Flower festival to add colour to Tet

The Phu My Hung Spring Flower Festival this year hopes to bring a richer assortment of blossoms to attract more residents and visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday.
The five-day event, co-hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City-based Phu My Hung Corporation and the Association of Orchids and Ornamental Trees, will open at 7:30pm on January 16 in the Phu My Hung urban area.
The annual event, first held in 2004, aims to highlight the country's cultural traditions.
Visitors can participate in many activities, including a ceremony to release flowers, garlands and lanterns to float on the Ban Nguyet (Crescent) Lake, creating a festive atmosphere.
There will be a contest for the most beautiful Vietnamese flowers and ornamental trees with cash prizes worth VND250 million in total.
The festival will have 500 stands displaying all kinds of flowers and plants from gardens of farmers and city residents, and 200 others selling Tet goods.
A cuisine area that serves authentic Vietnamese food will also be set up and musical performances every night will keep the event lively and exciting.
This year’s festival is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors, double the figure reported in previous year.