(VOVworld) – The Hanoi Memories program has attracted thousands of visits to the Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi on the first day of 2016. The old Hanoi space has been revived through photo and painting exhibitions, miniatures of old streets, houses, and trade guilds, architecture, flower and bonsai arts, Hanoi's cuisine, and shows of Hanoi's traditional costumes. Festival goers have an opportunity to play many kinds of children's folk games which have been fading in modern society. VOVworld brings you a glimpse of the festive atmosphere of the "Hanoi Memories" and how Hanoians are celebrating the first day of the Solar New year 2016.

Dragon dance is always the center of a New Year festival

The dragon is the symbol of power, loyalty, and prosperity. Dragon dance is to pray for good fortune in the new year.

Like the dragon dance, lion dance is most often seen in festive celebrations

Four dragons carry wishes of good health, prosperity, good fortune, happiness, and million matters as wished.

Old people attend a tea drinking demonstration at the festival.

While young men are competing in Chinese chess

Children have an opportunity to learn many old folk games that they rarely see today. Bamboo jacks is seen as a girl game which help the players improve their eye-hand coordination.

Paper masks and star-lanterns are popular toys at the Full-moon festival

Some girls are making grass-hoppers. It's a simple toy that children can make using natural materials around them.

Balancing dragonfly is a magic, attractive toy to both boys and girls. Even adults want to learn to make it by themselves.

Walking on sticks is a big challenge but it's easier with a helping hand

"To he" is a traditional toy for Vietnamese children which is made from glutinous rice dough in the form of edible figurine such as animals, flowers, or cartoon characters

Tug-of-war game attracts most players. The energetic atmosphere  inspires children and adults to engage in the games.

Vietnam’s folk game tug-of-war and its ritual was recognized as a multinational project for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO at the 10th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Namibia in December 2015.