The city of Dien Bien Phu in the northern province of Dien Bien is geared up for the third “ con ” (colourful fabric ball) throwing festival slated for October 25-27, with locals from neighbouring Laos and China.
As many as 1,500 participants, including about 85 from the guest Chinese district of Jiangcheng (Yunnan province) and 60 from the Lao district of Nhot U (Phongsaly province), will take part in the festival, which is the first of its kind held in Dien Bien Phu.
Apart from “con” throwing” competitions, the festival will also feature folk games, a cooking contest, a costumes beauty pageant, a trade fair on Vietnamese consumer products, and cultural exchanges.
Earlier, the event took place in China’s Jiangcheng district.
Influenced by the Thai ethnic group’s culture, districts of Muong Nhe and Muong Te in Dien Bien and Lai Chau together with its neighboring localities of Laos’ Nhot U and China’s Jiangcheng take turns organising the festival each year.
During festivals and New Year holidays of the Thai ethnic group, “con” hurling is an indispensable folk game. It is often held on a spacious and flat ground where a 15-20m high bamboo pole is erected. Its top is tied with a five-coloured flag and a bamboo-made ring wrapped in red paper that serves as the target.
According to Lo Van In, a Thai culture researcher in Dien Bien, “con” symbolises Yang while the bamboo ring embodies Yin. The game shows the harmony of Yin and Yang so that couples who wish to have children excitingly compete in the game to pray for a child.-VNA
As many as 1,500 participants, including about 85 from the guest Chinese district of Jiangcheng (Yunnan province) and 60 from the Lao district of Nhot U (Phongsaly province), will take part in the festival, which is the first of its kind held in Dien Bien Phu.
Apart from “con” throwing” competitions, the festival will also feature folk games, a cooking contest, a costumes beauty pageant, a trade fair on Vietnamese consumer products, and cultural exchanges.
Earlier, the event took place in China’s Jiangcheng district.
Influenced by the Thai ethnic group’s culture, districts of Muong Nhe and Muong Te in Dien Bien and Lai Chau together with its neighboring localities of Laos’ Nhot U and China’s Jiangcheng take turns organising the festival each year.
During festivals and New Year holidays of the Thai ethnic group, “con” hurling is an indispensable folk game. It is often held on a spacious and flat ground where a 15-20m high bamboo pole is erected. Its top is tied with a five-coloured flag and a bamboo-made ring wrapped in red paper that serves as the target.
According to Lo Van In, a Thai culture researcher in Dien Bien, “con” symbolises Yang while the bamboo ring embodies Yin. The game shows the harmony of Yin and Yang so that couples who wish to have children excitingly compete in the game to pray for a child.-VNA
