Novruz Bayram is one of the most important holidays in Azerbaijan, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, and the United Nations has designated March 21 as International Novruz Day.
The Novruz Bayram 2025 Festival recently held in Hanoi brought visitors many interesting experiences, a warm and friendly atmosphere that brought people closer together.
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| Delegates attend the Azerbaijani Novruz Bayram Festival in Vietnam. (Photo: An Le) |
The event was organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Vietnam in collaboration with the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism (HCCT), with the presence of Ambassadors of several countries and many guests, lecturers, students, Vietnamese alumni in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and representatives of international organizations.
Holiday with more than 3,000 years of history
Novruz Bayram marks the spring equinox - when day and night are of equal length, symbolizing a new beginning, the victory of light over darkness, and reflecting the desire for peace and prosperity.
According to Azerbaijani Ambassador to Vietnam Shovgi Mehdizade, the festival has many similarities with Vietnam's New Year's Day such as honoring traditional values, family, and gratitude to nature.
Novruz Bayram is held on Tuesdays of March every year, an occasion for families to reunite, gather around the table, exchange best wishes and participate in meaningful traditional activities together.
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| Vietnamese students carry Novruz Xoncha trays with dishes, colored eggs, and spring fruits. (Photo: Le An) |
One of the main symbols of Novruz is the tradition of lighting fires and jumping over them to get rid of negative energy.
Meanwhile, the dyeing and egg-breaking competition on Novruz days is a popular custom not only for children but also loved by adults, symbolizing fertility, luck and development.
On Novruz Bayram, samani - wheat grass is grown in every home. Traditionally, a bunch of samani is placed in the middle of a large tray called Novruz Xoncha with dishes, colored chicken eggs, spring fruits.
Novruz Xoncha is often placed in the middle of guest rooms like a Christmas tree at Christmas, symbolizing abundance and prosperity in the new year.
In addition, dinner is also an indispensable flavor during the Novruz Bayram festival. Most of these meals must be cooked in every home, including Novruz Plov - "King of dishes", including rice and lamb stew with dried fruits and nuts, bringing the typical flavor of Central Asian cuisine.
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| Guests experience the custom of breaking eggs at the Novruz Bayram Festival. (Photo: An Le) |
Cultural bridge between countries
Considered a day of equality, unity, understanding, friendship, tolerance, respect, peace and welfare, Novruz Bayram is also celebrated in many countries in the region such as Türkiye, Serbia, Pakistan...
In Vietnam, this is the second consecutive year the festival has been held at HCCT with the aim of international exchange and creating opportunities for cultural connection between countries.
In particular, this year's festival also has the participation of many of the world's leading culinary experts such as Mr. Don David - Vice President of the World BBQ Association, Ms. Adrijana Alacki - President of Gastromak, Mr. Djordje Kostic - Honorary Lifetime Member of Worldchefs, Mr. Suleyman Kursak - President of the Denizli Young Chefs Association, Türkiye and Mr. Alan Payen - Senior Member of the Emirates Cuisine Guild, Worldchefs International Jury.
The event brought a unique cultural space, helping attendees better understand the customs and practices of Azerbaijan.
Here, HCCT Principal Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Azerbaijan Ambassador Shovgi Mehdizada, Kazakhstan Ambassador Kanat Tumysh, Türkiye Ambassador Korhan Kemik and international chefs participated in the egg-breaking game and fire-lighting ceremony.
In addition to traditional ceremonies, chef Don David and the world's leading culinary experts brought guests typical dishes of the holiday, including Novruz Plov.
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| HCCT Principal Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Azerbaijani Ambassador Shovgi Mehdizada, Kazakhstani Ambassador Kanat Tumysh and guests participated in the torch lighting ceremony. (Photo: An Le) |
In the warm atmosphere of campfire and food, the performances were enthusiastically performed by Vietnamese alumni who studied in Azerbaijan and HCCT students.
Sharing at the festival, Ambassador Shovgi Mehdizada expressed his joy that the festival was held in Vietnam, a place for old friends, international students, and friends who had lived and worked in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to meet again, chat, and recall past memories.
Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Principal of HCCT, also emphasized that continuing to organize festivals at the school is not only an opportunity for students and lecturers to experience international culture but also affirms the school's position in the field of tourism and culinary training.
She expressed her hope that HCCT will continue to expand cooperation with embassies and international organizations to bring more cultural exchange programs, creating conditions for students to access and learn from civilizations around the world.
Attending the festival, many students felt very excited to experience firsthand the traditional cultural beauty of Azerbaijan right in Vietnam.
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| Guests enjoyed Novruz Plov - "King of Dishes" at the event. (Photo: An Le) |
Excited to wear a traditional festival costume of a neighboring country, Doan Duc Tuan - a first-year student majoring in Business Administration at HCCT, shared with TGVN : "It is a pleasure that my school has the honor of organizing a meaningful cultural exchange event full of community spirit like the Novruz Bayram Festival.
By participating in the festival, I not only learned more about Azerbaijani culture but also interacted with and shared with international friends. These are valuable experiences that help me gain more knowledge for my studies at school."
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trai-nghiem-novruz-bayram-le-hoi-van-hoa-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-azerbaijan-tai-viet-nam-308193.html
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