This year’s festival brings together 35 competing teams showcasing diverse performance styles, ranging from folkloric and ethnic traditions set to customary melodies to mass collective dances emphasizing connection. Diversity in age groups, staging, and movement vocabulary formed a unique character for each performance.

On the morning of August 29, participating teams entered the first day of competition across two categories: Solidarity Dance (Múa kết đoàn) and Folk Dance (Múa dân gian). According to the Organizing Panel’s schedule, the solidarity dance category featured 19 registered teams on August 29, while the folk dance category listed 10 competing teams.

Confronting unfavorable weather and erratic rain, the Organizing Panel moved the venue to the provincial Gymnasium. This adjustment allowed teams greater ease during performances, ensured safety and artistic quality, and enabled spectators to follow the routines comfortably. From early on, seating tiers filled with enthusiastic spectators. Music, applause, and vibrant team costumes quickly animated the venue.

In the folk dance category under the theme “Source of Identity” (Mạch nguồn bản sắc), numerous teams drew upon traditional cultural material, paying close attention to costumes, musical accompaniment, props, and region-specific movements. Several routines were structured around narrative storylines, bringing the beauty of daily life, labor, and community living onto the stage.

Vương Ý Nhi from the Mường Then Dance Group, Điện Biên Phủ ward, shared: “Our team chose a piece rooted in traditional cultural materials, wishing through each movement to introduce our homeland’s beauty to the audience and fellow teams. What we appreciate most about the Festival is the opportunity to exchange, learn, and jointly preserve and spread cultural values through folk dance. Despite the venue shift due to weather, stepping onto the floor, every member was thrilled and strived to deliver our very best performance.”

While folk dance made its mark through cultural depth, the solidarity dance segment under the theme “In Step Together - Connecting the Community” brought a youthful, engaging ambiance. Large ensemble formations, vigorous movements, and lively tempos drew continuous rounds of cheering from the stands.

The competition roster featured numerous local clubs and troupes, such as the Golden Age Step Group of Điện Biên Phủ ward, Mường Thanh Xòe Team, Thái Mường Lay Cultural Preservation Club, Điện Biên Provincial Dance Sport Club, and several other units. The cross-generational presence, from young performers to middle-aged and senior members, embodied the community spirit at the core of the competition.

Phạm Thị Lê from the Red Flamboyant Group, Điện Biên Phủ ward, stated: “We rehearsed thoroughly to ensure synchronized movements and formations. For the solidarity segment, the most crucial element is collective spirit - everyone moving to a shared rhythm. Taking part in the Festival right here in Điện Biên and interacting with teams from within and outside the province has been a wonderful experience, providing added drive to maintain our grassroots dance movement.”

The tempo inside the arena heightened with each successive performance. Below, spectators watched intently, with many recording routines on smartphones. Following every concluded routine, applause echoed through the hall, fostering warm rapport between performers and spectators.

Trần Đức Khải from Thanh An commune remarked: “There was light rain this morning, but I arrived early to watch. Moving inside the Gymnasium made spectating very comfortable. The teams performed beautifully with varied costumes, each piece having its own charm. The atmosphere was lively, especially when the crowd clapped along to the music. I find this a very engaging event for this year’s holiday.”

Beyond grassroots enthusiasm, artistic quality was a notable highlight on day one. Many teams invested carefully in scripts, music, costumes, and choreography, demonstrating balanced technical execution. For Điện Biên teams, the key advantage lay in the rich cultural assets of local ethnic communities, notably traditional dances passed down and practiced in daily life.

Thái Thị Lan Hương from the Judging Panel of Folk Dance Festival 2026 stated: “Through today’s performances, teams presented rich cultural facets, demonstrating rigorous preparation and delivering impressive routines. In particular, Điện Biên teams drew effectively upon traditional cultural material, from xòe routines and folk melodies to distinct ethnic folk dances. Through this festival, we hope these values will continue to be preserved, renewed, and widely disseminated across the community, making folk dance an accessible cultural activity that attracts broad public participation.”

The first competition day wrapped up with diverse expressions sharing a unified spirit of exchange and connection. The weather-related venue adjustment did not dampen the festival’s momentum; instead, the provincial Gymnasium became a vibrant gathering hub of music, choreography, and spirited cheering.

On August 30, the schedule continues with the creative modern dance category, promising youthful, fresh performances that will further elevate the energy of Folk Dance Festival 2026 in the days ahead.