(VNF) - The Embassy of Australia in Vietnam will host the first Mardi Gras festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Hanoi on Friday (Mar. 24^th).

The program will feature various activities, including a story telling contest called “The way to Mardi Gras” and a fashion contest named “The colors of Mardi Gras” about the LGBT community in Vietnam.

Two lucky entrants will win tickets to the 2018 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival. The best stories and costumes will be on display at the main event.

The world-famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which was recently held for the 39^th year, attracted more than 250,000 spectators. (Photo: Internet)

The main celebration will be held on March 24^th at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi (No. 8 Dao Tan Str., Ba Dinh Dist.). As well as the story exhibition and fashion show, the event will showcase memorable moments of the 2017 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, with lively musical performances by both Vietnamese and Australian artists.

Sydney Mardi Gras, starting from 1978, is one of the most popular and favorite events of the LGBT community in the world.

Ambassador of Australia in Vietnam, Craig Chittick, said the organizers aim to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras Festival from Sydney to Vietnam and to help improve the awareness on the rights of the local LGBT community.

The event is promised to bring colorful and interesting performances to audience and to deliver a message of equality to people of all genders, ages, races, religions and social ranks. The organizers will broadcast some memorable moments at Mardi Gras event in Sydney in 2017 in the background of exciting music.

Hanoi Mardi Gras will be live-streamed on the event’s Facebook page from 5 p.m. on Friday./.

Compiled by VNF