Mong ethnic people in Lai Chau bustlingly take to the streets to celebrate Independence Day

As scheduled, every year on the occasion of National Day September 2, thousands of Mong people from remote villages and hamlets of Lai Chau province eagerly gather in the windy land of Than Uyen to celebrate Independence Day, exchange culture, exchange traditional goods, and demonstrate solidarity within the ethnic community.

Early in the morning of September 2, when clouds still covered the high mountains, the atmosphere of Independence Day covered all the roads in Than Uyen district. Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA

Joyful Tet celebration Early in the morning of September 2, when the clouds were still covering the high mountains, the atmosphere of the Independence Day covered the remote villages of the Mong people in Than Uyen district, spreading to the villages of the Thai, Dao, Kho Mu ethnic groups, and neighboring communes of Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai) and Quynh Nhai district (Son La). The red flag with yellow star fluttered, blending with the bustling crowd on the roads to the Than Uyen town stadium to celebrate, creating a unique picture converging the identity of the Northwest. On every road from the village to the center of Than Uyen town, it is easy to see the eyes and bright smiles of Mong boys and girls in traditional costumes. Cultural, artistic, and sports activities were also organized by the locality to encourage and motivate the people's spirit when they wholeheartedly turn to the Party and Uncle Ho. Like many other Mong ethnic families in Lai Chau, when September 2nd approaches, the family of Cu Thi Vang, in Muong Cang commune, Than Uyen district, is busy cleaning the house, washing new clothes to prepare for Independence Day. Because, according to the Mong people's concept, Independence Day is like the main festival of their people, so everyone from old to young eagerly waits for Independence Day to go to the district to meet and have fun with friends, relatives and other ethnic groups.

A Mong family in Than Uyen district goes out to celebrate Independence Day. Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA

Ms. Giang Thi Do, a Mong ethnic in Ta Mung commune, Than Uyen district, shared: "Before Independence Day, every Mong family in the commune tries to work hard to earn money, then waits for Independence Day to go out, socialize, and meet brothers, friends, and relatives. Even though we Mong people work far away, on September 2nd, we try to come home to celebrate Independence Day with our families. I hope that next year the district will continue to organize many activities for Mong people to enjoy themselves." Coming to Than Uyen in early September, visitors will feel the bustling atmosphere of Independence Day of the ethnic people here, especially the Mong people. Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, a tourist from Hanoi, shared his joy when he came to Lai Chau to attend Independence Day in Than Uyen. Coming here, he was able to visit the cultural space of the ethnic groups and enjoy many unique dishes. What impressed Mr. Phuc the most was that the Mong people here were very united, they came to the district in large groups to celebrate Independence Day. Mr. Phuc said that next year he will invite more friends to celebrate Independence Day with the people of Than Uyen district. Independence Day is also an opportunity for Mong couples to meet and find their partners. There are many young couples who live hundreds of kilometers apart but have become husband and wife after attending Independence Day together. Preserving Mong ethnic culture

Crowds of people on the roads flock to Than Uyen town to celebrate the festival, creating a picture of convergence of Northwestern identity. Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA

Independence Day is a special cultural activity of the Mong people. On this day, along with the joyful activities of celebrating Tet, Mong people also exchange culture and traditional products of their people.

Ms. Sung Thi Cua, a Mong ethnic in Khao Mang commune, Mu Cang Chai district (Yen Bai) said that every year, on the occasion of Independence Day, some women in the village bring brocade products and costumes to Than Uyen district to sell and exchange goods with each other. This shows the solidarity and closeness in the Mong ethnic community. In a year, the Mong ethnic people in Than Uyen district have two big holidays, which are Lunar New Year and Independence Day on September 2. Independence Day on September 2 is the most meaningful, people from all villages dress up in new clothes, go to the district to exchange, meet brothers and friends. This is also a traditional cultural feature of the Mong ethnic people in Than Uyen district.

Mong women in Than Uyen district go out together to celebrate Independence Day. Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA

To preserve the cultural beauty of the Mong people in particular and other ethnic groups in general, every year, Than Uyen district organizes a cultural festival of ethnic groups. Thereby, introducing and promoting the potential for cultural and tourism development of the district; at the same time, educating the tradition of patriotism, national pride, and strengthening the solidarity of the whole people. Through the event, the district hopes to create a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the people, improving the enjoyment of spiritual and cultural life for the ethnic groups in the district, especially the Mong people. Mr. Tran Quang Chien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Than Uyen district, said that seeing the long-standing cultural tradition of celebrating Independence Day left by the Mong people, in recent years, the district has always paid attention to organizing activities, creating playgrounds for people to encourage and motivate them to preserve traditional cultural beauty. This year, the district organized many unique cultural activities of the Mong people such as: introducing folk festivals, performing ethnic costumes; The booth displays familiar items in the daily life of the Mong people, along with folk games such as: throwing pao, playing chicken badminton, and tu lu. It can be seen that the recreational activities during the Independence Day of the ethnic minorities in the highlands of Lai Chau province in general and the Mong people in particular have contributed to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups, strengthening the spirit of solidarity and patriotism, and belief in the Party and beloved Uncle Ho.

Viet Hoang - Dinh Thuy (Vietnam News Agency)

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