‘Con’ throwing festival enhances friendship between Vietnam, Laos and China

The fourth ‘con’ (colourful fabric ball) throwing festival of border districts from Vietnam, Laos and China officially opened in Muong Te District, in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, on December 29.

An art performance at the opening ceremony of the festival
An art performance at the opening ceremony of the festival

Themed “Colours of Friendship”, the festival saw the participation of over 1,000 delegates, athletes and extras from Muong Te District (Lai Chau Province) and Muong Nhe Distrct (Dien Bien Province) in Vietnam; the Lao district of Nhot U in Phongsaly ; and the Chinese district of Jiangcheng in Yunnan Province.

The three-day festival features various vibrant activities, such as a mass art fest, a carnival, a street food festival, performances of traditional costumes from the localities, and pavilions introducing cultural and tourism products.

In addition, participants have joined in numerous folk games and sports such as crossbow shooting, stick pushing and tug-of-war.

This is the second time the annual event was held in Vietnam, aiming to enhance the exchanges and foreign cooperation among border districts of Vietnam, Laos and China, as well as to promote socio-economic development, defence and security.

The event also offered a good opportunity for Lai Chau Province’s ethnic minority groups to promote their traditional cultural identities to international friends.

Some selected photos from the festival:

The ‘con’ worshipping ceremony is an important ritual before the opening of the festival.

Following the worshipping ceremony, the participants’ wrists are tied with threads, which is believed to bring them luck.

A carnival highlighting the traditional cultural features of the localities.

The streets are decorated with colorful fabric balls.

The local people, wearing colourful clothes, participate in the festival.

The locals and visitors have the chance to join various cultural and art activities and folk games.