The land of "five seasons of festivals"

In the heart of Northwest Vietnam, as spring arrives, Lao Cai emerges as a harmonious symphony of mountains, forests, and culture. In this land, festivals not only follow the cycle of the four seasons but also resonate deeply within a unique "season"—the season of love—creating a vibrant and emotionally rich cultural space. Therefore, every spring, Lao Cai is affectionately known as the land of "five seasons of festivals."

In the heart of Northwest Vietnam, as spring arrives, Lao Cai emerges as a harmonious symphony of mountains, forests, and culture. In this land, festivals not only follow the cycle of the four seasons but also resonate deeply within a unique "season"—the season of love—creating a vibrant and emotionally rich cultural space. Therefore, every spring, Lao Cai is affectionately known as the land of "five seasons of festivals."

As spring arrives, the pale pink peach blossoms and white plum blossoms burst forth throughout the villages, bringing with them the vibrant atmosphere of the biggest festivals of the year. The Lunar New Year of the Kinh people blends with the traditional New Year celebrations of ethnic minorities such as the Mong, Dao, Tay, and Giay, creating a colorful tapestry of spring.

The vibrant festive atmosphere, filled with distinctive traditional cultural colors, contributes to Lao Cai's unique appeal as a destination for tourists.

Festivals such as Gau Tao, Xuong Dong, and Put Tong are not only rituals for seeking blessings and peace, but also opportunities for community gatherings and bonding, where young men and women find love amidst the melodious sounds of the khene flute, simple love songs, and vibrant colors of traditional brocade skirts in the mountains and forests.

When the mountains and forests are lush and green, summer opens up a space for harmony between humans and nature. Rituals to pray for a good harvest, worship the forest, and worship water are held solemnly, reflecting the philosophy of harmonious living and gratitude to heaven and earth of the ethnic communities.

Also during the summer, many vibrant festivals and experiential events take place: the indigenous cultural space in Sa Pa, Fansipan, the "Waterfall Season," the Tam Hoa plum festival in Bac Ha, the bustling highland markets filled with laughter, or the galloping horses across the white plateau… all contribute to the free-spirited and unrestrained lifestyle of the mountainous region.

As autumn arrives, Lao Cai is adorned with the golden hue of ripening rice on its magnificent terraced fields. This is the season of the New Rice Festival, the Golden Harvest Festival, when plump rice grains are offered to ancestors, and the joy of abundance spreads from every household to a grand village gathering. Amidst the sounds of the khene flute, the xòe dance, and warm cups of corn wine, locals and tourists hold hands, sharing the feeling of togetherness and connection.

As winter arrives, Lao Cai is shrouded in fog and the biting cold of the highlands, yet it is warmed by spiritual rituals and gatherings around the campfire, where stories of origins and villages are quietly and deeply shared and passed down.

If the four seasons of nature are measured by sunshine, rain, flowers, and fruits, then in Lao Cai there is a season not found on a calendar: the season of love. A season that doesn't begin on a specific day, nor does it end when the months close, but exists year-round, quietly and persistently.

If the four seasons of nature are measured by sunshine, rain, flowers, and fruits, then in Lao Cai there is a season not found on the calendar: the season of love.

The season of love is present in the misty love markets, in the sound of the flute calling out to lovers, in the strong corn wine, and in the circle dances brimming with affection. It's not just about romantic love, but also about people's love for the mountains and forests, for their villages, and for the borderlands.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “What captivated me wasn't just the beautiful scenery, but the feeling of living at a slower pace in the festival atmosphere. There, I wasn't just observing, but immersing myself in community life, eating, staying, and having fun with the local people. When I left Lao Cai, what remained wasn't just the photos, but a lingering feeling that's hard to describe – a warm, affectionate feeling, as if I were carrying a part of the human kindness of the mountains and forests with me.”

Besides being captivated by the magnificent scenery, an increasing number of international tourists are coming to Lao Cai because they want to experience the vibrant local festivals.

“I was deeply impressed by the experience of celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) with the Hmong ethnic group. Here, I not only learned about their unique customs and traditions, but also truly experienced community life: sharing a Tet meal, listening to the sound of the flute heralding the arrival of spring echoing through the mountains, and fully feeling the warmth and sincerity of the people. It was a special experience, a truly wonderful feeling for me.”

Mr. Klemm - German tourist

These original cultural values ​​have become an important foundation for Lao Cai's tourism to maintain sustainable growth. By 2025, the total number of visitors to Lao Cai is expected to reach 10.5 million, an increase of 1.41% compared to 2024 and exceeding the annual plan by 102.5%. Of this total, approximately 9.04 million will be domestic tourists and 1.46 million will be international tourists. Total tourism revenue is projected to reach 46,000 billion VND, an increase of 61.4% compared to 2024, making a practical contribution to the socio-economic recovery and development of the locality.

According to Mr. Nong Viet Yen, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province, it is the authenticity and cultural depth that create the unique appeal of the local festival.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the unique cultural atmosphere of Lao Cai – a land known as the "land of five seasons of festivals," where vibrant traditional events take place throughout the year.

Mr. Yen stated: "The special feature of Lao Cai festivals is their close connection with the community life of the ethnic groups. Most festivals originate from the spiritual, religious, and production needs of the people, thus possessing authenticity, rich emotion, and enduring vitality across generations. This is also an important factor attracting tourists. Besides the four seasons of festivals associated with nature, Lao Cai also has a 'fifth season - the season of love.' This represents the depth of culture and humanistic values ​​that spread from the festivals into daily life."

The province identifies festivals as a "soft axis" connecting culture with tourism; each festival season will be a complete cultural story, so that when mentioning Lao Cai, tourists will not only remember the beautiful scenery, but also the people, the emotions, and the very unique festival seasons.

In the land of Lao Cai, festivals not only mark the passage of time but also quietly nurture the human spirit. The "five seasons of festivals"—including the season of love—have woven together a Lao Cai that is both rich in identity and deeply emotional. It is a place where every step brings a sense of wonder, and every departure leaves behind a memory difficult to put into words. And then, when spring arrives, in the memories of each person, a beloved Lao Cai emerges—a borderland beautiful not only for its scenery but also warm with its festivals, its people, and a season of love that always lingers...

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/mien-dat-5-mua-le-hoi-post893796.html