At this time of year, villagers in Bac Yen of the northern mountainous province of Son La are eager to welcome their traditional New Year celebrations. The festivities see Mong ethnic people bringing in the New Year by meeting and greeting.

Mong people celebrate their New Year on the 30th day of the eleventh lunar month, a month earlier than the country’s traditional Lunar New Year festivities. The five-day festival is an occasion for the group to have a break and gather together after working hard all year. As living conditions have been transformed, the spiritual life of local people has become improved. Therefore, New Year is an occasion for enjoying leisure time, playing folk games with family and friends.-VNA