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| A dancing performance at the village. — VNA/VNS Photo |
HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in suburban Hà Nội is staging a series of activities recreating the vibrant spring atmosphere, featuring traditional rituals, festivals, and customs of ethnic communities from January 5 to 31.
The events aim to celebrate Việt Nam’s diverse cultural identities, contribute to upholding traditional values, and foster exchange, solidarity, and mutual support among ethnic groups.
The centrepiece, dubbed Village Tết, will draw over 100 participants from 16 ethnic groups, including Nùng, Tày, Dao, Mông, Mường, Lào, Thái, Khơ Mú, Tà Ôi, Cơ Tu, Ba Na, Xơ Đăng, Gia Rai, Raglai, Ê Đê, and Khmer, representing 11 provinces and cities. A delegation of around 30 Thai ethnic members from Thanh Hóa Province will take part in dedicated activities on January 24–25, showcasing unique local cultural traits.
A key attraction is the Tết Comes to the Village event in the Thái ethnic village, where Thái participants from Thanh Hóa join northern ethnic communities in folk songs, performances, and rituals, fostering a warm setting for Tết (Lunar New Year) celebrations while reinforcing unity and commitment to cultural preservation.
Another highlight is the reenactment of the Chá Mùn Festival of Thanh Hóa’s black Thái community, a signature folk belief event. The rituals, inviting Pó Then deities, honouring shaman souls, recalling wandering spirits to cure illness, welcoming guests, and staging folk games, offer vivid insight into the group’s life philosophy, spiritual beliefs, and humanistic values.
Visitors can explore Tết traditions and join in preparing black sticky rice cakes, a distinctive specialty of Thanh Hóa’s Thái people. Made from aromatic black glutinous rice filled with mung beans and pork, wrapped in dong leaves, the dish symbolises wishes for bountiful harvests and a prosperous, fulfilling year.
From January 19 to 31, the ethnic villages opening daily will be festively decorated for Tết. Traditional houses will feature carefully arranged ancestral altars alongside portraits of President Hồ Chí Minh and national flags, while village gates, pathways, and folk-game zones will be brightly adorned, providing colourful backdrops for photos and immersive spring experiences.
On January 24 evening, the annual Reunion Meal gathering will bring together ethnic representatives who have lived and worked at the village over the past year. Participants will share cultural performances, bonfires, traditional dances, and music while exchanging wishes for a peaceful and joyful Lunar New Year.
Organisers said the village will host various spring festivals throughout January, particularly on weekends, including folk songs and dances from Central Highlands groups, reenactments of the Mường kitchen spirit worship ritual, and northern ethnic communities’ Return to the Village to Welcome Spring activities.
Visitors can also engage in hands-on experiences such as xòe and bamboo pole dancing, Then singing, gong performances, making bánh chưng, playing traditional games, tasting ethnic dishes, and learning handicrafts, weaving, and traditional instrument crafting. — VNA/VNS
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