Luc Ngan is a mountainous district located in the northeast of the province which has 28 communes, towns and 8 ethnic groups including Kinh, Tay, Nung, Cao Lan, San Diu, San Chi, Dao and Hoa, of which ethnic minorities account for 49 percent of the district population. 

Chu Van Trong, permanent Vice Chairman of the district people’s committee hits the drum to open the festival.

The cultural and sports festival of ethnic minorities in Luc Ngan district is revived based on the original Chu market day taking place on 18th day of the second lunar month annually. This is not just a simple market day but it is also one of the big spring festivals of ethnic minorities in the district.

An art performance at the cultural and sports festival of the ethnic minorities in Luc Ngan district

During the early spring markets, all people dress up and come together to the market to meet, date, have fun and sing love songs.

The festival lures a large number of participants.

Since the first singing festival held in 1996, its unique features have been selected to restore, preserve and develop into a core component of the cultural and sports festival of ethnic minorities in Luc Ngan district today.

The traditional costume performance.

The festival also includes sports competitions, folk games such as tug and war, blind man’s bluff, swing, mandarin square capturing, bag jumping and a running race themed “2nd Conquering Am Vai holy mountain”. 

Nguyen Huong