Perhaps no one remembers exactly when Gau Tao originated. All we know is that, regardless of age or gender, when mentioning Gau Tao, the eyes of all Hmong people light up with excitement. It is a sacred meeting place every spring.
Elder Mùa A Páo, from Bản Công village, Hạnh Phúc commune – who has witnessed dozens of Gầu Tào festivals, from family gatherings to the solemn celebrations since Gầu Tào was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage – proudly shared: “Since I was born, I have heard my grandparents tell stories about Gầu Tào. In the past, Gầu Tào was only held in a few families, stemming from spiritual beliefs to thank heaven and earth, and the gods for providing food, water, bountiful harvests, and healing from illness. Over time, the festival has been organized on a larger scale – in villages, communes, and then districts…”
The Gầu Tào tradition continued to grow in pride for the Hmong people, becoming a unique and unmistakable cultural feature of the highland communities of Trạm Tấu.
In Hmong legend, Gau Tao originates from the belief in worshipping deities and ancestors, and the custom of praying for children among infertile couples. Initially, this ceremony was often organized by families facing difficulties, illness, or business failures to ask for blessings from the mountain and forest spirits. When their wishes came true, they held a festival to give thanks and pray for blessings for the entire village. Therefore, Gau Tao carries a sacred meaning, an occasion for people to express gratitude to heaven and earth, and to pray for bountiful harvests, good health, and a prosperous and happy life.
In the Hmong language, "Gau Tao" means "outdoor play" or "hill festival"; in some places, it is also called "Say San" - mountain climbing. The festival usually takes place in early spring, after the Lunar New Year, lasting from the 1st to the 15th day of the first lunar month. The Gau Tao space is an open area amidst the mountains and forests, where nature becomes part of the ritual. The ritual itself is considered the "soul" of the festival, expressing people's reverence for the gods and the heavens.
The ceremony is led by a shaman, with offerings that are rich in cultural symbolism such as roosters - symbolizing good fortune, black pigs - representing prosperity, along with rice, corn, corn wine, and sticky rice cakes... The central highlight of the festival is the ceremonial pole - a sacred symbol associated with the beliefs of the Hmong people.
The ceremonial part is simple yet solemn; the festive part is vibrant and colorful. Graceful dances blend with the melodious sounds of the Hmong flute echoing through the mountains and forests; lively folk games such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, spinning tops, crossbow shooting, pao throwing, chicken badminton, and rice cake pounding competitions... make the Gầu Tào area truly a grand festival for the entire region.
In Hanh Phuc commune and many other localities of the former Tram Tau district, Gau Tao has long been the most anticipated cultural and spiritual event of the year. The elderly come to the festival to reunite with old friends; the young come to share their feelings and express their longing for each other.
Mr. Vang A Giang from Khau De village shared: "Whenever I hear about the Gau Tao festival, no matter how busy I am, I always come back to participate. We meet at the festival to play pao throwing, and some of us even find our crushes or lovers. Among my friends, some couples have found their spouses thanks to this festival."
Gầu Tào is not simply a spring festival; it's also a place for passing on the essence of ethnic culture. Mr. Hờ A Thào, from Tà Chử village – who has performed the Hmong flute dance at the festival for many years – said: “I have performed the Hmong flute dance on many stages and taught it in many classes, but every time I perform it at the Gầu Tào festival, I feel deeply moved. It's when I can truly express my aspirations and live authentically according to my ethnic identity. I always remind the younger generation that if you are Hmong, you must know how to play the Hmong flute and know about Gầu Tào. Not understanding this festival means you haven't fully understood your roots.”
In recent years, the restoration and organization of the annual Gau Tao festival in Tram Tau has made a significant contribution to preserving the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group, while also promoting cultural and ecological tourism . The atmosphere and colors of Gau Tao have become a highlight in the early spring cultural life of the Northwest region, attracting domestic and international tourists to visit and experience it.
In particular, immediately after implementing the two-tiered local government model, Hanh Phuc commune proactively deployed many practical activities to preserve and promote heritage, linking festivals with the development of community-based cultural tourism, gradually making the locality an attractive destination on the highland tourism map.
To celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the commune has implemented a plan to prepare for the Gầu Tào festival, scheduled to take place on the 12th and 13th of the first lunar month. The festive atmosphere has spread from the villages to the online space. Promotional clips on the local fan page have attracted tens of thousands of views; many comments express excitement: "I definitely have to go, I missed it last year and regretted it so much…", and some even registered to participate in the singing and dancing at the festival. This alone is enough to show the appeal of Gầu Tào among the countless spring festivals in the Northwest region.
From its spiritual origins to its community cultural space, the Gầu Tào festival remains a living heritage – a place where folk beliefs are not forgotten, but nurtured by the faith and proud appreciation of the Hmong people. Every spring, the ceremonial pole of the Gầu Tào festival is erected amidst the highlands, affirming the vibrant and enduring vitality of its traditional cultural identity and values.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/gau-tao-hanh-trinh-den-di-san-post893327.html
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