Hanoi (VNA) – With its rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in folk traditions, Hoa Binh province in northern Vietnam is leveraging traditional festivals to drive tourism growth.
Home to the Muong ethnic group, which makes up over 60% of the local population, Hoa Binh’s festivals not only reflect the aspirations for prosperity and happiness but also attract visitors eager for cultural experiences.
Spring is a particularly vibrant time in the province, with numerous traditional Muong festivals such as Khai Ha, Chua Tien, and Dinh Kenh taking place. These events strengthen community bonds while drawing large numbers of tourists.
Among them, the Khai Ha Festival - also known as the "going down to the field" or forest-opening festival - is a major spiritual and cultural event for the Muong people. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and serves as an occasion for the four major Muong regions - Muong Bi (Tan Lac), Muong Vang (Lac Son), Muong Thang (Cao Phong), and Muong Dong (Kim Boi) - to pay tribute to their ancestors who pioneered wet rice cultivation, a cornerstone of Vietnam’s ancient civilisation. Another popular site is the Thac Bo Temple, a renowned spiritual and ecological tourism destination nestled in the scenic Hoa Binh Lake area.
Every year, the temple attracts thousands of visitors, particularly during its annual festival from the 2nd day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month. According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, some days saw more than 4,000 visitors this year.
Additionally, the Mong ethnic community in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes, Mai Chau district, celebrates the Gau Tao festival, while the Thai ethnic group in Chieng Chau commune holds the Xen Muong festival, a key cultural event for the Thai people.
According to Bui Kim Phuc, head of the cultural management division at the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, spring festivals play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, educating people about local history, and unlocking Hoa Binh’s tourism potential for both domestic and international visitors.
A palanquin procession at the Khai Ha festival of the Muong people in Hoa Binh. (Photo: VNA)
Sung Y Mua, owner of Y Mua Homestay in Hang Kia commune, shared that her two homestays were fully booked a month in advance for the Gau Tao Festival. She expressed her hope for increased investment in transportation infrastructure, accommodation, and high-quality tourism services to improve local livelihoods and further boost the provincial economy.
For Pham Anh Tho from Thanh Hoa province, who attended the Gau Tao Festival for the first time, the experience was unforgettable. She participated in “nem pao” (ball throwing), walking on stilts, and playing the khen (panpipe), a traditional Mong musical instrument.
“I was truly impressed by the stunning Mong girls in vibrant ethnic attire, their outfits adorned with silver ornaments, dancing to the melodic sounds of the khen. It was a magical experience, and my family will definitely return next spring,” she said.
Looking ahead, Quach Thi Kieu, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, affirmed that local authorities are committed to preserving the historical and cultural significance of traditional festivals while integrating them into tourism development strategies to promote economic and social growth.
This year, Hoa Binh’s tourism sector plans to launch multiple initiatives to raise public awareness about culture’s role in socio-economic development. The goal is to preserve Vietnam’s national heritage while fostering a culturally rich, globally integrated tourism industry.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, Hoa Binh welcomed over 250,000 visitors, including nearly 6,000 foreign tourists and over 244,200 domestic travellers, marking a 25% year-over-year increase. Total revenue from tourism services reached 132 billion VND (5.18 million USD), up 11.8% from the same period last year./.
