A mass performance of the "xoe" dance, a traditional dance of Thai ethnic people, at the festival's opening ceremony on October 18 (Photo: VNA)
DienBien (VNA) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with five northernmountainous provinces, opened thesecond Thai Cultural Festival 2019, in Dien Bien province’s DienBien Phu city, on October 18.
Nearly600 artists from the five provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Baiand Thanh Hoa, along with an art troupe of Luang Namtha province in Laos, aswell as a large number of people from all ethnic groups in Dien Bien, attendedthe event.
With thetheme "Conservation and promotion of Thai cultural identity in theperiod of integration and national development", the festival runs until October 20.
Speakingat the opening ceremony, a representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasised the significance and importanceof the festival, which highlights the traditional cultural values of the Thai people, especially “mua xoe”,a traditional dance of Thai ethnic people which has been recognised asnational intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism.
Thefestival is also a good opportunity to promote the unique cultural tourismpotential of Dien Bien provincein particular and the Northwest region in general, he added.
Various cultural, sport and tourism activities are being held,such as a show of traditionalThai ethnic costumes, demonstrationsof cultural activities of Thai ethnic groups, and promotion of local tourism products.
Visitors can also learn about Thai ethnic groups’ brocade weaving skillsand take part in folk games such as stilt-walking, crossbow shooting, and tugof war./.
