Speaking at the event, Tian Qiru, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam, described the Dragon Boat Festival as one of China's most important traditional celebrations. For more than 2,000 years, the festival has embodied aspirations for health, wellbeing and family unity, while helping preserve cultural heritage through customs such as making rice dumplings, dragon boat racing, hanging mugwort and wearing scented sachets.
He noted that Viet Nam and China share many cultural traditions and social customs. Although the festival is celebrated in different ways in each country, it reflects common values and aspirations for harmony, prosperity and happiness.
The event offered visitors a variety of cultural experiences, including traditional Chinese cuisine, five-coloured thread weaving, sachet making, folk games, Hanfu performances, artistic presentations and hands-on rice dumpling making.
Zhang Deshan, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Ha Noi, said the Dragon Boat Festival embodies patriotism, humanistic values and a philosophy of harmony between people and nature. He added that the festival has evolved beyond a traditional celebration to become a symbol of cultural exchange between Eastern civilisations and the wider world.
While Chinese customs include hanging mugwort leaves, wearing five-coloured bracelets, making rice dumplings and holding dragon boat races, Viet Nam's Doan Ngo Festival, often referred to as the “Pest-Killing Festival”, is marked by traditions such as eating fermented glutinous rice, seasonal fruits, ash cakes and traditional sweet soups in the hope of ensuring good health and a bountiful harvest.
Participants said the similarities and distinctive features of the festival in both countries demonstrate the close cultural ties between Viet Nam and China, helping to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between their peoples.
