Special series of activities "Happy Independence Day"
From August 30 to September 2, 2025, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will organize a series of special activities with a highland market, traditional festivals, folk games and local cuisine, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).
Through introducing the culture and customs of ethnic groups at the Common House, the series of activities contributes to enhancing exchanges, connections and spreading the diverse cultural values of the Vietnamese ethnic community.
The series of activities were attended by about 200 artisans and ethnic minorities. Of these, more than 100 people from 16 ethnic groups are active daily in the village; about 60 people from the two ethnic groups Nung (Lang Son) and Muong (Thanh Hoa) participated in festivals and highlight events.
The “Happy Independence Day” highland market is the main activity of the series of events, taking place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from August 30 to September 2 at the Northern highland market, Ethnic Village Area I. The market recreates the typical cultural space of the Northwest and Northeast regions with folk songs, folk dances, folk games, cuisine and local products. The highlight is the Lion and Cat dance of the Nung ethnic group and the performances and preparation of traditional cuisine of the Muong ethnic group. At the market, there will be about 50 booths displaying and introducing local products, unique cuisine and traditional handicrafts, from brocade, musical instruments, rice, bamboo shoots, vermicelli to dishes such as roast pork, roast duck, five-color sticky rice, thang co...
Traditional art activities are also held throughout these days. Accordingly, the Lion and Cat dance art - a national intangible cultural heritage - will be performed twice a day, from 8:30 to 9:00 and from 14:30 to 15:00, creating an opportunity to experience the unique cultural space of the Nung ethnic group. The folk song and dance program "Happy Independence Day" takes place from 09:00 to 10:30 and from 15:00 to 16:30, introducing dances, folk games and praising the homeland and national identity.
In addition, festivals reenacting traditional rituals were also held on this occasion, notably the Poon Poong festival (flower-viewing festival) of the Muong people (Thanh Hoa) taking place on August 31, and the Cai Tao ceremony - granting a title to Tao teachers of the Nung people (Lang Son) on September 1. These are important rituals, reflecting spiritual life, customs, and practices, contributing to educating about the tradition of patriotism, the spirit of self-reliance and gratitude to ancestors.
At the A3 building and the Ethnic Villages Area III on holidays and weekends, visitors will experience folk games such as: playing chess, eating mandarins, walking on stilts, dancing on bamboo poles, seesaws, and experiences such as pottery making, painting statues, wearing ethnic costumes, knitting, weaving, making musical instruments, making wine, etc. This is an opportunity for students, families and visitors to experience and practice thinking and creative skills, while exploring nature and indigenous culture.
During the holiday, visitors can also visit, experience the cuisine, folk songs, folk dances and traditional crafts of many ethnic groups: Nung, Tay, Mong, Dao, Muong, Lao, Thai, Kho Mu, Ta Oi, Ba Na, Xo Dang, Gia Rai, Co Tu, Raglai, E De, Khmer. These activities help enhance cultural exchange, contributing to promoting, preserving and developing the unique cultural values of Vietnamese ethnic groups.