Over 18,000 people pay tribute to Uncle Ho during Tet

Of the total visitors, more than 9,900 were foreigners, the management board said.

The board has joined hands with relevant authorities to ensure warm welcome and safety for visitors to the mausoleum. 

Over 10,000 people have been flocking to the Temple of Literature in downtown Hanoi during the lunar New Year to ask for calligraphy works created by scholars to hang at home for good luck or as home decorations, according to Le Xuan Kieu, director of the Cultural and Scientific Centre at the Temple of Literature.

Particularly, the 2018 Spring Calligraphy opening at the Temple of Literature has drawn a large number of visitors.

During the festival, which runs from February 9 to February 25, a retrospective display has been on show, helping visitors learn more about the country’s education during the feudal period.

It also features a wide range of cultural activities showcasing the value of Vietnamese traditional folk culture, including an area for handicrafts from Hanoi’s trade villages, a display of folk paintings and folk games.

The Temple of Literature hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university. It was built in 1070 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072). The temple is located to the south of Thang Long citadel.

Before and during the lunar New Year, calligraphists gather outside the temple and write wishes in Han (Chinese script) and Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script) characters. These works of art are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations on special occasions.