Photo caption: “Successfully holding the ‘National Great Unity Day’ at neighbourhoods is one of the key factors in helping consolidate and enhance the unity bloc, promote a sense of patriotism and personal endeavours as contributions to the local development achievements.” Mùa A Vàng - Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Member of Điện Biên Provincial Party Committee’s Standing Committee, Chairman of Điện Biên Province’s branch of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front

A Joyous Celebration for Everyone

In mid-November, the atmosphere in Lọng Luông 1 and 2 villages of Mường Phăng Commune, Điện Biên Phủ City, was particularly lively. This year, the two villages were selected as the venues for the National Great Unity Day celebration in the city.

Upon entering the villages, the spirit and enthusiasm of the residents were palpable. Banners and slogans were prominently displayed, while the roads were clean and well-maintained. The centre of the villages was adorned with the red flags of the nation. In the communal activity areas, people dressed in their finest, chatting, laughing, and eagerly calling one another to participate in cultural performances and traditional folk games.

Photo caption: “Now with prosperous and happy life, the villagers are even more trusting in the policy and the directions of the Party’s directions and State’s policies and laws.”

Lọng Luông 1 and 2 villages are home to 115 households with 621 residents, including a Protestant community with 18 households and 93 believers. The National Great Unity Day not only strengthens communal bonds but also provides an occassion for sharing experiences in production, livestock farming, and economic development.

The happiest news we heard during the celebration was that the two villages no longer have households classified as in poverty and near-poverty.

About 30km from the centre of Mường Chà District, Sá Ninh Village in Sá Tổng Commune was also brimming with the spirit of unity in recent days. In preparation for the event, villagers have rearranged their schedules, tending to family and farm work earlier than usual so they can join in the celebrations. Women practiced traditional cultural performances, singing and dancing to showcase their ethnic identity, while young men prepared folk dances, such as the khèn dance.

Photo caption: In the heart and mind of the ethnic groups in Điện Biên, the National Great Unity Day is the occasion to affirm and consolidate the community cohesion that makes up the national unity bloc.

Putting aside her farm work, Mùa Thị Di from Sá Ninh village rose early, finishing her daily tasks quickly to don her most beautiful traditional costume and join the festivities. "Participating in the celebration, we get to enjoy cultural performances, folk games, and traditional dishes like mèn mén (steamed cornmeal), thắng cố (horse meat soup), corn wine, and bamboo shoot soup. Now with prosperous and happy life, we are even more trusting in the policy and the directions of the Party’s directions and State’s policies and laws,” shared Mùa Thị Di.

As we departed Sá Ninh Village, the sounds of khèn flutes and panpipes echoed through the mountains. Beyond the cultural performances, folk games, and shared meals, the unity celebration deepened community bonds and reaffirmed the collective commitment to improving family livelihoods, eliminating poverty, and building thriving, vibrant villages.

Strengthening the Power of Unity

For the Thai, Mông, Kinh, Khơ Mú, Dao, Hà Nhì, and other ethnic groups in Điện Biên, the National Great Unity Day is a time to affirm and strengthen community ties at the grassroots level, creating a unified and cohesive collective spirit.

Photo caption: To date, 100% per cent of the households in Nọng Luông 1 and 2 have escaped poverty. This showcases the strength of unity of the people in the two villages, overcoming all challenges to develop their villages more and more.

Lò Văn Tâm, Chairman of Mường Phăng District branch of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front

Na Ư Village in Na Ư Commune, Điện Biên District, is home to 120 households and 581 residents of the Mông ethnic group. Despite the challenges of being in a remote border area, the spirit of unity remains strong among the local community.

In 2024, the village mobilised residents to contribute VNĐ3.2 million to the "For the Poor" fund, VNĐ1.7 million to support disaster victims, and VNĐ3 million to establish an education support fund. Residents also contributed over 100 workdays to help impoverished households build solidarity homes.

Though the contributions may seem modest, they reflect the deep sense of mutual support and solidarity among the people of Na Ư. Currently, the village’s poverty rate stands at 30.8%, with 75% of households recognised as cultural families. Na Ư village has also been awarded the title of cultural village at the district level.

Điện Biên Province comprises 129 communes, wards, and towns, with over 1,440 villages and residential groups. Nineteen ethnic groups coexist here. According to the provincial Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee, from November 1 until November 18 every year, 100% of residential areas across the province organise the National Great Unity Day with various lively and meaningful activities. These include visiting, gifting, and supporting disadvantaged families, as well as cleaning and beautifying their living environment. Additionally, sports games and cultural exchanges are held to promote the spirit of unity among all people.