The theme of “Great Unity – Root of the Nation” has set the tone for activities throughout November at the Cultural – Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups (Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi).
Taking place from November 1 to 30, 2023, at the Cultural – Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups, the program under the theme “Great Unity – Root of the Nation” encompasses daily and weekend activities aimed at introducing the cultural aspects and customs of various ethnic communities. The goal is to create a destination that attracts tourists and contributes to enriching the activities during the “Great Unity of Ethnic Groups – Cultural Heritage of Vietnam” Week in 2023.
The regular activities of ethnic communities at the village include folk song and dance performances.
The November program “Great Unity – Root of the Nation” features several activities, including:
Activities in clusters of villages in the Northern Region along routes close to each other: Highlighting the cultural spaces of the Tay and Nung (Thai Nguyen), Mong (Ha Giang), and Dao (Ba Vi, Hanoi) ethnic groups, where visitors can experience distinctive folk cultural elements like Tinh instrument and Then singing of Tay and Nung ethnic groups, and the Khen dance of the Mong people. The favorable space allows for the organization of folk song and dance activities, as well as traditional folk games with interactive participation from tourists, such as tug-of-war, Pao throwing, stilts walking, and seesawing.
Activities in clusters of ethnic groups in the Northern Region in a shared area: Leveraging the strengths of the Thai and Kho Mu ethnic villages, considered sibling ethnic groups with close ties. The beautiful landscape and rich indigenous cultural traditions, including Thai dancing and Con throwing, and traditional dances of the Kho Mu people, alongside the unique traditional cuisines of both ethnic villages, promise an unforgettable experience. The meticulously crafted and unique traditional dishes prepared from natural ingredients include colorful sticky rice, steamed pork, grilled chicken, smoked buffalo meat, and sour bamboo shoots.
Gia Rai ethnic community showcases folk songs and dances.
In the vibrant cultural landscape of the Tay Nguyen region, the Gia Rai ethnic community takes center stage with a display of traditional musical instruments, folk songs, dances, and teachings on traditional ethnic instruments. These activities, intertwined with traditional folk games, foster connections between tourists and diverse ethnic communities, enhancing mutual exchange, learning, and unity for shared development.
Program highlights in the Southern village and spiritual belief centers: The Southern region witnesses a rich cultural showcase by ethnic groups, including the Khmer community from Soc Trang. The presentation encompasses the cultural heritage of Ro Bam art, Zom Vong and Lam Leu dances, traditional costumes, handicrafts, and the unique culinary delights of the Southwest region. This cultural spectacle is complemented by the spiritual beliefs at the Khmer Nam Tong pagoda and the Cham people’s temples.
M’nong ethnic artisan demonstrates weaving.
Cultural exchange program “Unity Song” by ethnic communities at the Village: Local ethnic communities actively engage in showcasing folk songs, dances, and traditional games, and introducing local products. The program promotes cultural and artistic exchanges and traditional folk arts.
Special Events from November 22-26, 2023: During this period, the village will host the “Great Unity of Ethnic Groups – Cultural Heritage of Vietnam” Week 2023. This week-long event will feature a festival showcasing the traditional Neu tree, fostering cultural exchange, sports, and tourism among the diverse ethnic communities of Vietnam for the second time in 2023. Within the framework of this event, there will be remarkable activities such as the introduction of cultural heritage from various provinces, an ethnic community exchange day, a photo exhibition titled “Colors of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups,” and the organization of the Kathina offering ceremony in 2023 at the Khmer pagoda complex.
Kathina offering ceremony
The Kathina offering ceremony is a unique annual ritual in Buddhism, dating back to the time of the Buddha. For devout Buddhists, this ceremony holds immense significance, symbolizing the generosity of followers in supporting the monastic community and bringing joy during the festive season. The ceremony serves as a reminder for all Buddhists, both monastic and lay, to cherish and appreciate the compassionate hearts of the faithful.
In addition to these events, daily and weekend activities organized by ethnic communities, experiential tourism programs, traditional baking demonstrations, folk games, and spiritual rituals at Khmer pagodas and Cham towers aim to introduce the cultural nuances and customs of various ethnic groups. This collective effort contributes to the cultural richness experienced at the “Common House” of the 54 ethnic communities of Vietnam.