Metropole Hanoi Celebrates Tet with Old Quarter-style Market

The spirit of old Hanoi will sweep through the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi this month as the hotel celebrates Tet (Vietnamese lunar new year) with a traditional Old Quarter-style market from January 17 to 19. The festivities continue with special culinary offerings beginning January 24.

Experience Vietnamese culture like a local

Feel the festive atmosphere and culture of Hanoi as the most storied Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel captures the spirit of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its 1,000 year-history of commerce. The hotel’s open-air courtyard will be transformed into a bustling Hanoian market with a wide range of exciting activities. The ancient architecture of 36 streets will be clearly carved to every detail in the space of Metropole Hanoi. Every stop promises to bring you unexpected experiences with interesting activities and diverse products that serve the traditional Tet shopping needs.

At the Tet market, food vendors in the hotel’s patio will sell authentic Vietnamese favorites. The hotel will give children visitors traditional toys called to he, edible figurines made from glutinous rice powder shaped to look like flowers and animals. Market-goers can also learn the art of classic Vietnamese calligraphy at the Tet market.

Wine, craft beer and other refreshments will also be on offer. Souvenirs will be available for you to take home as memories of the Vietnamese lunar new year. Traditional-style Hanoi houses will also be erected in the hotel’s walkway outside La Boutique du Metropole, adding to the Old Quarter ambiance.

Metropole Hanoi Tet Market Program

The Tet market at Metropole Hanoi will be free of charge and open to the public. It will kick off on Friday, January 17 at 4PM with an opening ceremony featuring a traditional dragon dance. The market continues on January 18 and 19 from 11AM to 8PM. More than 15 vendors will take part in this year’s bazaar. Special Metropole Tet hampers with luxury and gourmet items will be available for sale at the market and at L’Epicerie du Metropole.

The hotel will host a cooking competition at the market at 5PM each day. Contestants will vie to create the most delicious chung cake (a traditional Vietnamese rice cake) on January 17, banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls) on January 18, and spring rolls on January 19. Winners will receive a voucher for a complimentary homemade cake from L’Epicerie du Metropole.

*Guest participates in Chung cake making with the artisan*

A Vietnamese floral specialist from local boutique Liti Florist will host a flower workshop on January 18 from 2PM to 4PM.

Metropole Hanoi will serve an exclusive six-course Tet 2020 Gala Dinner at Spices Garden on January 24. The dinner will feature grilled oysters with shallots and roasted peanuts; blue prawn in a mild coconut soup; fresh yellow bamboo and beef salad; braised chinh fish with green banana; grilled pigeon and foie gras; and banana fritter, traditional Tet candied fruits and vanilla ice cream. The gala dinner is priced at VND 2,500,000++ (around USD 108++).

Photo credit: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Facebook page