Attending the opening ceremony were Major General Tran Anh Vu – Deputy Director of the People's Security Academy ( Ministry of Public Security ), Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Vinh – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lai Chau province, Mr. Tong Thanh Hai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lai Chau province, Head of the Festival Organizing Committee; representatives of leaders of departments, agencies, organizations, and armed forces of Lai Chau province; delegates from Jinping County, Yunnan Province (China), representatives from Muong Lay ward (Dien Bien province)...
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tong Thanh Hai – Standing Vice Chairman of the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee – emphasized: The festival's activities not only carry profound spiritual significance but also affirm the important role of culture in social life; serving as a bridge between the past, present, and future; between preservation and development; and between culture and the economy , especially tourism.
Mr. Tong Thanh Hai expressed his hope that the Thai ethnic people in particular, and the people of all ethnic groups in Lai Chau province and the whole country in general, will continue to promote their role as cultural subjects, preserving and transmitting the beautiful traditional cultural values of their ethnic groups; so that culture truly becomes the spiritual foundation and important resource for the sustainable development of the locality and the country.
The Thai ethnic group in Lai Chau in general, and Khong Lao commune in particular, possesses an incredibly rich, diverse, and distinctive cultural and artistic heritage. Among these, the "Then Kin Pang" festival is a unique cultural feature and a distinctive form of folk performance.
According to Thai folklore, Then is the representative who prays to the gods in heaven, bestowing blessings upon the people, granting favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peace and prosperity to the villages. To commemorate and express gratitude for Then's contributions, the Thai people annually hold a festival celebrating Then at the beginning of spring. Through many historical ups and downs, since 2000, the Then Kin Pang Festival has been restored and regularly held. Over more than two decades, the festival has increasingly affirmed its cultural value, spiritual depth, and strong influence within the community.
To continue preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage, and to enhance the image of Lai Chau's homeland and people, the 2026 Then Kin Pang Festival will be organized on a provincial scale, with the participation of numerous artisans, performers, and athletes from the provinces of Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Son La, Muong Lay ward (Dien Bien province); communes and wards within the province; and international delegations from Kim Binh district.
The festival takes place over two days (April 25-26) (corresponding to the 9th and 10th days of the third lunar month), encompassing both ceremonial and festive activities, with a rich variety of events reflecting the unique cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group, such as: the Then worship ritual; traditional costume performances; performances of ancient Xoe dances; Ap Ho Pang performances; cultural and culinary experiences; sports competitions and folk games.
At the Then Kin Pang Festival, visitors not only immerse themselves in the unique traditional culture of the Thai ethnic group but also directly experience and enjoy the quintessential values of two intangible cultural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO: Thai Xoe dance and Then practice. This contributes to raising awareness and responsibility within the community in preserving and promoting traditional cultural heritage values.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/loi-then-vong-mai.html
