Tree planting festivals and spring fests cheer up localities in New Year

Local leaders and representatives of provincial departments plant 300 peach trees after a launching ceremony held in Lang Son province on February 12

Tree planting, an annual practice of Lunar New Year (Tet) festival initiated by President Ho Chi Minh, was launched in cities and provinces across the country on February 12.

In the northern province of Lang Son, local leaders and representatives of provincial departments and agencies planted 300 peach trees after a launching ceremony yesterday. This year, the province targets to afforest more than 9,000 hectares, increasing its forest coverage to 62%.

A total of 100,000 trees were also planted during a similar event held by the provincial High Command in Bac Can province, while another 1,000 trees were grown along the Tan Vu – Lach Huyen route in Hai Phong city the same day.

The tree-planting festival was also observed in Thua Thien – Hue, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Hoa Binh provinces.

Also on February 13, the traditional Khai But (pen-brush opening) ceremony kicked off at the Temple dedicated to Chu Van An (1292-1370) – a celebrated Confucian and teacher under Tran dynasty - in Chi Linh town, northern Hai Duong province on February 13.

In the olden days, “Khai But” was a traditional practice when scholars and writers penned a line of prose or poetry to begin the new-year’s writing period.

Meanwhile in northern mountainous provinces of Hoa Binh and Tuyen Quang, ethnic groups joyfully celebrated their Khai Ha and Long Tong festivals, during which locals went to the field and ploughed to pray for a New Year of bumper crops, happiness and prosperity. They also competed in various folk games such as con (colourful fabric ball) throwing, tug of war, and volleyball.