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

  • '“Racing against time” on many projects in Điện Biên

    “Racing against time” on many projects in Điện Biên

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - With less than two months remaining before the district-level administrative units officially cease operations according to the administrative reorganization plan, this period is crucial for local authorities to complete unfinished tasks, accelerate project progress, and resolve any remaining issues, particularly in the area of basic construction investment.
  • 'Markets in Điện Biên struggle despite large investment

    Markets in Điện Biên struggle despite large investment

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP -  As a mountainous border province, Điện Biên relies heavily on its local market system, especially in rural areas, as vital hubs for trade and daily goods exchange. These markets play a crucial role in stimulating production, expanding services, and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. However, the current management, utilization, and development of rural markets still face numerous challenges that need to be addressed.
  • 'Điện Biên - A destination for compassionate hearts

    Điện Biên - A destination for compassionate hearts

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As a borderland at the far west of the country, historically known for its monumental victories, Điện Biên still faces numerous challenges today. With its complex mountainous terrain, many remote and isolated communes and villages lack essential infrastructure, education facilities, and economic development opportunities. With a spirit of sharing, Điện Biên has become a destination for charitable journeys and compassionate hearts.
  • 'Điện Biên’s education sector towards Party congresses

    Điện Biên’s education sector towards Party congresses

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In preparation for the Party Congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, the education and training sector of Điện Biên province is actively implementing many vibrant and practical emulation movements. These activities not only create a joyful atmosphere across the sector but also contribute to improving educational quality and building a positive, disciplined, and friendly learning environment.
  • 'The home of special children

    The home of special children

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - For many years, the Điện Biên provincial Center for Inclusive Education Development has become a second home for special children, those born with physical or intellectual disabilities. With unconditional love, dedication, and patience, the teachers at the center have helped many children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and other conditions receive timely intervention, opening the door to community integration alongside their peers.
  • 'Efforts to ease inventory pressure

    Efforts to ease inventory pressure

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Industrial production plays a crucial role in driving GDP growth in Điện Biên province. While the province’s industrial production index has shown consistent positive growth in recent years, the sector still faces several challenges. Chief among them is the persistently high inventory levels, which are exerting pressure on production and consumption activities.
  • 'A Pa Chải Flagpole - A highlight for tourism in Mường Nhé

    A Pa Chải Flagpole - A highlight for tourism in Mường Nhé

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7, 1954-2025), Điện Biên province solemnly held a flag raising ceremony and inaugurated the A Pa Chải Flagpole (Sín Thầu commune, Mường Nhé district). This meaningful structure is not only of great historical significance but also a sacred symbol affirming Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty at the border junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China.
  • 'Mường Lay’s stilt houses help develop tourism

    Mường Lay’s stilt houses help develop tourism

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - The stilt house, a distinctive architectural feature of the Thái ethnic minority group in Vietnam’s northwest, stands as a cultural emblem deeply rooted in tradition. Recently, Mường Lay town, Điện Biên province was honored with a national record: “The town with the highest density of traditional stilt houses of the white Thái ethnic group in Vietnam”. For generations, the white Thái community in Mường Lay has preserved these wooden stilt houses not only as homes but as sacred cultural symbols.
  • 'Disease prevention in seasonal transition period

    Disease prevention in seasonal transition period

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - During seasonal transitions, especially the onset of summer with rising temperatures and humid, rainy conditions, the environment becomes favorable for viruses and bacteria to thrive. In response to the heightened risk of infectious disease outbreaks, authorities in Điện Biên province have proactively implemented multiple disease prevention measures at the grassroots level to prevent potential outbreaks and community transmission.
  • 'Clean water reaches mountainous areas of Nậm Pồ

    Clean water reaches mountainous areas of Nậm Pồ

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the remote areas of Nậm Pồ mountainous district in Điện Biên province, rugged terrain and scattered settlements make access to clean water a persistent challenge. But thanks to continued investment from the Party and State, a growing network of well-built, centralized water systems is now helping local communities access safe, hygienic water for daily use.
  • 'Spreading the movement of voluntarily leaving poverty list

    Spreading the movement of voluntarily leaving poverty list

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, a growing movement has been spreading throughout the upland villages of Điện Biên province: poor and near-poor households voluntarily writing petitions to be removed from the poverty list. More and more people are choosing to rise out of poverty through their own efforts, no longer relying passively on State support policies.