VietNamNet Bridge – The New Year festival of the ethnic H’mong group takes place in the first three days of the 12th month of the lunar calendar but the new-year atmosphere covers H’mong villages several weeks ago.

The New Year festival of H’mong people is one month before the lunar New Year in Vietnam.

The New Year festival is followed by the festival season which will last until the 15th day of the first lunar month.

The Hmong prepare very carefully for the New Year Festival. Women embroider new clothes. Children get together for play around the village while men purchase pigs and chickens.

The feast during the New Year Holiday of H’mong must have a banh day to offer to the ancestors and the God, so making banh day (rice cakes) is indispensable.

The Eve comes with the first crow in the village on the Eve night.

At this moment, family members sit around the fire to tell each other about stories of the family and the village and review events of the last year.

During the New Year holiday, H’mong men do all housework for their wives because they think that men are the head of the family.

In the morning of the first day of the new year, people dress well and gather at the village yard to play music and folk games.

The most beautiful clothes will be represented on this occasion.

The Hmong believe that luck will go with strange guests so they welcome guests very warmly.

VNE