Unique Het Cha Festival of the White Thai

From early morning, the bustling sound of gongs and drums echoed throughout the region. People in colorful traditional costumes prepared offerings to the gods and shamans at the Het Cha Festival.

This is not only a festival but also an occasion for people to express their gratitude and send wishes for a year of favorable weather, good health and bountiful crops.

The rituals of the Het Cha Festival are imbued with the identity of the Thai ethnic group.

Het Cha Festival is one of the national intangible cultural heritages, bearing the spiritual and long-standing traditions of the White Thai people. Every year, the festival is always maintained to preserve, maintain and promote traditional cultural values.

The festival also features brocade weaving, flower weaving, and ethnic cuisine competitions, giving visitors the opportunity to better understand the cultural life and traditional crafts of the White Thai people. This contributes to promoting the local community cultural tourism space to visitors.

Many cultural and artistic activities took place at the Het Cha Festival, attracting a large number of tourists.

The festival is held to thank the shamans who have cured illnesses and helped the villagers overcome difficulties. It is also an opportunity for the villagers to express their gratitude to heaven, earth, gods and ancestors who have blessed them with a peaceful life.

Ms. Luong Thi Loat, Het Cha Festival Artisan, said: Not only does the festival have spiritual significance, it is also an opportunity for the White Thai people to unite the community, share joy and hope for the future. No matter how far away they are, every March, they return to gather and attend the festival, as a way to affirm their indelible cultural identity.

Thai girls in traditional costumes participate in rituals at the Het Cha Festival.

The most important highlight of the Het Cha Festival is the ceremony with rituals imbued with the beliefs of the White Thai people. From early morning, the shamans have prepared offerings and performed rituals to worship the land god, the gods, the banyan tree god and the master Het Cha. This is also the moment when people believe that their prayers will be witnessed by the gods, blessing them with a prosperous life and a peaceful country...

The festival includes activities to simulate the simple daily life of the Thai ethnic people in the process of building villages, building Muongs, and building a new life.

Witty and funny folk performances with many humanistic meanings are recreated on stage. In addition, the graceful, rhythmic and charming xoè dances blend with the bustling sound of drums and gongs, creating many impressions for visitors.

At the Het Cha Festival, many unique folk games take place.

On the sidelines of the Het Cha Festival, there are many unique and attractive cultural activities among the people of the villages in Dong Sang commune, such as: Fire-making contest to boil chicken, ethnic cuisine exhibition, cultural experience of Thai ethnic space in Dong Sang ward, Moc Chau town...

The Het Cha Festival ended with a solidarity dance and the locals and visitors from all over the country holding hands in the Thai dance. The bustling sounds of gongs and drums, the graceful dances and the exciting folk games left many good impressions in the hearts of the locals and visitors.