Locking horns: Unicorn dance is one of the most typical cultural activities of the Chinese-Vietnamese (Hoa) people. — VNA/VNS Photo

A cross-culture festival highlighting the beauty of Chinese-Vietnamese traditions will animate the streets of HCM City, a city with a large population of people with Chinese ancestry, or the Hoa, for four days next month.

Handicraft artisans, artists and performers will take part in events hosted by both the Ministry of Culture and Information and the HCM City People’s Committee. Larger venues will be set up at 30-4 Park, but most small-scale shows will be scattered around the city.

Hoa artists from 25 cities and provinces will perform Chinese opera, as well as traditional and modern music throughout the cultural gala from February 28 to March 4.

In addition to the bright costume performances and peppy dragon dance, organisers cleared spaces for Chinese calligraphy and painting exhibitions. A photo collection showcasing portraits of people from each locality will also be included.

For a more interactive cultural experience, face painters and martial artists will demonstrate their skills for the public.

The community’s key festivals, such as the Mid-autumn festival, the Lunar New Year and the Mid-winter festival will be revitalised in short plays and extracts. The Nguyen Tieu (Mid-First Month of Lunar Year) festival celebration will commence at District 5’s culture centre on March 3.

For dynamic cuisine, patrons can saddle up next to Chinese food stalls for neverending dim sum and other dishes after a run at tug of war or strong man competitions, where competitors see who can carry the heaviest stones. The opening ceremony will be aired on VTV and HTV. — VNS