From April 30 to May 3, 2026, a series of cultural and tourism activities with the theme "Highland Rendezvous" will take place at the Village of Culture - Tourism of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups (Son Tay, Hanoi), gathering more than 100 artisans and people from 16 ethnic groups across the country.
The highlight of the program is the highland fair space with the theme "Lai Chau Colors", vividly recreating the daily life and trade of ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous region. About 40 booths are arranged, introducing local products, traditional cuisine and a craft experience space.
Here, visitors can directly participate in many activities such as pounding banh day, making banh, making traditional cakes, enjoying five-color sticky rice, highland banh cuon... At the same time, folk songs, folk dances, folk games such as spinning tops, throwing pao, ziplining, stick pushing are also organized throughout, creating a bustling atmosphere of the highland market fair.
Notably, the khen dance art of the Mong people is introduced and guided to experience, bringing opportunities to learn more deeply about the spiritual life and beliefs of the ethnic community.
Within the framework of the event, many traditional rituals are recreated such as the Forest God Worshiping Ceremony (Hau Doong) of the Giay ethnic group - a ritual to pray for harvests, protect forests and water sources; or the Buffalo Soul Worshiping Ceremony of the Lu ethnic group expressing gratitude to animals attached to agricultural production.
The space for displaying and experiencing Dong Ho folk paintings - an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection recognized by UNESCO - is also a highlight attracting tourists. About 30 typical works are introduced, along with experience activities of printing paintings and coloring under the guidance of artisans.
In addition to event activities, daily activities of the ethnic communities living in the Village are still maintained such as handicraft performances, culinary introductions, folk songs, folk dances... helping visitors have a more realistic perspective on cultural life at the "Common House" of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups.
The series of activities not only creates attractive destinations during holidays but also contributes to honoring, preserving and spreading the cultural heritage values of regions.
