Lookatvietnam - Between January 29th and February 1st, 2009 (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th of the Lunar New Year), the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (VME) will host the program “Enjoying the Year of the Buffalo”.

This is the first time that people from Co Lam village, Tu Xa Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province will perform at VME, playing their roles with joyful and humorous songs about the profession in traditional Viet society. Next will be performances of water puppet shows with traditional plays from the Hong Phong groups from Ninh Giang District, Hai Duong Province.

In particular, visitors will have an opportunity to practice moving the puppets on the small water stage after the performances. Activities which be interesting and attractive to children include the dancing of the Thai people, pan-pipe dances, leaf-horn and music by the Hmong people from Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province, calligraphy of the Viet people and Dong Ho woodblock paintings from Dong Ho village, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province.

On the 5th day of the new lunar year (January 30th, 2009), there will be more demonstrations including dancing and the love-exchange singing of the Hani, Lu, Cong, and Thai minorities, and the making of ritual-balls by the Thai people of Lai Chau Province.

In addition, there will be demonstrations on how make traditional Vietnamese toys. During “Enjoying the Year of the Water Buffalo” this year, visitors will be shown how to make several traditional buffalo-shaped toys, such as buffalo-shaped masks, buffalo models from clay and powder, buffalo-shaped sand paintings, buffalo calves made from banyan leaves, woodblock buffalo paintings, and, in particularly, how to make woodblock blessing paintings of buffalos.

As well, there will be traditional plays and competitions, including clay cracker, swinging, a tug of war competition, head and back butting, a demonstration of the stick and buffalo fighting style of the Viet people, the “con” ritual ball plays, bamboo - stick dances, “to ma le” and “en cay” plays of the Thai people, and “pao” ritual ball games, shuttlecocks, and the spinning top game of the Hmong.

Fourth will be a chance to try samples of tradition cooking and drinks. During the bustling spring, with full of sounds and colours, on the 5th day of the new lunar year (January 30th, 2009), visitors who come to VME will have an opportunity to enjoy the traditional dishes of the Thai people used in their Tet Holiday celebrations.

In particular, there will a special evening fireworks and water puppets show, which will be held at 7:30pm on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 (the 4th day of the new lunar year) at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

With all its many various and interesting activities which will take place in the green traditional styled houses of the Vietnamese ethnic groups, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has become a popular venue in Hanoi for both domestic and foreign visitors to relax, enjoy and discover the culture and art of Vietnam on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2009.

VietNamNet/CPV