Many traditional festivals in Cao Bang are still being preserved, preserved and promoted by local authorities and people as a way to protect traditional culture and gradually promote local tourism development.
According to the Cao Bang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the locality is a gathering place of many ethnic groups such as Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, San Chi, Lo Lo... contributing to creating a diverse cultural space. Traditional festivals of ethnic minorities are considered a source of nurturing identity and community cohesion.
The province has about 100 festivals, of which over 70 festivals take place annually, mainly in spring. Typical is the Long Tong Festival of the Tay and Nung people with the ritual of worshiping the agricultural gods to pray for favorable weather and bumper crops; after the ritual part is a bustling festival with tung con, tug-of-war, quay, Then singing, dan tinh...
Along with that are Nang Hai Festival - a legendary ritual to pray for a special harvest of the Tay people; Quang Uyen firecracker head painting festival, dragon dance, firecracker painting; Thanh Minh festival of the Nung An people commemorating their predecessors; Bao Lam bullfighting festival promoting animal husbandry; or Ky Sam festival commemorating General Nung Tri Cao.
In recent years, many traditional festivals have been organized methodically, becoming a highlight attracting tourists. Among them, Pac Bo Festival (Truong Ha) combines indigenous culture with revolutionary history, expressing gratitude to Uncle Ho's merits, attracting a large number of people to attend.
In Bao Lam, Bao Lac, highland festivals with brilliant costumes of ethnic minorities, the sound of khen and drums echoing in the mountains and forests also create a very unique attraction.
Cao Bang determines that festivals are not only cultural activities but also effective tourism promotion tools. Organizing safe and civilized festivals, associated with introducing craft village products, helps extend the length of stay of guests and enhance the value of experience.
Domestic visitors are impressed with the friendliness, intact rituals and folk games; while international visitors are excited about unique costumes and music. Indigenous cuisine is also an unforgettable attraction.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Minh (Hanoi) shared: "I am very impressed with the festival atmosphere in Cao Bang. People are friendly, and the rituals are kept intact.
And Mr. David Martin (British tourist) also appreciated the way people preserve traditions, creating a lively space.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, informed: The province identifies culture as the foundation, festivals as the highlight for sustainable tourism development. When harmoniously combining preservation and exploitation, festivals become a driving force to promote green economy. The vitality of festivals is not only in scale but also in the participation of the community.
Thanks to the concern of the government and people joining hands, many festivals are being restored more and more methodically. Festival culture not only nurtures the community's soul but is also a special attraction of the land at the forefront of the Fatherland.
