Bun Huột Nặm water festival celebrated in Điện Biên

ĐBP - Many traditional and entertaining activities were organised during the annual Bun Huột Nặm of Water Festival during the weekend in Điện Biên District, Điện Biên Phủ Province.

Local artists perform music and dance at the 2024 Bun Huột Nặm Festival. VNS Photos Thu Phương

The two-day event, held at the Na Sang 1 Village in Núa Ngam Commune, is one of the most important traditional holidays and festivals of the Vietnamese Lào people when everyone gathered and welcomed the New Year.

During the event, people worshiped for good rain and wind and abundant crops. They prayed for all things grow and develop well and to wash away the bad luck of the old year and enter the new year with good luck for everyone, families and the community.

Bun Huột Nặm was also an opportunity for villagers to take part in folk games, perform traditional dances and especially join the amazing moments of water splashing.

The Lào people hold rituals to pray for good luck and water.

Splashing water on others symbolises the cleansing of all bad things, including diseases and the welcome of a thriving and healthy New Year. The wetter a person becomes, the more luck and happiness they will receive.

This year's festival included other activities such as worshiping, praying, tying thread on wrist to pray for good luck; lăm vông (circle dance) performance, knocking door to door asking for water; worship the gods of river and stream; and bathing in a stream, among others.

At the festival, there was also a space to display and promote cultural and tourism products, handicraft items, agricultural and OCOP products and local typical ethnic cuisine.

People enjoy water splashing during the Bun Huột Nặm in Na Sang 1 Village, Điện Biên District's Núa Ngam Commune.

At the same time, local people and visitors could also admire an exhibit of items associated with the traditional culture, daily life and community activities of the Lào people in Núa Ngam Commune.

The April 13-14 festival also included a music and dance programme with unique performances imbued with ethnic minority culture by artistic clubs from villages and hamlets in Núa Ngam Commune, units and communes in Điện Biên District, native home of the Lào ethnic residents.

Article and Photos: Thu Phương
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Spreading military-civilian bond

    Spreading military-civilian bond

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Amidst the biting cold of the far western border, the warmth of human kindness and the military-civilian bond radiates from the program “Spring at the Frontier and Islands - Warm Military-Civilian Tết.” This initiative has woven an early spring filled with gratitude and hope.
  • 'When regular soldiers go to communes

    When regular soldiers go to communes

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The implementation of the two-tier local government model has created deep, direct impacts on local military and defense tasks, setting new requirements for the Điện Biên provincial military forces to enhance the effectiveness of leadership and task organization.
  • 'Bustling market for flowers and ornamental plants for Tết

    Bustling market for flowers and ornamental plants for Tết

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - In recent days, the flower and ornamental plant market for the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tết) in Điện Biên province has become lively with diverse species, ranging from traditional flowers to shaped ornamental trees and bonsai, meeting the shopping and decoration needs of the people.
  • 'From policy to practice: communes move on Resolution 11

    From policy to practice: communes move on Resolution 11

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Resolution No.11-NQ/TU, issued on December 31, 2025 by the Executive Board of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee on restructuring the agricultural sector, makes clear: commune-level authorities are the direct implementers and play a decisive role; enterprises, cooperatives and farmers are the key development actors; and the State serves as facilitator, guiding and supporting the shift toward a concentrated, green, smart and sustainable commodity-based agriculture for 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035.
  • 'Promoting election dissemination in border areas

    Promoting election dissemination in border areas

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - During these days, as confidence spreads from the success of the 14th National Party Congress, the atmosphere of preparation for the election of delegates to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026 - 2031 term is bustling throughout the border areas.
  • 'Building green lifestyle

    Building green lifestyle

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Faced with challenges from climate change, air pollution, and water scarcity that directly affect production and daily life, building a green lifestyle has become an inevitable trend.
  • 'Điện Biên targets high-tech agricultural development

    Điện Biên targets high-tech agricultural development

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - With the goal of developing 50,000 hectares of cultivation areas equipped with digital databases and managed via digital technology by 2030, including 300 hectares specifically for high-tech applications in smart agricultural production, Điện Biên is steadily forming a modern agricultural sector.
  • 'Tết of border guards at Huổi Máy border point

    Tết of border guards at Huổi Máy border point

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - During the days leading up to the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tết), as many families gather for reunions, border guards at the westernmost frontier of the country remain steadfast at their posts to protect every stretch of the border and every landmark.
  • 'The momentum from emulation

    The momentum from emulation

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Following the success of the 15th provincial Party Congress and the 14th National Party Congress, Điện Biên has witnessed a vibrant and widespread emulation atmosphere throughout the political system and among all classes of people.
  • 'Ensuring food safety in school meals to protect students’ health

    Ensuring food safety in school meals to protect students’ health

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - School meals play a vital role in students’ physical and mental development. Aware of this, the Điện Biên provincial Department of Education and Training has tightened control over food supplies, organized scientific and safe food preparation at collective kitchens, and ensured adequate nutrition to prevent food safety risks and create a healthy, secure learning environment for students.