A series of activities celebrating the 73rd anniversary of National Day (September 2) will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism from August 31 to September 30, reported the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on August 27. 

The event – held at the site in Son Tay town, 40km from downtown, Hanoi - aims to honour and preserve the cultural identities of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups, increase exchanges amongst ethnic groups, and attract tourists during the holiday. 

Over 220 artists, students, and people from 13 ethnic groups will join the event, including Mong from Ha Giang, Kho Mu from Dien Bien, Thai from Son La, Tay from Thai Nguyen, Muong from Hoa Binh, Dao from Hanoi, Ta Oi and Ko Tu from Thua Thien-Hue, Xo Dang from Kon Tum, Raglai from Ninh Thuan, Ede from Dak Lak, Cham from Ninh Thuan, and Khmer from Soc Trang. 

One of the highlights of the event will be a market introducing specialties from the northern province of Lang Son such as roasted pork and duck, rice cakes, and horse intestines, as well as music and dance performances. 

In particular, the organising board will introduce the lion mask dance of the Nung ethnic group, a piece of national intangible cultural heritage, and the group’s wedding rituals to visitors. 

A Mong ethnic ceremony to relieve bad luck in Lang Son province will also be performed. 

The Ban Me coffee programme will feature coffee roasting and grinding at the Ede ethnic group village from August 31-September 3. Honey products and souvenirs from Buon Me Thuot and the Central Highlands will also be available. 

A space for children will offer folk games and local snacks such as peanut candy, boiled corn, glutinous rice cake, and dry pancake.–VNA