An event to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year attracted more than 1,500 people from the Vietnamese community in Taipei yesterday.
Held for the third consecutive year, the event, which took place in the auditorium of a Taipei high school, was organized jointly by the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (VECO), an NGO and a radio station.
More than 1,500 people, mostly Vietnamese, attended the event, while many others could only stand outside the auditorium because of limited seating, organizers said.
PHOTO: CNA
"It's a Vietnamese tradition for everybody to sing and dance together while celebrating the Lunar New Year," VECO Director Hoang Nhu Ly said. "We would like our fellow Vietnamese in Taiwan to enjoy this tradition while they're abroad."
"Vietnam and Taiwan share a lot of cultural similarities," Hoang added. "I hope the two countries can enhance their mutual understanding through events like this."
The event featured traditional dances from different regions of Vietnam, as well as talent shows by Vietnamese living in Taiwan. Most participants were guest workers from Vietnam and Vietnamese spouses married to Taiwanese.
Hoang estimated that more than 150,000 Vietnamese citizens were working and living in Taiwan.
In addition, a small number of Vietnamese students studying in Taiwan were present, said Bui Thi Huong, a resident from Vietnam who came to pursue studies.
Many participants wore traditional Vietnamese attire.
"This is fun, I'll come again [next year]," said Truong Thi Hoa, a guest worker who has been in Taiwan for two years. "I'm happy to see so many friends here, I also enjoy the music and dancing."
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