The culture and tourism camp, part of the Son La Culture and Tourism Week 2018. (Photo: Duc Anh)

The annual event attracts 1,500 artists, featuring a trade fair of local farm produce for export, a fashion show highlighting traditional costumes of ethnic groups in Son La, and a culture and tourism camp promoting the local cultural space, cuisine, and typical labor tools of the locals.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Moc Chau district, said: “Activities during the week will promote cultural identities of local ethnic groups. For example, the culture and tourism camp demonstrates almost all daily activities of Mong, Dao, Thai, and Muong ethnic people. A street festival or a community culture competition offers an opportunity for local ethnic people to introduce their typical cultural characteristics.”

A Mong ethnic artist performs "Khen", the traditional musical instrument. (Photo: Duc Anh)

Other activities include a cultural, sports, and tourism exchange program held at Loong Sap Border Crossing, to mark the National Day on September 2.

Trade and investment promotion activities have also been held as part of the event, according to Tran Nhu Kien, Director of Phuong Nam Agriculture Cooperative in Yen Chau district.

Kien added: “We have met many partners at Son La farm produce promotion fair and found new ways to help the cooperative’s products access domestic and foreign markets.”

At the opening ceremony on Saturday night, the organizing board will announce a decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, recognizing Mong people’s art of “Khen”, a type of bamboo pipe, and the ‘Pang A’ or luck prayer festival of the La Ha ethnic group, as national intangible cultural heritage.