On February 2 (the 5th day of the Lunar New Year), the first calligraphy writing festival of the Lunar New Year of the Snake 2025 took place at two significant cultural and historical locations in Hai Phong: the Memorial Site of the Mac Dynasty in Duong Thang Hamlet, Kien Hung Commune, Kien Thuy District, and the Special National Historic Site of the Temple Honoring Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Binh Khiem (Trạng Trình) in Trung Am Hamlet, Ly Hoc Commune, Vinh Bao District.
The first calligraphy writing festival has become a cherished cultural tradition in Hai Phong during the early days of spring. The act of beginning the year with writing symbolizes a hopeful and auspicious start to all plans, activities, and endeavors for the year ahead, reflecting people's wishes for happiness and success.
The festival atmosphere was both solemn and joyful. After the ceremonial readings of the opening script, the sound of ceremonial drums, the procession of the pen, ink slab, and water, the event featured performances, the symbolic first writing, a calligraphy competition among teachers and students, and a "calligraphy gifting" activity. Delegates, local residents, and visitors all participated in writing both Vietnamese and Sino-Nom calligraphy to mark the beginning of the year.
Below are some images captured by Cong Thuong (Industry and Trade) Newspaper reporters during the first calligraphy writing festival held in Kien Thuy and Vinh Bao districts, Hai Phong City, on February 2.