Mountainous region beauty display in Điện Biên festival

ĐBP - Local residents and tourists these days have been immersing themselves in the lyrics of the traditional music and folk dance of Xòe Thái at the Mountainous Cultural Space event, an activity to commemorate the National Tourism Year-Điện Biên and the Ban Flower Festival in Điện Biên Province.

The Mountainous Cultural Space event is set up near the General De Castríes' bunker in Điện Biên Phủ City. Photos courtesy of the organisers

Spring is great time for them to discover and experience the typical customs and cultural values of different ethnic peoples along with the mountainous area's stunning beauty of the nature.

Tourists are interested in learning to make traditional patterns from beewax of the Mông in Tủa Chùa District.

There were 11 cultural spaces of various districts, towns and the Điện Biên Provincial Museum. Each unit focused on a festival of a typical ethnic group. For example, Tủa Chùa District created a space imbued with Mông characteristics and imprints. Tuần Giáo District presented and promoted Kháng culture. Mường Nhé highlighted the Hà Nhì space. Mường Lay attracted tourists with white Thái culture.

Tourists and artists dance together in the Mường Ảng District's Khơ Mú cultural space.

Bùi Quang Lợi, a visitor from Thái Bình Province, was excited to learn to drum in tune with Xòe Thái dance rhythm at the Mường Chà District's cultural space. He then held hands with everyone around and joined in the dance. This was the first time Lợi went to Điện Biên and learnt about the culture of the Northwest mountainous people.

“The culture of the ethnic groups here is very unique. Each group has its own characteristics, the costumes are beautiful, the musical instruments and dances are also very special," Lợi said.

Traditional musical instruments are among the attractions of each cultural space.

"Therefore, each group's space is so attractive and inviting that I visit all to learn and experience everything. Unfortunately, our group's trip is short, the schedule does not include visits to mountainous districts. However, it was great that we are able to travel to Điện Biên on this special occasion. We have learnt a lot about the cultures of many different ethnic groups," he said.

Thai ethnic people of Mường Lay Town brings their gong culture to the festival.

Mường Ảng District's space was one of the highlights at the event. It was decorated with Khơ Mú cultural signature and appealed people's attraction with jubilant sounds of drums, gongs, cymbals, and bamboo pipes. 

“The Khơ Mú people are one of the four main ethnic groups in Mường Ảng. Coming to this festival, we built a no-front-railing traditional stilt house with one staircase, one main door and two stoves, recreating the entire living space of the Khơ Mú people," Nguyễn Thị Thanh, director of the district's Centre of Culture, Radio and Television, said.

"Along with that we present the traditional weaving profession that is different from other ethnic groups. Local artisans and troupes are invited here to perform folk songs, dances, and music to showcase to tourists. In particular, artists play live music on the spot."

Dao women in Nậm Pồ District practise traditional brocade embroidery.

The meticulous, thoughtful, careful preparation of the organisers brought out a great place where residents and visitors really enjoyed the festive environment and atmosphere, singing together and swinging to the dance.

The indigenous people played key role making the festival a great event. They came from remote villages to perform and recreate daily life, meanwhile introduced and highlighted the beauty of their ethnic culture to visitors.

Tourists try on traditional Mông people's corn grinding.

All districts' cultural space had its own irresistible charm. This is also the common point of the participating units -- recreating the peoples' traditional cultural values ​​-- housing models, performing folk songs, dance, handicrafts, unique culinary culture -- in most realistic settings.

Sùng A Páo, from Sính Phình Commune, Tủa Chùa District, was one of the Mông artisans participating in the festival.

“My fellow artists and I enjoy playing the Mông pipe and danced to the tunes. We sometimes perform solo or sometimes in duo or trio," Páo said.

Emeritus Artisan Pờ Dần Sinh introduces visitors about the traditional house space of the Hà Nhì ethnic group who live in Sín Thầu Commune, Mường Nhé District.

"I don't remember how many performances I do each day. Even though we are sometimes tired, we are very happy to see many people visiting the cultural space, being interested and curious about the instrument and wanting to hear the sound of the flute. We are always glad to perform."

Lao ethnic women perform their traditional dances to public.

The mountainous cultural space event, on March 16-18, has brought rich and exciting experiences to visitors, bringing the typical and unique cultural beauty of Điện Biên closer to local and international friends.

Article, photos: Nguyễn Hiền
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Taking citizen satisfaction as yardstick

    Taking citizen satisfaction as yardstick

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Following more than one year of operating the two-tier local government model, the governance picture in Điện Biên is gradually taking shape toward a more streamlined, unified, and efficient direction. From major central guidelines to grassroots-level reality, the new model has created clear transformations in organizational apparatus, operational methods, administrative reform, and the quality of public service delivery.
  • 'Promoting credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026

    Promoting credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - On July 31, Lê Thành Đô, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council, alongside Lê Văn Lương, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, co-chaired a working conference between the provincial People’s Committee and the banking sector on accelerating credit growth to serve socio-economic development in 2026.
  • 'Where troops serve, communities thrive

    Where troops serve, communities thrive

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - A vibrant atmosphere of community service has spread across many localities in Điện Biên province as officers and soldiers of Regiment 82, Division 355, Military Region 2, joined local Party committees, authorities, and residents in field exercises combined with community outreach activities. Roads have been improved, irrigation canals cleared, and rural landscapes made cleaner and more attractive, further reinforcing the cherished image of “Uncle Hồ’s soldiers” in the hearts of the people.
  • 'Initiatives made from sacred task performance

    Initiatives made from sacred task performance

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên, a land marking so many heroic feats of the nation, continues to execute a sacred journey of gratitude: Rediscovering the identities of heroic martyrs. The 500-Day-and-Night Campaign is being deployed urgently with the highest determination from the entire political system.
  • 'Keeping essential goods flowing through rainy season

    Keeping essential goods flowing through rainy season

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - During the rainy season, landslides and transport disruptions remain a constant threat in many mountainous areas. Alongside disaster preparedness efforts, government agencies and businesses have proactively developed plans to stockpile and distribute essential goods tailored to local terrain and the practical needs of communities at risk of being isolated.
  • 'AI robot - “Digital assistant” elevating service quality for citizens

    AI robot - “Digital assistant” elevating service quality for citizens

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - At the Public Administrative Service Center of Điện Biên Phủ ward, Điện Biên province, the presence of an AI receptionist robot is creating a new appearance in receiving and processing administrative procedures. Beyond assisting citizens with information lookup and guiding procedural workflows, the AI robot contributes to reducing pressure on civil servants, elevating work efficiency, and step-by-step materializing the goal of building a modern, professional administration.
  • 'Where smiles return

    Where smiles return

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - There are smiles that were once forgotten due to deprivation, loss, and laborious days. Yet within the shared home of the Điện Biên provincial General Social Protection Center, full meals, words of encouragement, and daily care are bringing back smiles to the faces of young children and those who once endured many disadvantages. There, sharing is given through simple deeds, giving each person renewed faith and motivation to live, study, and grow.
  • 'Smart technologies enhance reservoir and dam safety during rainy season

    Smart technologies enhance reservoir and dam safety during rainy season

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As increasingly frequent and intense rainfall driven by climate change poses greater risks, traditional manual monitoring of reservoirs and dams has revealed limitations in both accuracy and continuity. In response, Điện Biên province has begun integrating digital technologies into reservoir management and operations to strengthen early warning capabilities and better protect infrastructure, property, and human lives.
  • 'Trade unions listen to workers’ voices

    Trade unions listen to workers’ voices

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Beyond caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of union members and workers, trade unions at all levels across Điện Biên province are innovating their activities toward staying close to the grassroots, utilizing dialogue as a bridge to listen and accompany.
  • 'A journey of gratitude from heart

    A journey of gratitude from heart

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Across the entire country, the 500-day-and-night campaign to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of martyrs’ remains is being deployed as a special journey of gratitude.
  • 'Peace along border strip

    Peace along border strip

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Deep within the vast border forests, Sín Thầu commune holds a special position in managing and protecting territorial sovereignty and national border security.
  • 'Digital transformation reaches borderlands

    Digital transformation reaches borderlands

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In implementing Resolution No.57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, the Điện Biên Border Guard Command has launched the initiative “Border guard soldiers drive digital transformation”. The model serves as a practical response to the “Digital literacy for all” movement while promoting the pioneering role of young border guards in equipping officers, soldiers, and border residents with essential digital skills.