The annual Lunar New Year (TET) Calligraphy Festival has opened at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam) located south of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel at 58 Van Mieu Street in the Dong Da District of Ha Noi.
When the Tet holidays approach, one of the traditional Vietnamese customs is to have an ong do (drawing scholar) write nice words in calligraphy with the hope of bringing good luck in the coming new year.
At the opening ceremony two young ong do, Nguyen To Tam Anh and Nguyen Hoai Thu, wrote lucky words such as Phuc (happiness), Loc (prosperity) and Tho (longevity) along with other sayings intended to bring good health, luck and prosperity for those in attendance.
As part of the event, which runs through TET, over 100 calligraphers at the exhibition will write nice words in calligraphy for customers for a nominal fee and works can be purchased as gifts for family members and friends.
This year’s exhibition will also showcase nearly 100 decorative works by members of the calligraphy Club of Ha Noi.