The Thai Embassy in Ha Noi co-organised with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to stage the country’s traditional Loi Krathong (lantern release) festival in Ha Noi on the evening of October 27.
It is the first time Thailand’s traditional festival has been celebrated in Viet Nam.
Loi Krathong is the second largest festival, after the Songkran (Water) festival, celebrated by Thai people annually. It is also one of the most beautiful, colourful and long-standing festivals in Thailand.
It is an occasion for Thai people to pay gratitude to the river goddess, Pra Mae Kongka, for providing water to the people. At the same time Loi Krathong is a request for Pra Mae Kongka's forgiveness for having polluted the water source.
This year’s Loi Krathong festival will be held on November 25 in Thailand.
Addressing the festival, Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam Panyarak Poolthup extended his warm welcome to the guests attending the lantern-release festival.
He noted that Thailand and Viet Nam are both agricultural countries where water resources play a very important role in people’s livelihoods.
Participants at the festival enjoyed the traditional Thai festive atmosphere thorough arts performances while tasting Thai signature dishes such as Pad Thai (stir-fried rice-noodle) and Tom Yum (spicy-sour soup).
They were also invited to take part in folk games and try their hand at making lanterns and traditional masks under the instruction of Thai artisans using Thailand-made materials.