Published:  00:00 Friday - August 27, 2010

Numerous art and cultural activities have been held in Hanoi to celebrate the capital city’s millennium on October 10.

On August 25, the Thang Long Art Ornamental Plant Association opened two exhibitions of ornamental trees and stones at Ly Thai To and Indira Gandhi parks in Hanoi.

At Ly Thai To Park, near Hoan Kiem lake, over 550 ornamental trees of various species and nearly 100 works of art made of stone are on display.

According to Luu Minh Tri, President of the Thang Long Art Ornamental Plant Association, a larger exhibition will be held at the Hanoi Museum from September 25-October 30.

Twelve groups of puppeteers from overseas will join five Vietnamese groups to take part in the second International Puppetry Festival in Hanoi from September 4-9.

The festival’s opening ceremony will be held at the Hanoi Opera House and the winner of the gold cup will also receive an award of US$1,000.

Later, from October 6-11, the Ha Thanh Culinary Festival will be held at Ho Tay ( West Lake ) Park as one of the major activities to mark the city’s birthday.

The festival will attract tourist and travel agencies from all 63 cities and provinces across the country as well as foreign embassies and enterprises in Vietnam.

The festival will take place on an 8ha site divided into separate areas for cuisine, Hanoian culture and folk games.

There will be 130 stands selling special dishes from every part of Vietnam , with a special focus on traditional Hanoian dishes.