Every spring, the Thèn Pả valley in Na Sang commune wears a vibrant new coat as the Xạ Phang people prepare for their traditional festival. Although they celebrate at the same time as the Tết holiday, the Xạ Phang community in Thèn Pả village maintains its own unique customs. The village becomes lively with the laughter of adults and children alike. Following tradition, families dedicate the first day of Tết to ancestral worship and wishing longevity to grandparents and parents. From the second day onward, residents leave their homes to visit relatives and friends, with everyone dressing in their finest attire for the spring outings.

Thàn Chấn Hóa, a resident of Thèn Pả village, mentions that women always wear traditional costumes during Tết. Families often prepare intricate outfits for their daughters with meticulously embroidered collars and sleeves, while sons wear neat clothes paired with eye-catching embroidered shoes. After a year of hard work in the fields, the holiday serves as a time for families to gather, play, and exchange the best wishes for the future.

Under the theme “Spring of Love,” the Na Sang commune spring festival has attracted a large number of residents and tourists this year. From early morning, the festival grounds have been filled with people dressed in colorful traditional attire. Lù Thị Thoản from Na Pheo 2 village and her peers busily prepare colorful cloth balls for the traditional ném còn game. She shares that every year, they eagerly prepare the most beautiful balls to send forth wishes for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and family happiness in the new year.

Nearby, cheers erupt as young men compete in the tù lu game. Lý Chú Ma, an elder from Co Đứa village, notes that since the festival is organized near National Highway 12, the turnout is quite high, providing a healthy playground for the youth and bringing joy to the elderly as they witness the village’s vibrancy. The festive spirit extends beyond the commune boundaries, drawing visitors like Lò Văn Bình, who traveled nearly 20km from Mường Pồn commune to join the activities. He expresses that after working far away all year, he looks forward to reuniting with family and friends and feels a deep sense of connection and warmth during the festival.

Visitors to the Điện Biên province highlands during the 2026 Lunar New Year can experience this lively atmosphere across every village. When the morning mist still lingers on the slopes, the sound of drums and khèn flutes calls the community to gather for celebrations steeped in traditional identity.

In many localities, spring festivals feature traditional folk games such as ném còn, tug-of-war, tó má lẹ, and tù lu. Cultural performances further highlight the season through graceful xòe dances and the melodies of flutes echoing amidst the forests. These highland celebrations create a healthy environment for community bonding while preserving and spreading beautiful cultural values.