For Hmông communities in Điện Biên, the khèn has become a cultural symbol, deeply woven into their spiritual and cultural life. Passed down through generations, its music continues to be preserved and handed on, connecting the community and helping define the distinctive identity of people in the highlands. As the 4th Hmông Ethnic Culture Festival approaches, the sound of the khèn rings out with renewed energy, reflecting the joy and anticipation of villagers looking forward to this major celebration.

In Tìa Ló village, Pu Nhi commune, excitement has filled the village in recent days. Familiar khèn melodies are being rehearsed with greater care, while dance movements are refined to ensure the best possible performances. The music shifts from deep, plaintive melodies to vigorous, spirited rhythms, accompanied by dancers moving in circles and stamping their feet with precision. Amid the mountain landscape, these sounds convey the Hmông people’s unpretentious, free-spirited character, evoking lively spring celebrations, communal gatherings and a rich cultural life. For the Hmông community in Tìa Ló, this year’s festival holds special significance: the village has been selected to host cultural experiences, offering visitors an opportunity to discover its natural beauty, customs and traditional way of life.

Chá A Mua, Head of Tìa Ló village, said residents were delighted when they learned about the cultural activities planned as part of the festival. They have been actively tidying their homes, cleaning village roads, preparing to welcome visitors and rehearsing traditional performances. Everyone hopes to contribute to a memorable experience for visitors, allowing them to appreciate the warmth, sincerity and hospitality of the local Hmông community.

“We hope visitors to Tìa Ló will have the chance to experience our way of life, listen to the khèn, watch khèn dancing and gain a deeper understanding of Hmông culture,” Chá A Mua said. “Through the festival, we also hope more people will come to know our village, creating further opportunities to develop community-based tourism and improve local livelihoods.”

The festive spirit is equally evident at rehearsals held by the Điện Biên provincial Art Troupe. Sixteen Hmông khèn dancers from Sính Phình and Mường Toong communes are working hard to prepare for the festival. Each brings melodies and performance techniques honed over many years of playing this traditional instrument. Hmông khèn dancing requires performers not only to master the instrument but also to have physical stamina, flexibility and the ability to coordinate their movements seamlessly with the music. As a result, even though the artisans are familiar with traditional melodies, they continue to devote considerable time to rehearsing and refining individual movements to ensure that every performance is polished and well synchronized.

AHmông the artisans taking part is Giàng A Tòng from Mường Toong commune, who is eager to perform before a large audience of visitors and fellow festival-goers. Having devoted years to the khèn and traditional dances, he sees every festival performance as another opportunity to showcase the beauty of his people’s culture.

“I have practiced very carefully so that I can give a good performance at the festival and introduce people to the beauty of Hmông khèn music and our ethnic culture,” Giàng A Tòng said. “I also hope to meet and exchange experiences with other artisans and performance groups, learn new melodies and techniques, and continue improving my skills while helping preserve Hmông khèn music in my community.”

Recognizing the festival as an important cultural event and an opportunity to introduce Điện Biên’s distinctive Hmông heritage to visitors from near and far, the Điện Biên provincial Art Troupe has proactively developed its program, selected representative performances and brought together artisans to take part. Rehearsals have been conducted with a strong emphasis on faithfully representing traditional cultural characteristics while making each performance engaging for audiences. Every artisan understands the responsibility that comes with participating in the festival: the melodies and dances they present also represent their homeland and its cultural heritage to the wider world.

Phạm Mạnh Cường, Head of the Điện Biên provincial Art Troupe, said: “We have choreographed khèn dances rooted in the cultural life of Hmông communities and recreated several traditional rituals, including an exorcism ritual, as well as cultural activities associated with festivals and the Lunar New Year. The artisans will also take part in other festival activities, helping create a lively atmosphere rich in cultural identity. Through each performance, we hope to convey the warmth and deep appreciation that the people of Điện Biên feel toward friends and visitors.”

The 4th Hmông Ethnic Culture Festival 2026 officially opens this evening, October 9, and runs through October 11. The sound of the Hmông khèn rings out across this grand celebration, carrying the pride of a cultural identity preserved through generations. In its evocative melodies are love for the homeland and the sincerity and hospitality of Điện Biên’s ethnic communities, all coming together in a heartfelt invitation to visitors from across the country and beyond to discover this historic land and share in a highland celebration rich in cultural traditions.