Reviving Lào water splashing festival in Điện Biên

ĐBP - On April 11-12, Mường Luân commune in Điện Biên Đông district organized a revival of the Bun Huột Nặm water splashing festival of the Lào ethnic minority people after nearly 50 years of obscurity. The event featured various cultural and artistic activities, attracting a large number of locals and tourists.

The Bun Huột Nặm festival was previously held annually by the Lào community in Mường Luân. However, due to the impact of wartime, the festival lost its most important ritual and gradually disappeared around 1976. Recently, the Mường Luân commune People’s Committee has decided to revive this festival, which is one of the most distinctive and culturally rich celebrations of the Lào people.

Mường Luân commune, Điện Biên Đông district revives the Bun Huột Nặm Festival.

This year’s festival was held over two days, featuring both ceremonial and festive activities. The ceremony began with the bathing of Buddha, where locals would carry the Buddha statue to the Mã River and perform a ritual cleansing with fragrant water. After the statue was cleaned and returned to its sacred place, Lào people performed a worship ceremony to express gratitude to the gods and ancestors for the good weather, bountiful harvests, and good health.

Buddha bathing ceremony held on the Mã River.

After the ceremonial part, locals and visitors joined in various cultural and artistic activities rich in Lào people’s cultural identity. These included folk songs, the traditional “lăm vông” dance, and folk games such as Tó Má Lẹ, còn throwing (a game similar to shuttlecock tossing), “snake catches frog,” and “turtle laying eggs.”

Wrist-tying ritual for good luck.

The joyful and festive atmosphere unfolded at the foot of the ancient Mường Luân tower. Participants also took part in the traditional wrist-tying ritual to wish for good luck, and waded into the river to splash water on one another as a symbolic gesture of blessing and well-wishing.

Festivalgoers enjoy traditional folk games.

Although it was the first year the Bun Huột Nặm Festival was revived, the two-day event attracted a large number of visitors from both the district and the province. For the Lào ethnic group, the water-splashing festival carries deep cultural significance. At the same time, it symbolizes the cleansing of misfortunes from the past year, and expresses wishes for good luck, peace, and happiness in the new one. It is also a way to pray for favorable rain and abundant harvests.

Locals and tourists splash water on the Mã River to wish for good luck.
An Chi
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Several concerns raised about operation of new commune governments

    Several concerns raised about operation of new commune governments

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - More than two months after the launch of the two-tier local government model, commune and ward administrations in Điện Biên province have generally met the needs of citizens and businesses. However, this transitional stage remains challenging, with local governments facing heavy workloads, staffing mismatches, and infrastructure constraints. While the streamlined model promises efficiency and effectiveness, certain concerns remain.
  • 'Emulation spirit powers Điện Biên’s transformation

    Emulation spirit powers Điện Biên’s transformation

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The 6th Patriotic Emulation Congress of Điện Biên province, held from September 17-19, carried the theme: “Solidarity, promoting the heroic Điện Biên Phủ tradition, striving to build a fast and sustainable Điện Biên”. The message was clear: emulation is not just a slogan, it must be action.
  • 'Efforts to search for and identify remains of fallen soldiers

    Efforts to search for and identify remains of fallen soldiers

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Though the wars have long passed, the pain and the void left behind remain present in the families of fallen soldiers. On the historic land of Điện Biên, where the legendary victory once “resounded across five continents and shook the globe”, many graves have yet to be found or identified.
  • 'Điện Biên boosts construction of homes for people in disaster-affected areas

    Điện Biên boosts construction of homes for people in disaster-affected areas

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - With a spirit of urgency and determination to “overcome sun and rain,” officers and soldiers of the Điện Biên provincial Military Command are devoting their full efforts to the campaign “Thirty Days of Speed - Reaching the Finish Line.” Their commitment to the motto “For the People” is being translated into new homes for disaster-stricken families, giving them safe shelter and peace of mind to rebuild their lives.
  • 'Turning Resolution 71 into reality

    Turning Resolution 71 into reality

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Right after the Politburo issued Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on August 22, 2025, on breakthrough development in education and training, the education sector of Điện Biên province quickly took action with a spirit of initiative and determination. Instead of waiting for detailed guidelines, many schools rolled up their sleeves to transform the spirit of renewal in the Resolution into concrete actions, promising real change from the very start of the new school year.
  • 'Communities join hands to keep Điện Biên clean and green

    Communities join hands to keep Điện Biên clean and green

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, the movement to keep public spaces clean and improve the local landscape has spread widely across Điện Biên province, drawing strong participation from residents. The collective efforts of political and social organizations, together with each household’s sense of responsibility, have brought about clear improvements and contributed to building a cleaner, safer living environment.
  • 'Huổi Nhả develops community-based tourism

    Huổi Nhả develops community-based tourism

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Each season, the mountain villages present a different beauty, rustic yet poetic. Building and developing community-based tourism by harnessing natural landscapes and indigenous culture has become a path toward sustainable economic growth in many upland villages. Huổi Nhả village, Mường Pồn commune is one such example.
  • 'The People’s Court of Điện Biên province upholds its role in defending justice

    The People’s Court of Điện Biên province upholds its role in defending justice

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In the 80-year history of the People’s Court of Vietnam (September 13, 1945 - September 13, 2025), the People’s Court of Điện Biên province has carved out a proud chapter. Over its 62 years since establishment in 1963, from difficult beginnings, the provincial court has continually striven to overcome challenges, reform its organization, and improve the quality of adjudication, thereby upholding the rule of law, protecting justice, and preserving peace for the people.
  • 'Điện Biên gears up for 15th provincial Party Congress with lively publicity campaigns

    Điện Biên gears up for 15th provincial Party Congress with lively publicity campaigns

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In the run-up to the 15th Party Congress of Điện Biên province, agencies and sectors across the province are intensifying publicity efforts, creating a lively atmosphere of emulation while spreading trust and expectations among Party members and local people. Decoration, ceremonial arrangements, and visual propaganda are being carried out in a coordinated and solemn manner, reflecting high political determination and contributing to the success of the Congress.
  • 'A driving force for protecting special-use forests

    A driving force for protecting special-use forests

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Payment for forest environmental services (PFES) is a sound policy aimed at protecting headwater forests, maintaining ecosystems, and ensuring water resources for hydropower and tourism activities. In recent years, the Management Board of the Mường Nhé Nature Reserve has effectively implemented PFES, providing people with additional income, improving their living standards, and strengthening their commitment to forest protection and development.
  • 'Điện Biên fosters sustainable mineral exploitation

    Điện Biên fosters sustainable mineral exploitation

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - The exploitation of minerals for common construction materials in Điện Biên province still faces many shortcomings and limitations. Some enterprises have not fully complied with regulations on the environment, mine design, and technical infrastructure requirements. In response, functional agencies have promptly urged corrections, requiring enterprises to address violations and gradually complete necessary conditions to ensure legal, safe, and sustainable exploitation.
  • 'Multiplying exemplary models

    Multiplying exemplary models

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Responding to patriotic emulation movements, in recent years many exemplary collectives and individuals have emerged across various fields in Điện Biên province. Their good deeds and effective practices have spread, encouraging agencies, units, localities, organizations, and individuals to learn and follow.
  • 'Resolute implementation of electronic medical records

    Resolute implementation of electronic medical records

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As one of the first three medical facilities in the province selected for piloting, the Thanh An commune’s Medical Clinic has overcome numerous difficulties to successfully implement electronic medical records (EMRs). The system is now applied across the entire Center for both inpatients and outpatients, bringing positive results in medical examination and treatment while marking an important step forward in the digital transformation process.