(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam’s National Day, September 2, is a special occasion – the Independence Festival of the Vietnamese nation. People nationwide, including the ethnic minority communities in Lai Châu province, get together to joyfully celebrate the national holiday.
 An ethnic man hangs the national flag to celebrate National Day (Photo: Khac Kien/VOV correspondent in the Northwest region) |
Tu San village in Muong Kim commune has felt the festive atmosphere of the Independence Festival for days. Under the national flags, women embroidered traditional dresses while villagers played folk games like pao throwing, tug-of-war, and tu lu spinning top.
“Every year, we look forward to Independence Festival. On such occasions, women prepare beautiful clothes to wear,” said villager Giang Thi Sau.
While the women prepared their holiday attire, the men hung flags and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh and cooked meals to enjoy with relatives, neighbors, and friends.
For Ly A Gia and Mua A Mang the Independence Festival is a day of reunion and a reminder to the younger generation of the great contributions of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.
“My family hangs the national flag and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh. Thanks to the Party and President Ho, we have independence, freedom, and happiness today.”
“Villagers have been preparing items to sell at the market and earn some money for the Independence Festival. Besides going to the market, families also prepare a feast at home and invite their relatives and friends.”
 Local women in Lai Chau province go shopping to prepare for National Day celebrations (Photo: Khac Kien/VOV correspondent in the Northwest region) |
Lai Chau province has been recognized by the Vietnam Records Organization for celebrating National Day in conjunction with the Ethnic Cultural and Sports Festival the most consistently for many consecutive years. This year, Lai Chau held the event from August 30 to September 2.
During those four days, a wide range of cultural, sports, and tourism activities took place in various communes. Highlights included the Nam Pat fair, the Khoen On Landscape Festival, the Mường Than Colors Festival, art performances, and the unity circle dance.
“The Independence Festival has been held by local people for a long time, with diverse cultural and sports activities. This year’s celebration was larger in scale, with the participation of many communes across the province. New activities were introduced, such as the Komomo run, paragliding, a street food space, and a parade on the morning of September 2,” said Pham Hong Thai, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council of Than Uyen commune.
The Independence Festival in Lai Chau is a festival of unity, a testament to love for the nation, gratitude to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, and solidarity between ethnic groups in the borderlands of Vietnam.