Traditional Tet rituals are being showcased from February 6 to 15 at the Ministry of Culture spring festival in Hanoi.

A recreated ethnic minority market from the northern province of LaoCai features unique specialities such as green tea, rice wine, thang co(horse or beef meat, bones and tripe cooked together), men men (steamedground maize) and xoi ngu sac (five-colour glutinous rice).

Ethnic minority people trade in bamboo cottages as they do in theirvillages. Artisans demonstrate their skill in trades like embroidery,weaving, carving and making wine.

Visitors can join folk games such as nem con (throwing a ball through a hoop) and playing khen (bamboo pipe).

The exhibition area features traditional rituals carried out duringTet, including a replica of Vietnamese people's altars to worship theirancestors. To celebrate Tet, people clean the incense burner anddecorate the altar with various offerings. Praying in front of the altaris a way of inviting their ancestors to enjoy Tet with them.

Vietnamese people have a custom of displaying folk paintings on theoccasion of spring to celebrate the new year and decorate their houses.Three popular genres of paintings will be displayed: Hang Trong, KimHoang (Ha Noi) and Dong Ho (Bac Ninh).

Paintings ofgoats by artists Le Tri Dung and Trang Thanh Hien refer to the fact thatthis is the year of the goat. A calligraphic performance will also takeplace.

The spring festival takes place at the Vietnam Culture and Arts Exhibition Centre.-VNA