Binh Lieu inaugurates the 2025 Wind-Avoiding Festival.

On the morning of May 1st, Binh Lieu district held a ceremony to announce and receive the Decision of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include the "Wind-Avoiding Custom of the Dao People" in Dong Van commune, Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province, in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and simultaneously held the opening ceremony of the 2025 Wind-Avoiding Festival. Attending the ceremony was Comrade Vi Ngoc Bich, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council.

Comrade Vi Ngoc Bich, Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, presented flowers to congratulate the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Van commune, Binh Lieu district, on receiving the decision recognizing the Wind-Avoiding Custom as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The ceremony was also attended by leaders from local authorities, departments, and organizations of the province; leaders and delegations from Fangcheng District (Fangcheng Port City, Guangxi, China), along with a large number of local people and tourists. The event was a meaningful activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), International Labor Day (May 1st), and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China.

Along with the Luc Na Temple Festival, the Hoa So Festival, the Soong Co Festival, the Golden Harvest Festival, etc., the Wind-Avoiding Festival has become one of the cultural and tourism events that represent the brand of Binh Lieu for many years. This is one of the unique spiritual and cultural activities of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic group in the district, preserved through many generations. According to the elders, on the Wind-Avoiding Day, the Dao people quietly leave their homes early, so that when the Wind God enters the house, it will take away the misfortunes and troubles of the old year and bring in good fortune, prosperity, and abundance. The Dao people believe that on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month, whatever they do will not be auspicious. They temporarily put aside all work, let their buffaloes go to the forest, and the whole village goes together to "mi seng phay hey dao" ("go to the market on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month").

The art program recreates the unique cultural customs of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic community in Binh Lieu district ( Quang Ninh province).

The "Wind-Avoiding Custom" is not only a spiritual ritual but also a profound cultural message about the harmony between humans and nature, between the physical and the intangible realms. It is how the Dao community strengthens its faith, fosters love and unity, and maintains solidarity within the community. Over the years, this custom has not faded but remains vibrant in the lives of the people, preserved by artisans, shamans, and the community. The recognition of the Wind-Avoiding Custom as a national intangible cultural heritage is not only an honor but also a responsibility for the local government and people.

Mr. Duong Phuc Thim (Khe Tien Hamlet, Dong Van Commune) proudly shared: "The Dao people's custom of avoiding wind has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. This is the achievement of the Thanh Phan Dao community in Dong Van commune in particular, and the entire district in general, in preserving, maintaining, and conserving the beautiful traditional customs of the Dao ethnic group over the years. We are even more determined to spread the traditional cultural heritage of our ancestors to future generations, as well as to tourists everywhere."

Many people from the Tay, San Chi, and Dao Thanh Y ethnic groups in Binh Lieu district also came to join in the festivities.

Artists from Fangcheng District (Fangcheng Port City, Guangxi, China) celebrated with dance performances showcasing their rich local culture.

This special performance beautifully showcased the friendship between artisans, artists, and people of Binh Lieu district and Fangcheng area (Fangcheng Port city, Guangxi, China).

According to the leaders of Binh Lieu district, in the coming time, the locality will continue to proactively coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other specialized agencies to develop a plan for preserving the "Wind Avoidance Custom" of the Dao people in Dong Van commune in a systematic, scientific and sustainable manner; linking preservation with community tourism development, creating livelihoods and increasing income for the people, especially the Dao ethnic community in Dong Van commune; encouraging the Dao ethnic community to actively participate in preserving the heritage, especially the younger generation, so that the "Wind Avoidance Custom" becomes vibrant in the present and is inherited and developed in the future.

The 2025 Wind-Avoiding Festival will take place from April 30th to May 4th with many unique cultural, sports, and tourism activities such as: a cultural and artistic festival between villages; competitions in traditional sports; a spinning top exchange between people from Dong Van and Hoanh Mo communes (Vietnam) and Dong Trung town (China); exhibition and introduction of handicrafts, OCOP products, and traditional cuisine; community tourism experiences, etc.

Many tourists visit Dong Van market to shop for OCOP products and local specialties.

Tourists are looking to buy cassava vermicelli products from the district.

During this holiday period, Binh Lieu district expects to attract 14,000 visitors. This is also an important opportunity to promote the image of Binh Lieu as an attractive border tourism destination, aiming to welcome 500,000 visitors in 2025.

Do Hung

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/binh-lieu-khai-mac-hoi-kieng-gio-2025-3356009.html