In his remarks at the festival’s opening night, German Minister for Economy, Science and Digitalisation of Sachsen-Anhalt State Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann expressed his delight at the growing relations between Hoi An and Wernigerode.

The ancient city of Hoi An kicks off the second Hoi An lantern festival at Marktplatz Square in Wernigerode, its German twin town, on August 24.

He noted that over the past five years, the two cities have co-hosted a number of exchange events and enjoyed successful cooperation in economics, culture, education and environment, adding that he expects the bilateral ties will grow further towards sustainability in the coming years.

Nguyen Van Son, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An People’s Committee, hoped that the festival will be an opportunity for the ancient city to promote the beauty of its traditional culture to locals in Wernigerode, contributing to strengthening the friendship between the two peoples in the future.

Earlier the same day, Son and Wernigerode mayor Peter Gaffet signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation for the next five years, in which the two sides agreed to together implement a joint action programmee on climate protection and adaption to climate change, boost business partnership among enterprises, and offer training for workforce in hospitality.

The second Hoi An lantern festival takes place from August 23 – 25, during which Hoi An artisans light up the old streets of Wernigerode with hand-made lanterns.

The second Hoi An lantern festival takes place from August 23 – 25.

Craftspeople from Hoi An demonstrate lantern-making skills while chefs offer the traditional food of the Vietnamese ancient city. Artists from Hoi An and Wernigerode also stage a joint performance during the event.

Hoi An, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage city in the central province of Quang Nam, in co-operation with Wernigerode, provided a solar-powered system for public lighting as well as loudspeakers and lanterns last year.

Hoi An often holds lantern night events during weekends. All restaurants, cafes and hotels are decorated with colourful lanterns.

Festival introduces northwestern region’s ethnic culture

Traditional cultural values of ethnic communities in the northwestern region are being introduced at a festival which opened in Son La city of Son La province on August 18.

Bac Giang team bags silver at National Phu Dong Sports Festival’s football championship for student

(BGO) – After 7 days of competition, the final round of Football Championship, the 17th Nestlé Milo Cup under the National Phu Dong Sports Festival for primary and secondary students launched by the Ministry of Education and Training and the People’s Committee in Dong Thap province successfully ended in August 13.

Vietnamese movies win prizes at Swiss film festival

Vietnamese film makers have won a number of prizes at a European film festival. Culi Never Cries, the debut drama by Pham Ngoc Lan, won two prizes in the Open Doors section of Locarno Film Festival held in Locarno, Switzerland.

Linh Son Thanh Mau festival recognised as national intangible cultural heritage

A ceremony was held in the southern province of Tay Ninh on August 14 to announce the recognition of Linh Son Thanh Mau (Mother Goddess of the Mountain) festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Int’l finger-style guitar festival to take place in Hanoi this weekend

An international finger-style guitar festival will be held at the Youth Theatre in Hanoi on August 17, starting at 8 pm.

Source: VNA