Visit The Stunning Lotus Field In Quang Nam
	Vietnamese Artist Creates Unique Portraits From Lotus Leaves

The first Hanoi Lotus Festival 2024 opened at West Lake Creative Cultural Space on July 12, honoring the value of the lotus and offering exciting programs to visitors, VOV reported.

Held until July 16, the festival also introduces OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items and the culture of northern mountain provinces, Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of Hanoi City People's Committee, told the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony of Hanoi Lotus Festival 2024.

“Hanoi is developing lotus plants as part of the strategy to restructure the agricultural sector associated with the development of urban agriculture and tourism. This is one of the important parts in restructuring crops and livestock to suit the urbanization process and build sustainable eco-urban areas,” said Quyen.

At the festival, the organizers awarded prizes to winners of the photo contest “Beauty, Ao Dai, and Lotus”. The Vietnam Record Organization presented two record certificates, "The largest number of cyclists – 7,000 people – joining in the West Lake lotus green journey" and "The largest number of people – 1,000 people – wearing traditional ao dai with lotus motifs."

Local residents and tourists were also treated to a semi-realistic art program “Story of the Lotus” on a floating stage. This performance took place on a floating stage, featuring 1,200 professional and amateur actors, and uses unique underwater light mapping technology to celebrate the vitality of the lotus plant, conveying a message about the quintessence and culture of Hanoians.

Art performance at the opening ceremony.

OCOP products from 33 provinces and cities nationwide associated with the culture of the northern mountain provinces are on display at 100 booths. The highlight is the debut of a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh assembled from nearly 2,000 photos of lotus from different regions, and a painting made of 20,000 lotus flowers.

Within the framework of the festival, a workshop will take place on the conservation and development of Vietnamese lotus. Tay Ho district will inaugurate a center for OCOP product introduction and sale. There will be a lotus installation art space, an exhibition of lotus photos in Vietnamese life, a promotion program for Tay Ho district’s tourism, a music night featuring works by Vietnamese popular composer Trinh Cong Son, and a cycling event in which 7,000 people are expected to pedal around the West Lake.

Pham Thi Ha, a resident in the West Lake district, said she was glad to attend this program to promote lotus products and Vietnamese craft villages including lotus silk for weaving clothes and pottery villages making lotus flower carving.

“Today lotus flowers have more diverse colors like pink, white, and red-purple for public enjoyment,” Ha noted.

Lotus pond owners in the district have been working feverishly to get ready for the festival since the district People’s Committee announced the festival mid-last month, according to VNA.

The Ao Dai collection "My dear, my dear" by designer Cao Minh Tien was performed by People's Artist Lan Huong and famous actors and models at the opening program of the Hanoi Lotus Festival on the evening of July 12.

Lotus Ao Dai collection "My dear, my dear" by designer Cao Minh Tien with the participation of People's Artist Lan Huong, Artist Khuat Quynh Hoa and many famous models.

The festival attracts local residents and visitors. Photo: HAUFO

Farmer Chu Duc Trong said this year, lotus started blooming in May but the pond owners are currently pruning the plants to ensure the lotus garden remains green during the festival.

Trong said they have been trying to keep the ponds with enough lotus for visitors to enjoy, take pictures, and experience many exciting activities. They also added some decorative objects for guests to take pictures on the spot.

He said that when first hearing about the festival, lotus pond owners like him were excited as the festival would be a great opportunity to promote Hanoi lotus.

Particularly, West Lake lotus is famous, attracting thousands of people to take pictures and enjoy tea when it's in full bloom. In preparation for the Lotus Festival, pond owners have made lotus tea and mut sen (sugar-coated lotus seeds) and arranged tea treats.

The international photo exhibition "Lotus - endless beauty" will last until July 16. Photo: VNA

Meanwhile, Luu Thi Hien, the owner of Hanoi's famous lotus tea brand Hien Xiem, said that her establishment has prepared unique lotus tea for the festival.

She said her family has had the tradition of making tea for many generations and supplied large quantities of lotus tea to the market every year.

"The art of making lotus tea has been passed down for many generations in many families in Tay Ho, but now there are only a few left. Therefore, the festival will help promote the quintessence of Hanoi lotus and encourage artisans to preserve their ancestors' craft," Hien said.

Recipe: Lotus petals spring rolls with video Spring rolls has unique faint scent of lotus, naturally sweet meat interspersed with a little grain of wood ears and shiitake mushrooms.

Vietnamese Home Cooking Recipe: Lotus Seed Sweet Soup with Dried Longan This dish a delicious dessert with many healthy benefits.