This was announced at a press conference held in Hanoi on September 22.
The event is jointly held by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee, and the authorities of border localities of Vietnam and Laos.
Themed ‘Promoting Friendship – Looking forward to the Future’, the programme will attract the participation of artists and people from ethnic minorities in Vietnam’s 10 provinces of Dien Bien, Son La, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue and Kon Tum, as well as 10 Lao art troupes.
A wide range of activities will be staged during the programme, including sporting events, art performances, the introduction of traditional costumes and cultural practices, and exhibitions on the land, people, culture, and socio-economic development of participating localities.
Seminars on promoting tourism links between Vietnam – Laos border localities, farm trips to community-based tourist destinations, and visits to pay tribute to fallen soldiers at cemeteries in Dien Bien province, are also scheduled for the occasion.
The highlight of the festival will be the opening ceremony, which will be held on October 1, at the May 7 Square in Dien Bien Phu City. Themed ‘Forever shining Vietnam – Laos Friendship’, the ceremony will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television Channel 1.
