Tet rituals of Vietnamese ethnic people will be re-enacted

On the occasion of the New Year’s Eve 2021, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will hold a special cultural exchanged program, taking place from December 31 to January 3, 2021.

Ha Nhi ethnic group/ Photo: Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism

Themed "Spring in mountain markets”, the cultural village will be divided into different spaces, including the one for purchasing and exchanging goods   among ethnic groups, an entertainment space where folk performances and games are organized; and a culinary area which serves dishes and products of the Mong, Ha Nhi and Lu ethnic groups.

During the three days of this cultural festival, ethnic minorities groups will introduce their unique colorful festivals and rituals imbued with their identities to visitors.

The Lu ethnic people in Lai Chau province will re-enact the Cam Muong festival,  praying the Gods of river, mountain and stream for bumper crops and good lucks to all villagers. Lu people often lives along rivers and streams in the mountainous regions of the northern part of Vietnam. They have the custom of dyeing teeth black and learnt the technique of wet-rice cultivation for very long time ago.

The Ha Nhi ethnic minority in Dien Bien province will perform the customs of the 'Khu su cha’ Tet. This Tet ritual is usually celebrated by the Ha Nhi - La Mi ethnic people in the “dragon day” in the last month of the lunar year; meanwhile, the Ha Nhi- Co Cho organizes their own Tet three days earlier, on the “tiger day” of the same month.

Red Dao ethnic group in Sapa town/ Illustration photo

In addition to the spring market space, there is also a photo exhibition themed "Spring in mountain markets" showcasing beautiful landscapes and cultural traits of ethnic minority peoples in mountainous area of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Bac Kan; as well as some typical photos of the last festivals that were organized at Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

Especially, the organizing committee will introduce to the public the folk performing arts of Khen dance - the national intangible cultural heritage of the Mong ethnic group in Bac Kan province.

Some demonstrations for traditional craftsmanship performances of upland ethnic groups will also take place, including: the embroidery technique of Red Dao group in Bac Kan province; ‘Khan pieu’ or Pieu scarf embroidery technique of Thai ethnic people in Son La province; and traditional knitting craft of the ethnic groups from Lai Chau, Bac Kan, Dien Bien provinces.