The festive spirit fills the air everywhere

The Echo of the Highlands Blending with Coastal Colors

In the Phan Son commune, amid the solemn atmosphere of the communal House, the New Rice Festival was celebrated, with residents offering their gratitude to Heaven and Earth for the generous harvest and sharing their aspirations for a fruitful upcoming crop. The echoes from the mountains were accompanied by the Gong Club Festival of the K’ho and Churu communities in Ta Hine commune, a gong performance in Cam Ly ward, Da Lat, and the Ma ethnic folk festival in Cat Tien 3 commune. Each resonating beat of the gong within the open xoang circle painted a lively picture of spring, rich in cultural identity.

In the offshore Phu Quy special zone, the atmosphere grew vibrant with various meaningful events, including the Spring Flower Market and the “Peaceful Spring - A Joyful Tet” program, which showcased delightful artistic performances that brought New Year joy.

The traditional early-spring boat race invigorated the entire coastal region, embodying the spirit of unity and the resolve of fishermen to venture into the sea and steadfastly hold onto their maritime heritage. The oars cutting through the waves represented not just a competition but also a shared aspiration to embrace the sea and preserve their ancestors’ time-honored fishing traditions.

In the northern ethnic minority migrant communities, the Long Tong (Going to the Field) Festival was respectfully celebrated across Cat Tien 2, Quang Hoa, Nam Da, and Dak Sak. The ceremonial segment was carried out with great respect, featuring rites to honor the God of Agriculture and the Rice God, seeking blessings for good weather, plentiful harvests, and tranquil villages. The plowing ceremony and the initial sowing of seeds to commence the new farming season illustrated the people's faith and their profound connection to the land and sky.

The festive events were lively, with enthusiastic participation from young men and women of the Tay, Nung, Thai, and Mong ethnic groups in games such as con throwing, tug-of-war, rice-planting competitions, and offering-tray contests. Dressed in vibrant traditional clothing, the harmonious sounds of the Tay/Nung Tinh instrument were then followed by singing, Luon singing, Xoe dance, and Bamboo dance, showcasing a strong cultural heritage. The festival aimed not only to pray for a bountiful harvest but also to enhance unity among ethnic groups in this new community.

At communal houses along the coastal region, festivals at Dong An, Thuy Tu - Long Giang, Nghia Trung Tu, and others saw local people respectfully offering incense to commemorate their ancestors and pray for national peace and prosperity. These communal festivals are not only spiritual practices but also occasions to reconnect with traditions and educate younger generations about the moral principle of “When you drink water, remember the source.”

Showcasing the Beauty of Traditional Culture in the Colors of Spring

Early spring festivals provide a platform for folk games, traditional art forms, and the vibrant traditions of folk songs, dances, and music to showcase their beauty and assert their lasting vitality. Melodies from the three regions blend seamlessly with conventional musical instruments, giving festival attendees a feeling of reconnecting with their heritage. In addition, some songs celebrate the Party, Uncle Ho, the homeland in its stunning springtime, and the ever-evolving lives of the people.

In Da Lat, spring becomes even more radiant with the Cherry Blossom Festival and the program “Dream of Cherry Blossom in the Valley.” The cherry apricot blossoms bloom in full splendor, painting the streets pink and attracting visitors from everywhere. Spring fairs and art programs celebrating the Party and Spring take place vibrantly in Xuan Huong - Da Lat ward, Lam Vien - Da Lat ward, Nam Gia Nghia, Bac Gia Nghia, and Phan Thiet, creating a colorful spring panorama that harmoniously combines tradition and modernity.

Along with cultural festivals, sports activities are also held enthusiastically, such as the Cam Mountain Climbing Competition in Phu Quy, the Sand Dune Marathon in Mui Ne, the Boat Racing Competition in Bac Gia Nghia ward, boat races on the Ca Ty River, and volleyball, football, karate, pickleball, and Chinese chess tournaments in many communes and wards, attracting large numbers of participants.

Notably, the martial spirit is vividly expressed through the traditional wrestling festival in Tan Ha Lam Ha Commune. The pounding drums and resounding cheers fill the air whenever wrestlers step into the arena. Though fiercely competitive, the matches remain noble, as wrestlers demonstrate strength, endurance, determination, and courage.

This year, statistics show that the province hosted 241 activities focused on culture, art, sports, and tourism during the Tet holiday and spring festival season, with 220 at the commune level and 21 at the provincial level. Each boat race, wrestling match, resonating gong, and field-opening ceremony demonstrates the ongoing preservation, safeguarding, and promotion of national cultural values and traditional art forms in everyday life, enriching the joy and significance of spring in our homeland.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, the Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: “Spring festivals at the beginning of the year serve not only as spiritual and cultural events but also as opportunities for community bonding, fostering a love for our homeland, and maintaining our national identity. Our goal is to organize these festivals in a respectful, civilized, and secure manner, while connecting the preservation of heritage with sustainable tourism development. Every individual plays an important role as a proactive participant in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.”