Which festival should I see?
1. Listen and read.
Peter: Hey, I'm visiting Viet Nam this spring. I really want to see a festival there.
Duong: Really? Well, how about the Hue Festival?
Peter: What's that? And when is it?
Duong: It's in April. There's lots to see - a grand opening ceremony, an ao dai fashion show, a Dem Phuong Dong or oriental night show, royal court music performances... and sporting activities like human chess, boat races...
Peter: Sounds great! How about festivals in February or March?
Duong: Well, there's the Tet holiday. Why don't you come for that?
Peter: Are you sure? But it's your family reunion.
Duong: Sure! Come and join the celebration. To welcome Tet, we prepare a five-fruit tray and make jam and chung cakes. It's hard to explain on the phone. Just come, you won't regret it.
Peter: Thanks, Duong!
Duong: Yes.... Then on the 12th day of the first lunar month I'll take you to Bac Ninh Province, which is north of Ha Noi, to see the Lim Festival.
Peter: Slow down, Duong! The 'What' festival?
Duong: Lim - there's traditional quan ho singing which is performed on dragon boats, and folk games like swinging on huge bamboo swings, wrestling…
a. Tick (✔) true (T) or false (F).
| Statements | T | F |
| 1. Peter will come to Viet Nam in spring. 2. Peter wants Duong to recommend somewhere to go. 3. Duong says that Peter should come to Hue and Da Nang. 4. Peter doesn't want to come to the Hue Festival. 5. Duong recommends Peter to see the Hue Festival, the Lim Festival, and to celebrate the Tet holiday with his family. |
b. Read the conversation again and answer the questions.
1. When is the Hue Festival held? What can visitors see there?
2. What does Duong's family do to welcome Tet?
3. Why does Duong say ‘It's hard to explain on the phone'?
4. Where and when is the Lim Festival held?
5. Why do you think Duong recommends the Lim Festival?
c. Can you find the following expressions in the conversation? Try to explain their meaning.
1. Why don't you come for that?
2. Sounds great!
3. You won't regret it.
4. Are you sure?
d. Work in pairs. Make short conversations with the four expressions in c.
Example:
- Why don't you come with us to the Lim Festival? You won't regret it.
- Sounds great!/ Are you sure?
2. Use the words from the box to label the pictures.
ceremony reunion performance carnival procession anniversary
3. Match the words with the pictures of festivals.
1. Do Son Buffalo- fighting Festival
2. Cow Racing Festival
3. Le Mat Snake Festival
4. Whale Festival
5. Elephant Race Festival
4. Match the festivals in 3 with their descriptions.
| Festival | Description |
| a. This is held in Don Village, Dak Lak Province. Elephants and their riders race to the sound of drums, gongs and the cheering crowds. | |
| b. This is held in An Giang Province. Each race includes two pairs of cows, and they are controlled by two young men. | |
| c. This is a traditional, buffalo-fighting ceremony to worship the Water God in Do Son, Hai Phong City. | |
| d. This is a festival to worship the whale and pray for the good fortune of the fishermen in Quang Nam. | |
| e. This festival uses a bamboo snake performance to retell the story of Le Mat Village. |
