Flower festival - Memorable event for local residents and foreigners

January 01, 2010 2:10 PM GMT+7

VGP - Thousands of Hanoians and foreign tourists flocked to Hoàn Kiếm Lake to contemplate the hundreds of thousands of flowers displayed at the capital’s second flower festival.

The symbol of Thăng Long-Hà Nội is made of 1,000 yellow.

The festival is not only an event to welcome the forthcoming New Year but also one of 80 events in the city organized by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Hà Nội in 2010.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Chairwoman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng said that the event also aimed to highlight the refined flower hobby of Hanoians and promote Hà Nội’s culture.

The replica of bronze drum, a symbol of the Vietnamese nation

Three new Vietnam Guinness Records, which are on display at the festival, were recognized at the ceremony.

The records were granted for the longest train on an áo dài (traditional long dress), the biggest rattan vase of lotus flowers and the biggest shell-inlaid wooden block presenting a royal proclamation by King Lý Thái Tổ.

A flower book showcased on the flower carpet

During the five-day event, visitors will also have a chance to see some of Hà Nội’s typical images, including the Temple of Literature and Long Biên Bridge. Replicas of these works have been created from flowers and are on display at the festival.

At the festival, visitors can see a 6m-high tower with nine dragons curving around and up, created from flowers and fruits, which represents 215 years of power of the Lý Dynasty (1010-1225).

The flower and fruit replica of the Royal Edict on the Transfer of the Imperial Capital, composed by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ in 1010

A tulip carpet, created from 22,000 tulips donated by the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Gerda Verburg, has attracted many visitors.

A flower show, entitled One Thousand Years of Thăng Long–One Thousand Flowers Bloom will be held on December 31 at the festival. The contest will gather competitors from 29 districts in the city, and all of the award-winning flower creations will be presented.

By VNA/Xuân Hồng