long Bien Bridge, Khue Van Cac Pavilion, rice and flower villages, the four seasons, and a scene depicting the city’s trams from the last century are on display.
Another highlight is a 6 meter-high tower of blossoms surrounded by nine dragons woven from fresh flowers and fruits. They commemorate the Ly Dynasty during its 215-year reign (1010-1225), located near the Ly Thai To statue.
Hundreds of different varieties of flowers from across Vietnam are showcased, including blossoms which are representative of Hanoi such as daisies and gladioli. In addition, more than 30,000 tulips have been brought in from the Netherlands.
During the festival, a flower-arranging contest, an ao dai (Vietnam’s traditional long dress) fashion show and a concert will take place to welcome 2010.
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| The flower-made ao dai. |
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| The Lam Yen Drum. |
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| The Long Bien Bridge |
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| A ca tru singer. |
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| Thousands of visitors could not enter the festival. |
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