Hanoi (VNA) – The first Autumn Fair 2025 at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi has come alive as visitors enjoy the Xoe dances of Thai ethnic people, the sound of Mong bamboo flutes, and the vibrant traditional attire of northwestern ethnic minorities showcased at the Son La pavilion.
Amid more than 3,000 booths from across the country, Son La province offers a distinctive experience where highland culture, music, and cuisine blend harmoniously, recreating the spirit of the northwest in the heart of the capital.
Designed as a miniature mountain village, the exhibition space features stilt houses, bamboo fences, handlooms for brocade weaving, and a check-in corner with a persimmon tree laden with fruit. Here, artisans from the Thai, Mong and Dao ethnic groups perform traditional dances, folk songs, and musical pieces, offering visitors an authentic and deeply emotional cultural experience.
Le Thi Hong Anh, Director of the Son La Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, said that the province wants to present not only its agricultural products but also its cultural richness. She said each dance, brocade piece, and flute melody reflects the pride and identity of the northwest’s people, adding that Son La hopes to bring its unique ethnic culture closer to local residents and visitors from far and wide.
Cultural performances like Xoe and bamboo pole dances have drawn large crowds and created a warm and festive atmosphere.
Dinh Linh, a dancer from Son La, expressed pride in showcasing the Thai Xoe dance and hoped to share the vibrancy of the northwestern culture. Meanwhile, Khuong Duy, a visitor from Lam Dong province, said he felt fortunate to experience the region’s rich and authentic traditions amid the modern exhibition setting.
Alongside cultural performances, Son La also displays a wide range of agricultural and OCOP products, including signature fruits such as custard apple, golden passion fruit, red-fleshed dragon fruit, and wild apple, as well as dried specialties like soft-dried plums and mangoes.
According to Anh, the Autumn Fair is an opportunity for Son La to promote its signature agricultural products, connect with domestic and international distributors, and tap into the export potential of high-quality local produce.
Through its cultural and artistic activities, Son La is promoting tourism and highlighting the preservation of ethnic heritage, leaving a positive impression on visitors and buyers at the Autumn Fair 2025./.
VNA
