The ritual procession of President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait and offerings to the sacred forest. (Photo: VNA)
The ritual procession of a wild pig to the sacred forest. (Photo: VNA)
The offerings to the forest deities include a pair of roosters, one male and one female. (Photo: VNA)
The shaman performs the ritual to honour the forest deities. (Photo: VNA)
Mong women help each other adjust their traditional attire before joining the festival. (Photo: VNA)
Young Mong men performs the traditional “khen” dance. (Photo: VNA)
Mong girls radiate joy in their traditional costumes. (Photo: VNA)
Mong people's oath to protect forest
As tradition dictates, on the last day of the first lunar month each year, the Mong ethnic people in Na Hau commune, Van Yen district, Yen Bai province, eagerly gather at village centres to celebrate the forest worship ceremony, also known as the forest festival. This annual event is held to express gratitude to the forest deities for their blessings over the past year and to set new commitments for forest protection in the year ahead.
