The 11th Swallow-Tail Boat Racing Festival of Mường Lay ward, associated with cultural, sports, and tourism activities in 2026, is the opening rendezvous of the new year, promising to leave a bold impression in the hearts of the people and tourists near and far.

Through many years of organization, the festival has become a characteristic cultural activity of the White Thai people at the river confluence. The swallow-tail boats gliding on the calm water surface are not merely a physical competition but also a reminder of the tight bond between people and the water, and the belief in deities protecting a peaceful life and lush crops. From that spiritual value, the festival has gradually expanded its meaning, becoming a bridge promoting the image of a poetic, friendly, and tradition-rich Mường Lay.

Continuing the success of previous seasons, the 11th Swallow-Tail Boat Racing Festival with the theme “Returning to the Đà river” is organized for three days, from January 2 - 4, 2026, in Mường Lay ward. The event is part of a series of activities welcoming the new year, demonstrating the aspiration for community connection, honoring cultural identity, and affirming the local water tourism development potential in the new stage.

The emotional highlight of this year’s festival is also created by the opening night with a unique art program, taking place on the evening of January 2, 2026, at the Cơ Khí boat landing area. When night falls by the Đà river, the festival space brightens up in the “Echoes of the Đà river” drum performance, opening a series of elaborately staged art performances, deeply imbued with the breath of the mountains and forests and the cultural identity of Mường Lay ethnic groups.

According to the Organizing Committee, the Art Program with the theme “Returning to the Đà river” also gathers about 80 actors who are grassroots cultural nuclei, students of schools, and Mường Lay High School, creating a multi-colored artistic picture. Singing and dancing performances are arranged in a seamless emotional flow, leading the audience through the beauty of the Northwest nature, community life, and the rising aspiration of Mường Lay people. From joyful inviting melodies, soft dances honoring the beauty of mountain girls, to performances recreating the cultural space of the Thai, Hmong, Tày people..., all blend to create a performance that is both solemn and intimate.

The focus of the festival remains sports activities associated with the water surface and specific terrain. The swallow-tail boat race takes place dramatically, attracting enthusiastic cheers from both riverbanks. Besides, tournaments for paragliding, jet surfing, Kayak racing, terrain bicycle racing, and tug of war... create a vibrant atmosphere throughout the festival days. Interspersed with modern sports is a series of familiar folk games such as con throwing, stick pushing, tó mák lẹ, bamboo dancing, cockfighting, and stilt walking, contributing to preserving the community life rhythm deeply imbued with indigenous quality.

Besides familiar activities that have made the brand, this year Mường Lay marks a new impression with the Terrain Bicycle Racing Tournament organized for the first time, opening an emotional conquering journey named “Green Mường Lay”. With a track of over 20km, the tournament gathers 150 athletes from 15 clubs of many provinces and cities across the country. The competition route starts from the Central Square of Mường Lay ward, along provincial Road 142, turning into Khoàng Văn Tấm Road, along the banks of the reservoir of Bắc village - Ổ village, continuing through the 12/12 Road Route, joining National Highway 12, overcoming challenging slopes on National Highway 6, then heading to Sá Tổng Junction, conquering the peak of Clavo Pass - the destination of the race.

Accompanying sports are cultural and tourism activities rich in identity. The cultural space of the Thai and Hmong ethnic groups is vividly recreated through costumes, musical instruments, labor tools, handicraft products, and traditional cuisine. Simulated stilt houses open up close experiences, helping visitors fully feel the living life of indigenous residents. The culinary contest, photo exhibition, and display of OCOP products and typical agricultural products will create additional attractive highlights, extending the stay of tourists in Mường Lay.

One of the special highlights of this year’s festival is the “Solidarity Dance by the Đà river” event aiming to set a record for the community connection performance by the Đà river with the largest number of participants in Vietnam. With the participation of about 10,000 people, from officers and soldiers of the armed forces to the people of villages and residential groups, the expanded xòe circle is like a vivid symbol of the spirit of solidarity, community bonding, and the enduring vitality of the Thai culture and the White Thai branch here.

Besides the meaning of setting a record, the “Solidarity Dance by the Đà river” also spreads the spirit of attachment through the proud participation of the local youth. In the extended xòe circle by the water, Lò Thị Thanh, Mo village, Mường Lay ward, shared: “As the young generation of Mường Lay ward, I want to contribute a part in the xòe dance by the Đà river. I really hope tourists from everywhere will come here to have fun and immerse themselves in the solidarity xòe dance of my hometown.”

The countdown to the opening day is very short. By this time, Mường Lay ward is ready to welcome guests from afar to join the festival joy. Preparation work from logistics, landscape embellishment, decoration to the arrangement of accommodation and culinary spaces is deployed thoughtfully and synchronously.

Sharing about the people’s preparation, Lù Thị Toản, owner of Mường Lay Homestay, Quan Chiên village, said: “These days, our people are very excited. Homestays have cleaned up, decorated houses, prepared blankets and mattresses, and kitchens have lit fires ready to process traditional dishes to welcome tourists. Mường Lay people are inherently hospitable, so we hope every tourist coming here feels the warmth and closeness like returning home.”

From the proactiveness of party committees and authorities to the consensus spirit of the people, the 11th Swallow-Tail Boat Racing Festival is opening a complete festive season, where tradition and modernity meet, and where culture is honored by vivid experiences. Amidst the gentle flow of the Đà river, Mường Lay is inviting tourists to join the early spring festival, to immerse themselves in the solidarity xòe dance, exciting races, and the warm hospitality of the people of the river region.