"Celebrating Tet" on September 2nd - "brand" of the Northwest region

For more than half a century, ethnic minorities and people in the Northwest region have maintained a very special tradition, which is to “celebrate Tet” on September 2nd on the occasion of National Day. This tradition has gradually become a meaningful “custom”, a big festival in many localities.

Yen Bai: Many places "celebrate big" to celebrate National Day

Every year, on September 2nd, joining the atmosphere of celebrating National Day across the country, in many villages in the mountainous districts of Yen Bai province such as Van Yen, Van Chan, Mu Cang Chai, etc., people often organize a very big New Year celebration. In Thuong Bang La commune (Van Chan district, Yen Bai province), for many years now, people have had the tradition of preparing a feast to celebrate Independence Day on September 2nd for their children, relatives or loved ones from far away to come and reunite. According to the people in this commune, September 2nd is their biggest holiday of the year.

This type of cake is made by people in Van Chan district (Yen Bai province) to celebrate Independence Day.

In Van Yen district - a famous cinnamon growing area of ​​Yen Bai province, every year, on the occasion of National Day on September 2, thousands of people from all villages and communes on the right bank of the Red River temporarily put aside their daily production to flock to the town center to have fun, go to festivals, shop... From around the afternoon and evening of September 1, the town's neighborhoods began to be packed.

However, the largest and most vibrant Independence Day celebration in Yen Bai province is probably in the mountainous district of Mu Cang Chai.

Mong people in Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai province) go out to celebrate Tet on the occasion of National Day September 2. Photo: Archive

For more than a week now, preparations for the Independence Day on September 2 have been underway by local authorities. Along National Highway 32 from Khau Pha Pass, Ba Nha Bridge, Nga Ba Kim Town to the district town center, flags, posters, and slogans have been hung for many days to welcome National Day on September 2 and promote activities in a festival held for the first time in this district.

Mong people in Suoi Dam village (An Luong commune, Van Chan district, Yen Bai province) hang the national flag to celebrate Independence Day September 2, 2024. Photo: VC

According to Mr. Le Xuan Duong, Director of the Mu Cang Chai District Culture and Communication Center, after the activities on the occasion of National Day September 2, there will be 2 events held here: "Golden Season Festival 2024" and "Shan Tra Festival" - held for the first time, opening on the evening of September 6. The highlight of the event is the art program with the theme "Shan Tra Legend", along with street performances by 6 troupes, performing folk dances of the Mong and Thai ethnic groups; vehicles carrying models of hawthorn fruits (apple) and products processed from this tree.

The cultural program on the evening of August 31st kicked off a series of events celebrating Independence Day in Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai). Photo: YEN BAI NEWSPAPER

People in Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai province) celebrate National Day September 2

Also on this occasion, Mu Cang Chai district will announce the decision of the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) to recognize the district's festivals such as: "Golden Season Festival", "Flying over the scenic area" paragliding festival, "Banh Day pounding festival" and the decision to recognize Vietnamese heritage trees.

Lai Chau: Tradition is elevated to a brand

Meanwhile, in Lai Chau province, the atmosphere to celebrate Independence Day is equally exciting. The focal point is Than Uyen district.

Rehearsal for the 2024 Independence Day festival in Than Uyen district (Lai Chau province) with an expected 3,000 people participating in the xoe dance performance. Photo: LAI CHAU NEWSPAPER

Since the late 1950s, every September 2nd National Day, ethnic minorities in Than Uyen District (Lai Chau Province) have been excitedly gathering in the district town to celebrate Independence Day. Despite difficult traffic conditions and long distances, for decades, every September 2nd National Day, people from all over the district have eagerly descended the mountain from the previous afternoon to welcome the Tet atmosphere on the morning of September 2nd.

Over the years, Independence Day in Than Uyen district has not only attracted people in the district but also from many neighboring provinces such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Son La and tourists from all over the country and abroad.

According to information from Than Uyen district, originating from the tradition of celebrating Independence Day that has been maintained for decades by the local Mong ethnic people, in 2012, this district was selected by Lai Chau province and directed to organize a model of Independence Day celebration. That year, the theme of Independence Day was “The Mong people thank the Party”. Since then, Independence Day has become a cultural brand not only of the district, of Lai Chau province but also of the entire Northwest region.

Mong ethnic people in Than Uyen district (Lai Chau province) perform the Khen dance in the 2023 Independence Day program. Photo: Archive

From 2023, Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee has decided to raise the level of organizing Independence Day 2-9 in Than Uyen district to the provincial level, aiming to build and develop Independence Day into an attractive, unique cultural tourism product and a brand of Lai Chau province.

This year is the second year that the 2024 Independence Day in Than Uyen district is organized by Lai Chau province on a large provincial scale, taking place from September 1 to September 3.

The Independence Day Run took place on August 31 in Than Uyen district (Lai Chau province).

According to SGGP reporters, this year, the Independence Day in Lai Chau province is organized in conjunction with the Lai Chau Tourism and Culture Week 2024, taking place over 4 days (from August 31 to September 3). The opening ceremony with the theme "Returning to the majestic Lai Chau peaks" took place on the evening of August 31 at Than Uyen district stadium.

The traditional custom of celebrating Independence Day on September 2 is not only popular in Yen Bai and Lai Chau provinces but also spread to many other localities in the Northwest and the Northern mountainous region. In Son La, Dien Bien, Hoa Binh and Lao Cai provinces, people also organize activities to celebrate Independence Day with unique cultural features of each region. In addition, other localities such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Bac Kan also have their own festivals to celebrate National Day, creating a bustling and colorful atmosphere.

All of these localities contribute to enriching the traditional cultural picture of the Northwest and Northern mountainous regions of Vietnam, affirming the important significance of Independence Day in social life.

VAN PHUC

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/an-tet-dip-2-9-thuong-hieu-vung-tay-bac-post756727.html