Droves of domestic and foreign tourists visit the mountainous northernprovince of Lao Cai during Tet (Lunar New Year). The province, hometo numerous ethnic minorities, hosts over 30 festivals each year.

Among them is a dancing festival, which is held inSa Pa district only on the first and second day of the Lunar NewYear. Dao ethnic minorities dance to symbolically invite ancestors andangels from heaven back to earth to celebrate Tet with theirdescendants.

Folk dances of their community, werealso performed as part of efforts to pray for protection and blessings,for the survival of their clan.

The dance ritualswere followed by a procession and ancestral statue bathing ceremonies,and a fire dancing festival which also attracts tourists for at leastthree days and two nights.

Another touristattraction is the Tay ethnic minority’s Long Tong festival, known asRong Pooc by Giay ethnic folk. The one-day event is hosted by an elderlyor a prestigious shaman. A bamboo pole adorned with red and yellow wishpaper is erected. The offerings include a variety of farm produce topray for a bumper harvest and good luck.

During thefestival, cultural and sporting activities including football, tabletennis, tug of war, stilt walking, blind man’s buff, and “con”throwing are organised.

Visitors to the provincewill also have a chance to enjoy Gau Tao festival of the Mong people orthe Ha Nhi people’s Khu Gia Gia festival.

Lastyear, Lao Cai welcomed over 1 million tourists and earned nearly 2trillion VND (95 million USD) in revenue, up 35.8 percent from the yearbefore.

Tran Huu Son, Director of the provincialDepartment of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the sector will focus ondeveloping special and quality tourist products based on localheritages.

The province expects more than 1.1 million visitors this year, which will generate over 2.1 trillion VND (100 million USD).-VNA