The ceremony was started with a special unicorn dance, warming up the chill weather at the Vietnam-Germany Cultural House in Leipzig.

Bui Quang Huy, president of the Vietnamese community in the city reviewed major achievements of the community in 2009 and said this year his organisation will work with the local administration to organise a cultural week, a Mid-Autumn Festival and other cultural and sport activities as part of the ‘Vietnam Year in Germany’.

He said these activities are aimed at polishing the image of Vietnam, its land and people to German friends.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Do Hoa Binh said the two governments have decided to host the Vietnam Year in Germany and the Germany Year in Vietnam with various activities in politics, economics, culture and people’s exchange to take place throughout the year to promote the distinctive cultural identity, history and people of each country.

He said he hopes that the local administration will join hands with the Vietnamese community in Leipzig to host these events to increase mutual understanding as well as friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Participants, including Leipzig officials and friends, tasted traditional Tet dishes such as banh chung (square cake), pork pie, sticky rice and spring rolls. They also enjoyed dances and songs performed by Vietnamese nationals in the city.