Second Thai Cultural Festival opens in Dien Bien

A mass performance of the "xoe" dance, a traditional dance of Thai ethnic people, at the festival's opening ceremony on October 18 (Photo: VNA)

Dien Bien (VNA) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with five northern mountainous provinces, opened the second Thai Cultural Festival 2019, in Dien Bien province’s Dien Bien Phu city, on October 18.

Nearly 600 artists from the five provinces of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Bai and Thanh Hoa, along with an art troupe of Luang Namtha province in Laos, as well as a large number of people from all ethnic groups in Dien Bien, attended the event.

With the theme "Conservation and promotion of Thai cultural identity in the period of integration and national development", the festival runs until October 20.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, a representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasised the significance and importance of the festival, which highlights the traditional cultural values of the Thai people, especially “mua xoe”, a traditional dance of Thai ethnic people which has been recognised as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The festival is also a good opportunity to promote the unique cultural tourism potential of Dien Bien province in particular and the Northwest region in general, he added.

Various cultural, sport and tourism activities are being held, such as a show of traditional Thai ethnic costumes, demonstrations of cultural activities of Thai ethnic groups, and promotion of local tourism products.

Visitors can also learn about Thai ethnic groups’ brocade weaving skills and take part in folk games such as stilt-walking, crossbow shooting, and tug of war./.