From December 1, 2025 to January 4, 2026, a series of December activities themed “Welcome 2026” will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (Dong Mo, Hanoi). This annual cultural program introduces early-spring cultural traditions of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, recreating traditional regional festival spaces during the transition into the New Year.
Members of the Co Tu ethnic community perform the ritual of erecting the Neu tree. Illustrative photo
This year’s program features the participation of more than 100 artisans and community members representing 16 ethnic groups from 11 localities, along with additional delegations of Co Tu people from Da Nang and Kho Mu and Mong communities from Son La during peak periods. With a large scale and multiple experiential spaces, the program promises a vivid, authentic, and richly diverse cultural panorama for visitors.
The Go ro Tet festival of the Kho Mu ethnic group in Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province, held at the end of the year. (Photo: Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism)
One highlight is the highland market, a favorite attraction at the Village, with around 40 stalls showcasing local products, traditional cuisine, and beverage services. Visitors can experience demonstrations of Northern ethnic culinary knowledge, including colorful sticky rice and highland-style steamed rice rolls.
On weekends, visitors can take part in activities introducing folk games, traditional crafts, distinctive ethnic cuisines, and cultural exchanges through folk songs and dances with Northern ethnic communities and Central Highlands groups currently residing at the Village.
The folk music and dance program “Joyful Welcome to the New Year” recreates the festive spirit of New Year celebrations through performances expressing communal joy. Another notable feature is the presentation of the year-end family meal, highlighting reunion traditions. Hands-on cultural experiences are offered through traditional games such as o an quan, caro chess, and bamboo puppetry indoors, as well as stilt walking, bamboo dancing, swings, and seesaws in outdoor spaces.
The December activities themed “Welcome 2026” aim to introduce early-spring cultural practices through rituals, festivals, and customs, helping visitors gain deeper insight into the traditional and distinctive cultures of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. The program contributes to the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of ethnic cultural values, while strengthening interethnic exchange, solidarity, and mutual support in welcoming the New Year 2026.
Hoang Minh