As spring fills the air, locals and tourists from all over gather at spring festival venues across Tủa Chùa to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of local ethnic minority groups.

For ethnic minority groups in Tủa Chùa, the days after Tết, from the 5th to 15th days of the first lunar month, are eagerly awaited. During this time, the spring travel activities of the ethnic communities, especially the Mông people, become bustling and vibrant.

Thousands flock to festival venues. “Ném pao” (ball throwing) is a folk game maintained by the Mông people during spring festivals, loved by everyone from children to the elderly. Depending on their age, participants choose partners to play with. “Nem pao” is how the Mông people express their affection for each other, with many young men and women hoping to find a soulmate through the game. As they toss the ball, conversations begin, and warm glances and smiles are exchanged. For those who are married or elderly, playing pao is a way to chat, catch up, and share everyday life experiences.

Mr. Sùng A Vảng from Tủa Thàng Commune shared that with the country’s socio-economic development, the lives of locals have been uplifted. During the Tết holiday, people from villages and neighboring communes come together to participate in traditional games. Despite his age, he still enjoys “ném pao,” an unique trait of his ethnic minority group.

To create a joyful atmosphere in the early days of the 2025 Lunar New Year of Ất Tỵ, the People’s Committee of Tủa Chùa District issued a plan directing communes and towns to organize spring festivals for people to enjoy, in line with the customs of the ethnic minority groups, ensuring safety and thriftiness. They offer opportunity for ethnic minority groups in the district to relax after a year of hard work, motivating them to enthusiastically engage in production and economic development in the new year. It is also a time to promote the cultural image, land, and people of the highland district of Tủa Chùa, rich in traditional ethnic culture, to numerous tourists.

Mr. Đặng Tiến Công, Deputy Head of the Division for Culture and Information of Tủa Chùa District, stated that spring festive activities not only help promote local tourism through traditional games such as “múa khèn” (panpipe dance) and goat fighting but also contribute to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups in Tủa Chùa.

At the spring festival in Huổi Só Commune, the Dao Làn Tẻn people, also known as Dao Quần Chẹt, living along the Đà River, gather at Huổi Lóng Village to celebrate the spring festival. From early morning, thousands of Dao people from Huổi Só and neighboring communes of Sìn Hồ District (Lai Châu Province) and Quỳnh Nhai District (Sơn La Province) gathered here. This unique festival took place at the Huổi Lóng riverside in Huổi Só Commune, passed down through generations despite the passage of time. Unlike other spring festivals in the district, the Huổi Lóng spring festival is held only on the 4th day of Tết annually.

Ms. Quàng Thị Hoa, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Huổi Só Commune, mentioned that the local authorities support the festival by installing sound systems for cultural performances and announcing game schedules and competition contents organized by the commune. Small stalls are set up by families around the venue to provide food and drinks for festivalgoers. Security, order, and environmental sanitation are also well-maintained.

In today’s era of integration and social development, the river section is filled with boats, while the riverbank is vibrant with the colorful attire of Dao Làn Tẻn women. Although not as bright as the clothing of the Mông or Thái people, it highlights the simple beauty of local girls. Many traders from afar also come here to buy and sell goods.

Ms. Phùng Thị Hồng Mảy from Tả Ngảo Commune, Sìn Hồ District, Lai Châu Province, shared that knowing women often buy fabric to make clothes on the 4th day of Tết, she comes here every year to serve their needs and always sells well.

To promote the cultural image, land, and people of highland Tủa Chùa celebrating spring with rich ethnic traditions to numerous tourists, and to meet the entertainment needs of locals, most of the 12 communes and town in the district have organized spring festival venues for cultural exchanges, folk games, and traditional sports competitions.

Visiting Tủa Chùa during the early days of spring, tourists not only immerse themselves in the natural mountainous scenery, admire the rocky plateau and magnificent caves but also have the chance to participate in many unique festivals of local ethnic minority groups.

Mr. Nguyễn Đình Huỳnh, a tourist from Điện Biên Phủ City, expressed that experiencing the spring festival atmosphere and the unique cultural space of the highland ethnic groups in Tủa Chùa left him with unforgettable impressions.

The activities in the Tủa Chùa spring festival series showcase the full essence of traditional culture and characteristic folk games of local ethnic groups, fostering solidarity, building trust between people and local authorities, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting the development of Tủa Chùa.

Written by Thanh Niên / Photo: Lan Phương