The Phu Dinh festival grounds are bustling with activity.

Thai Nguyen, a borderland and cradle of the revolution, is also a haven for diverse ethnic communities. Visiting the Dinh Hoa Revolutionary Base Area on this occasion (December 9th and 10th), tourists not only reconnect with historical roots but also immerse themselves in a multi-layered and vibrant cultural space.

In early winter, the weather in the ATK (Vietnamese Resistance Zone) is cold but still sunny. The beautiful scenery makes people feel even more joyful as the 2025 Traditional Culture and Arts Exchange Festival of Ethnic Minorities in Thai Nguyen Province is taking place here. Within the historical ATK, the festival has become a meeting point for the ethnic communities of the province, where cultural heritage is retold through the vibrant rhythms of the present; where the traditional sli, luon, and sang co songs are sung...

A performance of the traditional bowl dance (Tay ethnic group) by the delegation from Vo Nhai commune, Thai Nguyen province.

A "harmony" amidst the mountains and forests.

On the morning of December 10th, after the incense offering ceremony commemorating President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap at De Pass (Phu Dinh commune), the festival space came alive with the distinctive sounds of the melodious tẩu string instrument and the lively luon singing. Nearly 200 artisans and amateur performers from the communes of Phu Dinh, Phu Luong, Dong Hy, Nam Hoa, Vo Nhai, Duc Xuan, etc., brought to the festival the "treasures" of their respective ethnic groups.

On the main stage, the audience felt like they were enjoying a lavish "feast." While the Tay people in Phu Dinh, Dinh Hoa, and Vo Nhai brought a sacred and mystical atmosphere through the "Ancient Then Prayer for Peace" dance and the graceful movements of the bowl dance and ceremonial dance, the San Chay people in Phu Luong commune enlivened the atmosphere with the Tac Xinh dance, a famous harvest prayer dance that has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The stalls display traditional products and specialties from various localities in Thai Nguyen province.

Moreover, traditional melodies, once thought to only echo around the hearths of old stilt houses, are now proudly sung among the ethnic groups. These include the smooth "Gratitude to the Party" sli dance of the Nung people in Van Han commune, the poignant and romantic soong co song of the San Diu people in Nam Hoa commune, and the simple pao dung dance and "Going to the Fields" dance of the Dao people in Phu Dinh commune.

In particular, the performances of the Then folk songs "Uncle Ho Returns to the Viet Bac War Zone" and "Then Songs Dedicated to the Party" not only showcased the skillful techniques of the artists but also expressed the profound gratitude of the people of various ethnic groups to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.

Ms. Trinh Thi Huong, a resident of Phu Dinh commune, couldn't hide her emotion: "These past few days, the people living around this area have been as happy as during Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Since the 9th, we've been able to watch performances by the National Traditional Theatre and visit the food stalls. Today, we got to see the women and mothers dancing and singing on the big stage, and we feel so proud. Our cultural heritage is so beautiful!"

A fun event that connects the community.

While the performances evoked aesthetic emotions, the festivities with folk games erased all barriers, bringing everyone back to their innocent selves. At the stadium at the foot of De Pass, the excited cheers and shouts of encouragement echoed loudly and vibrantly during the games.

Bird hunting - a fun and popular game among the San Chay women of Phu Luong commune.

Stepping out of the ball-throwing game, Mr. Tran Van Thao (from Phu Dinh commune) smiled brightly, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Mr. Thao was the first lucky person to successfully throw the ball, sending it through the circle on the towering ceremonial pole during the opening ceremony of the festival.

“The fruit flying through the circle is an auspicious sign, heralding a year of favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. The reward is a simple feast at the festival, but for me, it's a great blessing. As a local, seeing visitors from all over come here to celebrate, I feel a responsibility to preserve and spread this beautiful tradition even more, starting within my own family,” shared Mr. Tran Van Thao.

In another corner, a crowd was gathered around the area where swallows were being fought – a fun and popular game among San Chay women.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thach (from Phu Luong commune), holding a birdcage, excitedly explained: “The birdcage looks similar to the badminton shuttlecocks used by the Kinh people, but the base is made of woven coconut leaves, and the chicken feathers are tied together with small bamboo tubes. This game doesn't involve fierce competition; players just aim to hit the birdcage back and forth with their hands so that it flies high and doesn't fall to the ground. For us San Chay women, playing this birdcage game during Tet and festivals is to strengthen bonds and hone our dexterity, not to compete.”

Crossing a monkey bridge requires a high degree of balance.

Perhaps the most exciting and technically demanding areas are the stilt walking and monkey bridge activities. Mr. Ha Van Chung (from Nam Hoa commune) demonstrated his nimble steps on towering stilts while sharing his secret: To have good stilts, you must choose old, solid bamboo to withstand the weight. Stilt walkers need not only physical strength but also composure and balance in every step. In the past, our ancestors used stilts to cross streams and go into the forest; now, bringing them to the festival is to remind future generations of the ingenuity and hardship of their forefathers.

Stilt walking is also a way for descendants to remember the creativity and hardships of their ancestors.

As night falls, campfires blaze amidst the ATK mountains and forests. Hand in hand, Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao, San Chay people... join together in a large circle. In the flickering firelight, all boundaries are erased, leaving only the sublime spirit of solidarity. And from this festival, the cultural heritage of the "Capital of the Thousand Winds" will continue to flow, enriching the souls of future generations.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/ron-rangsan-hoi-phu-dinh-cd421bb/