Vietnam Ministry Honors Ethnic Lantern Festival as Nat’l Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) on July 5 will bestow intangible cultural heritage title for the Tet Nguyen Tieu (Lantern Festival), celebrated by the Hoa ethnic group in Cho Lon (Big Market) in Ho Chi Minh City-based District 5, local media reported. The 30-year annual tradition features various public celebrations from the 12th to 15th day of the first lunar month, including dances, dragon dances, and lighting of lanterns. The Hoa ethnic group makes up 35% of population in District 5, according to the District People’s Committee. Last year, the event welcomed more than 30,000 foreign and domestic visitors. (Thanh Nien, Thanh Nien, SGGP, PLO, hcmcpv)