Ethnic spring festivals on show this month

Nhan Dan/VNA - An annual festival featuring the cultural colours of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and the traditions of their New Year celebrations will take place at the Culture Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Hanoi from February 15-17.

Image for illustration
Image for illustration

During the event, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visitors can take part in a wide range of cultural activities.

These will include a rite to pray for peace, favourable weather and good crops of the Lo Lo ethnic minority group in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang and a festival to welcome the New Year practiced by the Dao ethnic group in Hoanh Bo district of the northeastern province of Quang Ninh.

Additionally,  guests can enjoy the New Year celebration of the Thai people; the gong festival of the Muong people from northern Hoa Binh province; the husband-catching festival of the Chu Ru people in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong; and the rice planting festival of the B'rau in Kon Tum.

The highlight of the event will be a traditional New Year horse race of the H'Mong ethnic group in Bac Ha district in northern mountainous Lao Cai province.

The festival is expected to attract many tourists to the tourism village, located 40km west of Hanoi. It is also to honour the outstanding individuals who have made contributions to preserving and promoting the values of the country’s traditional cultures.