Experience traditional Mong culture in Hanoi

On March 21, news from the Management Board of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village said that the program "Colors of Mong ethnic culture" with the theme "Experiencing traditional culture with the Mong ethnic group in Nghe An" was organized by the cultural entity itself for two days, March 22-23, 2025.

The Mong ethnic cultural colors program will be organized by the cultural entities themselves. Photo: LVH

Specifically, about 30 Mong ethnic artisans from Nghe An province will come to the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi) to participate in the program, with activities introducing unique ethnic cultures.

The highlight is the reenactment of the New Year's Eve ceremony according to the traditions of the Mong ethnic group.

The Mong people's own calendar does not have short months, full months, or leap months; each month has 30 days, each year has 12 months, and every 360 days makes a year. Therefore, around the end of the 11th lunar month, when the harvest season has ended, people have time to rest and celebrate, which is also the time when the Mong people start celebrating Tet.

An indispensable religious ritual on this occasion is the Tet worship ceremony, the most important of which is the ancestor worship ceremony taking place on the last day of the year. Tet is an occasion for children and grandchildren, even those who work far away, to return home to gather with their families and relatives so that the whole family can prepare the new year worship ceremony in a warm and united atmosphere.

After the ceremony, there will be a folk song and dance exchange of the Mong people and traditional folk games such as: playing the gong, throwing the pao, dancing the panpipe and singing cuxia, singing and responding to love songs, to dispel the difficulties and fatigue of the old year. The Mong people gather together to welcome the new year of peace and prosperity.

The reenactment of the New Year's Eve Ceremony will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on March 23 (Sunday) at the Mong ethnic village.

In addition, during the two weekend days, there will be activities in the folk song and dance exchange program "Spring Festival in the mountains and forests"; activities to introduce and perform panpipe dancing, pao throwing festival and experience the traditional culture of the Mong people.

“Spring Festival of the Mountains and Forests” is a program of singing, dancing and music by Mong ethnic artists through musical activities and performances telling the story of the beauty of the mountains and forests when spring comes.

The Khen dance shows the skill and flexibility of Mong ethnic men. Photo: LVH

During festivals, Mong men carry panpipes and perform panpipe dances to show their manhood, while Mong women carry pao fruits with them. Pao fruits represent the diligence, hard work and dexterity of Mong women and are also a beautiful symbol of Mong women and love.

During these days, people together show off their best dances, the most passionate flute sounds and folk games, and immerse themselves in the spring atmosphere with tourists.

Khanh Ngoc