First-ever festival for ethnic groups with population of less than 10,000 people: Thai Nguyen awarded Certificate of Merit

Pham Ngoc Chuan  15:56, 09/11/2023

Recently, in Lai Chau City, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the People's Committee of Lai Chau province, held the first festival of ethnic minority groups with population of less than 10,000. Attending the festival were the delegations of Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Nghe An, Quang Binh, and Kon Tum. 

An art performance of the Ngai ethnic group from Thai Nguyen.
An art performance of the Ngai ethnic group from Thai Nguyen.

With the theme "Preserving, promoting and spreading the traditional cultural identities of very few ethnic groups", the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Thai Nguyen Province has selected and formed a delegation to participate in the festival, consisting of 22 artisans and local people from the Ngai ethnic group (in Tam Thai group, Hoa Thuong town, Dong Hy district), and 30 students of the Ngai ethnic group studying at the Thai Nguyen Ethnic Minorities Boarding High School. 

The performance Looking at the Moon presented by the Ngai ethnic group students from the Thai Nguyen Ethnic Minorities Boarding High School at the Festival. 
The performance "Looking at the Moon" presented by the Ngai ethnic group students from the Thai Nguyen Ethnic Minorities Boarding High School at the festival. 

The delegation showcased and performed various cultural activities of the Ngai ethnic people, such as displaying traditional costumes, demonstrating the traditional craft of weaving bamboo and rattan, showcasing distinctive cuisine, participating in folk singing, ethnic music, and traditional sports. The activities of the delegation strongly reflected the cultural identity of the Ngai ethnic group, earning high praise from the Organizing Committee.

Artisan Tham A Chien (far left) introduces the traditional cuisine of the Ngai ethnic group in Thai Nguyen to the people and tourists during the Festival.
Artisan Tham A Chien (left) introduces the traditional cuisine of the Ngai ethnic group in Thai Nguyen to the people and tourists during the festival.

At the end of the festival, the Thai Nguyen delegation was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for its outstanding achievements in successfully organizing the event. Additionally, the delegation won the first prize at the art festival and secured the third prize for sports and culinary activities during the festival.

The second festival will be held in 2028 in Lao Cai province.