The three-country (Vietnam-Laos-China) Ball-Throwing Festival returns with many unique activities.

The 9th Vietnam-Laos-China Ball Throwing Festival will be held in Dien Bien province from December 19 to 21, 2025, with the theme "Unity, Friendship - Deepening Border Relations - Developing Together."

This is a large-scale cultural and diplomatic event, providing an opportunity for localities bordering the three countries to strengthen exchanges, promote their unique traditional cultures, and boost cooperation in tourism, economy , and society.

A major political , cultural, and diplomatic event – the 9th Vietnam-Laos-China Ball Throwing Festival – will be held in Dien Bien Phu ward, Dien Bien province from December 19-21, 2025.

This is a regular activity, held every two years, rotating among the provinces and districts sharing a common border of the three countries, aimed at strengthening traditional friendly neighborly relations.

Athletes compete in the women's ball throwing event. (Photo: Quoc Khanh/VNA)

This festival holds particular significance in the context of increasing emphasis on people-to-people exchanges and border cooperation.

The event aims to strengthen traditional friendship, enhance connectivity and mutual understanding between the authorities and communities along the border, and showcase the unique cultural values of the ethnic groups.

The festival is expected to attract around 1,200 delegates, artisans, athletes, and support staff.

The participating delegations included: Dien Bien Province and Lai Chau Province (Vietnam); Nhot U County and Phongsaly County of Phongsaly Province (Laos); and Jiangcheng County and Pu'er City of Yunnan Province (China).

The participation of numerous local delegations demonstrates the spirit of open cooperation and the strong relationship between the three countries.

With the theme "Unity, Friendship - Deepening Borderland Affection - Developing Together," the festival includes a series of unique cultural and sporting activities. The opening and closing ceremonies will vividly recreate the colorful traditional culture of the ethnic groups in the border region.

The cultural and tourism product exhibition is an important part, introducing dozens of handicrafts, local specialties and photos of community life along the border. This activity not only promotes tourism potential but also enhances opportunities for understanding and cooperation between businesses and people of the three countries.

The sports competition is always considered the most attractive highlight. Traditional highland sports such as throwing the ball, stick pushing, crossbow shooting, spinning tops, and tug-of-war will take place with great enthusiasm.

Athletes compete in the stick-pushing event. (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

Notably, this year's festival also includes pickleball, a new sport attracting young people, creating an interesting blend of tradition and modernity. Each competition promises to bring a healthy competitive atmosphere along with enthusiastic support from locals and tourists.

Besides cultural and sporting activities, the festival also organizes a famtrip program to survey tourist destinations in Dien Bien, connecting with the Lao and Chinese markets.

This initiative aims to open up opportunities for the development of sustainable cross-border tourism products. Travel businesses in the region will also have the chance to meet, exchange ideas, and seek cooperation.

The 9th Three-Country Ball-Throwing Festival is also an opportunity to showcase the unique traditional cultural features of the ethnic groups, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and further strengthening solidarity and friendship between Party committees, governments, and people in the border areas of Vietnam, Laos, and China.

With meticulous preparation and rich content, the event promises to create a vibrant cultural exchange space and strongly promote the image of Dien Bien to international friends.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/le-hoi-nem-con-3-nuoc-viet-lao-trung-tro-lai-with-nhieu-hoat-dong-dac-sac-post1082196.vnp