HA GIANG - This year, for the first time, the people of Then Pa village gathered to celebrate Tet in the center of the village, under the red flag with yellow star flying on Lung Cu flagpole.
Then Pa village belongs to Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, located at the foot of Dragon mountain, where Lung Cu flagpole is located, considered the northernmost point of Vietnam, about 26 km from Dong Van town. Then Pa still retains many traditional cultural features of the Mong ethnic group such as rammed earth houses, yin-yang tiled roofs, brocade costumes and especially the New Year.
The Mong people's Tet in Then Pa lasts about a month. People often slaughter pigs from December 15 to 30 (lunar calendar) to prepare food for Tet. The ancestor worship ceremony is held on the first day of the new year. After that, people visit relatives and participate in spring festivals. The most typical is the Gau Tao festival with art performances and folk games. This is also an opportunity for Mong boys and girls to meet and get married.
In previous years, households in the village prepared for Tet by themselves. This is the first year that villagers gathered to celebrate Tet and participate in cultural activities and folk games at a communal yard in the village.
Mr. Vu Gia Dai (Thai Nguyen), who organized the event with the locals, said the main activities were held on January 25. Before that, the locals cleaned up the central courtyard of the village, moved tables and chairs, and set up tarps to prepare for the feast right under the Lung Cu flagpole.
After the ceremony, people eat a feast with dishes made from pork, chicken and especially men men (corn rice), a typical dish of the Mong people in Ha Giang.
After the ceremony is the festival with cultural activities and traditional folk games such as pao throwing (photo), panpipe dancing, flute playing, and duets singing.
The festival was attended mostly by Then Pa villagers and a few invited tourists. People gathered around the village yard, happily watching the performances and cheering for the players.
Due to its location far from Dong Van town and the first year of organization, there are not many tourists coming to experience Mong Then Pa Tet like in Dong Van or Meo Vac ancient town.
Spring is the most beautiful season in Then Pa in particular and Ha Giang in general when peach blossoms, plum blossoms and pear blossoms bloom together. This year, the flowers are expected to bloom on the full moon of January (15/1 lunar calendar). Tourists can visit Then Pa and stay overnight in a homestay room in a local's house, with prices ranging from 150,000 - 180,000 VND per night.
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