Mông girls perform traditional dances of their ethnic group at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

Visitors to Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hà Nội’s Sơn Tây this September will have a chance to explore the cultural identities and traditional customs of Việt Nam’s 54 ethnic groups through numerous activities.

With the theme Vui Tết Độc Lập (Happy Independence Festival), the series of cultural activities is to celebrate the 77th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945-2022).

They are also expected to promote and preserve cultural values, strengthen exchanges among ethnic communities nationwide and attract more tourists to the village.

Over 200 members and artists from 17 ethnic groups, along with artists from Vietnam Circus Federation and artisans from various craft villages, will join and entertain visitors next month.

The series of activities will be divided into two parts – Sắc Màu Xứ Tuyên (The colours of Tuyên Land) and Sắc Màu Tây Nguyên (Colours of the Central Highlands).

The highlight of the first part is the re-enactment of the kermis in the northern province of Tuyên Quang in which participants could purchase specialties of ethnic groups in the northeastern region like Mông, Dao, Tày or Thái. Along with the kermis are folk singing performances, traditional games and the introduction of ethnic cuisines.

The second part will feature the cultural activities of the Cor people in the central province of Quảng Ngãi, including their major festival Lễ Ăn Trâu (Buffalo Eating Festival) which aims to reinforce communal relations, the art of đấu chiêng (gong battle) and art performances.

Young visitors will be entertained with exciting circus performances of the artists from the Vietnam Circus Federation, with animal shows, magic shows, clowns, acrobats and juggling.

Particularly, as the Full-Moon Festival, one of the most anticipated festivals of Vietnamese children, is coming, Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will organise a programme dedicated to children. Children will be able to make Mid-Autumn traditional toys under the guidance of artisans like star lanterns, paper masks and tò he (toy figurines), or play traditional games like ô ăn quan (Mandarin Square Capturing) or beating the drums blindfolded.

The village, located in the Đồng Mô tourism area in Hà Nội’s Sơn Tây suburb, is described as a “common home” of the 54 ethnic groups across the nation. It has a total area of 1,544ha with seven functional zones. Among them, the zone for ethnic minority villages is considered the heart of the culture-tourism village.