The Embassy of Viet Nam in Canada set up a booth to promote Vietnamese culture and its stunning landscapes at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) – the country’s largest annual fair and the fifth largest in North America, running from August 24-26.
The Vietnamese booth at the Canadian National Exhibition
The booth was installed near the entrance of the fair with Vietnamese traditional “non la”, a kind of conical hat; “chu Teu”, a foolish character of Vietnamese water puppetry; cyclo, the three-wheel bicycle taxi in Viet Nam; and numerous colourful dragonflies made of bamboo; and much more on display.
Many visitors have stopped by the Vietnamese booth with curiosity for its displayed items and soon struck by the fascinating stories of Vietnamese culture and people, as well as the country’s landscapes and cuisine.
Among those visiting the booth were James Nickle and Laura Cavacece from Toronto who travelled to Ho Chi Minh City last year. They are planning to return to Viet Nam this winter to visit Ha Noi, Hue, and Phu Quoc island.
The aspects that left the biggest impression on them from the southern hub of Viet Nam were the hustle and bustle of the streets, the friendliness of locals, and the amazing array of food, the pair told the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA).
Meanwhile, John Dsovza and his wife, Debbie Dsovza, told the VNA reporter they would take a five-week tour of Viet Nam for the first time in February next year. They said they want to visit the entire country, from the north to the south, to meet people, enjoy the local cuisine, and immerse themselves with the street life.
This year’s CNE takes place from August 17 to September 3, expecting to welcome 1.5 million visitors. The 140th fair consists of a mix of shopping areas; exhibits; live entertainment; agricultural displays; sports events; a casino; and a large carnival midway with rides, games, and food.
The organisers employed a total of 2,500 people to serve the exhibition.