The first Mong (H’mong) Ethnic Culture Festival was kicked off in MeoVac district, the northernmost province of Ha Giang on February 28.

The two-day event aims to nurture the traditionalculture of the Mong ethnic minority group that has been passed on forgenerations and motivate them to work harder in order to have a betterlife.

A wide range of activities were enacted bylocals to introduce their life and customs including rites on the NewYear’s Eve, engagement rituals and the rite of naming a grown-up man. Acompetition on building stone fence was held, and visitors were invitedto try their hand at making the Mong’s staple food – the “men men” frommaize powder.

The traditional “con” throwing(throwing a cloth ball through a ring) and Khen (pan pipe) performanceswarmed up the atmosphere, and a beauty contest attracted crowds of youngpeople.

The same day, Meo Vac district held aceremony to receive certificates that recognise Rong (Dragon) Cave in TaLung and Pa Vi communes and the Hue Bien (Crinoidea) fossil area inLung Pu commune as national relic sites. The Giay ethnic people’s NewYear Festival in Tat Nga commune was also added to the nationalintangible cultural heritage on the occasion.-VNA