 |
| The event welcomed the participation of more than 200 delegates from embassies, international organizations, international students studying in Vietnam, as well as members of friendship associations and affiliated organizations under the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations. |
 |
| The traditional New Year festival of several Asian countries is a long-standing cultural celebration held annually in mid-April. In each country, the festival is known by a different name, such as "Bun Pi May" in Laos, "Chol Chnam Thmey" in Cambodia, "Songkran" in Thailand, "Thingyan" in Myanmar, "Pohela Boishakh" in Bangladesh, and "Tamil New Year" in Sri Lanka. |
 |
| At the ceremony, delegates took part in traditional rituals to offer wishes of luck and peace for the New Year, including the Buddha bathing ceremony and other customary practices. |
 |
| The wrist-tying ceremony. |
 |
| The water splashing ceremony for good luck. |
 |
| The colorful Holi festival. |
 |
| The program also featured various traditional artistic performances by Vietnamese artists, embassy officials, and international students, including: the "Neary Chea Chuol" dance performed by the Embassy of Cambodia, a mandoline musical performance from the Embassy of Myanmar, and the "Sabaidee Pimay" dance from the Embassy of Laos, among others. |
 |
| In his speech at the ceremony, Nguyen Ngoc Ky, president of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, extended his New Year wishes for health, prosperity, and happiness to international friends. He emphasized that the traditional New Year is a time for families and loved ones to reunite. However, due to work commitments, many international friends have to celebrate the New Year away from their homeland. He expressed hope that the rituals and performances showcasing the rich cultural traditions of each country in the program would help participants experience the spirit of the traditional New Year from their home countries. |
 |
| According to Nguyen Ngoc Ky, through the peaceful and friendly activities regularly organized by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, mutual understanding will continue to be strengthened, and the solidarity between the people of Viet Nam, the people of Hanoi, and people around the world will grow ever stronger. He affirmed that Hanoi will always be a home for friendship, with open doors to welcome international friends. |
 |
| Ambassador Saadi Salama (right) participates in the wrist-tying ceremony. |
The Palestinian Ambassador to Viet Nam, Saadi Salama, praised the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations for always creating a friendly and warm atmosphere for embassies, especially those from Asian countries, to welcome the New Year and bid farewell to the old year. Through the program, he had the opportunity to learn more about the unique cultural features of many countries. The Ambassador affirmed that, in international exchanges and interactions, he would share the valuable cultural experiences gained in Hanoi and introduce the warm friendship of the Vietnamese people to the people of Palestine and the Arab community.
 |
| Sitthipphong Soutthivong (second from the left) and his friends prepare the water for the water-splashing ceremony. |
Sitthipphong Soutthivong (Laotian student, born in 2002), a fourth-year student from the Department of Psychology at the Academy of Educational Management, shared: "I have been living and studying in Viet Nam for 4 years, and this is my third time participating in the program. What is special this year is that I had the opportunity to help prepare for the event, from decorating marigold flowers, which symbolize prosperity and good luck, to preparing water for the water-splashing ceremony. I hope that these traditional rituals will help international students who are far from home feel less homesick and bring a peaceful and prosperous New Year to everyone."
Source: Vietnamtimes
