Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands.

(Chinhphu.vn) - In the early days of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the highland villages of Northern Vietnam resounded with the sounds of drums, flutes, and laughter. From An Thanh village (Lao Cai), Ham Xoong village on the Dien Bien border, to Bach Thong commune (Thai Nguyen), traditional rice planting festivals took place simultaneously, marking the beginning of a new planting season with the hope of favorable weather and a prosperous life.

Báo Chính Phủ•26/02/2026

Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands - Photo 1.

Bat Xat holds a festival, heralding a season of abundance and prosperity.

In An Thanh village, Bat Xat commune, Lao Cai province, hundreds of people in vibrant traditional costumes gathered to attend the Giay people's Roong Pooc (Going Down to the Fields) festival. This festival is held annually on the first Dragon day of the new year – a ritual marking the beginning of a production cycle.

In this sacred space, the ritual of offering incense and worshipping the God of Agriculture is performed solemnly. The fragrant incense sticks, mingled with the morning mist, are like prayers sent to heaven and earth, hoping for a year of favorable weather and abundant harvests.

Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands - Photo 2.

Scenes from the Rice Planting Festival in Bat Xat commune, Lao Cai province.

Mr. Ngo Hoang Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bat Xat commune, said: "The 'Going Down to the Fields' festival is a beautiful cultural and spiritual tradition, a precious heritage with strong folk characteristics preserved by the Giay people through generations. This is not only an occasion to offer thanks to heaven and earth but also a festival for people to meet, socialize, strengthen solidarity, and together embark on the new season with enthusiasm."

Besides the solemn ceremony, the festival is also lively with many folk games, such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, blindfolded duck catching, throwing the ball, and plowing competitions… Cheers resound continuously whenever the plow cuts the first furrow of the year, symbolizing a prosperous beginning.

The food stalls run by local people became a special highlight. Colorful sticky rice, grilled stream fish, and traditional rice wine were beautifully presented, both rustic and sophisticated. The festival not only preserved traditions but also contributed to promoting culture, fostering a spirit of hard work and competition, and promoting sustainable poverty reduction.

Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands - Photo 3.

The festival part was lively with many folk games, such as: tug-of-war, stick pushing, blindfolded duck catching, throwing the ball, rice field plowing competition…

Bustling activity at Gầu Tào on the Nà Bủng border.

At the same time, in Ham Xoong village, Na Bung commune, Dien Bien province, the 2026 Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people took place in a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere. It began with the ritual of erecting the ceremonial pole, followed by prayers for blessings and wishes for peace and a bountiful harvest.

Mr. Ho A Pao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Bung commune and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, shared: "The Gau Tao Festival has significant meaning in the spiritual life of the people. Organizing the festival aims to preserve and promote traditional values, strengthen unity, and promote the image of our homeland, contributing to the development of tourism and socio-economic development."

Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands - Photo 4.

The 2026 Gầu Tào Festival of the Mong ethnic group in Na Bung commune, Dien Bien province.

The festival truly "exploded" with competitions such as climbing the ceremonial pole to pick lucky branches, pounding sticky rice cakes, catching ducks, and cultural exchanges between villages. In particular, the "Run to Conquer Ngai Thau Peak" competition attracted a large number of young people. Winning the competition, Mr. Dang A De (from Tren Nuong village) enthusiastically said: "I practiced every day and today I achieved my goal of coming first. I am very happy and proud. This is a meaningful playground for the villagers and tourists. If it is organized again next year, I will definitely register to participate."

The food competition area between the villages was also packed with people. Ms. Sung Thi Dua (Na Coc 1 village) shared while introducing her traditional feast, which included local chicken, local duck, snails cooked with beans, men men (corn porridge), and corn wine: "Men men is a dish passed down from our elders and is indispensable in the feast. Today, our village is bringing these dishes to share and for everyone to understand more about the cuisine of the Mong ethnic group."

Not only locals, but many tourists were also captivated. Mr. Nguyen Van Vui expressed: "This is the first time I've participated in such a unique festival. I tried the men men dish for the first time and found it very delicious. The atmosphere here is truly wonderful and meaningful."

Lồng Tông – a spring rendezvous in Bạch Thông

In Bach Thong commune, Thai Nguyen province, the Long Tong Spring Festival 2026 (Year of the Horse) was held over two days, February 24-25 (the 8th-9th day of the first lunar month). "Long Tong" in the Tay language means "going down to the fields" – a festival marking the beginning of the new farming season. The ceremony included offering incense, praying for a good harvest and blessings, and the ritual of plowing the first furrow of the year – sacred rituals preserved through generations.

Mr. Nguyen Vu Mao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bach Thong commune, said: "This year's festival stands out with its solemn ceremony and vibrant festivities such as the spring camp, folk games, volleyball tournament, 'Spring Rice Planting' competition, ethnic cuisine competition… creating a spirit of labor competition right from the beginning of the year."

The spring festival area is the most vibrant space. Each village erects a tent made of bamboo and reeds, recreating traditional daily life. Inside, there is an exhibition area for agricultural products and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products such as oranges, tangerines, golden flower tea, etc., both promoting products and showcasing the local economic potential.

Opening the harvest festival, awakening spring in the highlands - Photo 5.

In Bach Thong commune, Thai Nguyen province, the Long Tong Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse 2026 was held over two days, February 24-25 (the 8th-9th day of the first lunar month).

The thread that binds the community together.

The common thread among festivals from Bat Xat and Na Bung to Bach Thong is a spirit of returning to one's roots and a yearning for prosperity. More than just a cultural event at the beginning of the year, these festivals are also opportunities for communities to meet, connect, and strengthen the unity of ethnic groups.

In modern life, maintaining and revitalizing folk festivals is a way to preserve the essence of our culture. From the ritual of plowing the fields and erecting the ceremonial pole to traditional dishes, everything conveys gratitude to nature and faith in the future. Each spring, the festival becomes a sacred link between ancient values and present aspirations, between our roots and the flow of development.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/mo-hoi-xuong-dong-danh-thuc-mua-xuan-vung-cao-102260224151037264.htm