A warm Tet holiday in the highlands of Chieng An.

These days, the Tet holiday atmosphere has arrived in the highland villages of Chieng An residential area, Chieng Hoa commune. Amidst the misty clouds, the pale pink peach blossoms and golden mustard flowers paint the hillsides, heralding a new spring full of hope. Tet not only brings the joy of family reunion but also ignites faith in a prosperous and happy new year for the people here.

After traversing winding mountain passes and rough, rocky roads, we finally arrived at Chiềng Ân village in Chiềng Hoa commune (formerly Chiềng Ân commune, Mường La district). From afar, the village, nestled halfway up the mountain, appeared hazy in the white clouds, its low wooden houses nestled among the green of the mountains and forests. Under the eaves of the houses, Hmong women were busily finishing embroidery on their new blouses. A highland region emerged, rustic and full of life.

A view of the center of Chiềng Ân residential area today.

Beside her old sewing machine, Ms. Thào Thị Váng and several other women in Lạng Xua village are busily embroidering and sewing traditional ethnic dresses and skirts. Ms. Váng said: "Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time when women have free time to make clothes for their families. It's also an opportunity for the whole family to go out, visit each other, and exchange New Year greetings."

Tet is a time when Hmong women embroider and sew clothes.

Arriving in Chieng An just as Chieng Hoa commune was organizing New Year celebrations for the local people, linked to the "Warm Tet for the Poor and Near-Poor Households" program, we were immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival in the highlands. Following the Mong boys and girls in their colorful traditional costumes to the festival venue, we felt even more strongly the lively and warm atmosphere of the Spring Festival, filled with the spirit of brotherhood in this still challenging area.

The "Warm Tet for Poor and Near-Poor Households" program in 2026.

The event, organized by the commune, featured many unique activities, beginning with a series of competitions including volleyball, tug-of-war, traditional games like tu lu, archery, and cultural performances. The continuous cheers, dances, and songs echoing through the mountains erased distances, connecting everyone in shared joy, creating memorable moments as they celebrated the Lunar New Year together.

A volleyball match at the event.

Mr. Thào A Páo Chua from Hán Trạng village happily said: "Our Hán Trạng village sports team has 19 athletes. After a day of exciting and dedicated competition, our team won two first prizes, one second prize, and one third prize in the various events. We are all very happy and excited, and we hope that the commune will continue to organize spring festival activities so that we can interact, learn, and improve our spiritual lives."

The traditional New Year's ceremony of the Hmong ethnic group in the Chieng An residential area, Chieng Hoa commune.

The highlight of the program is the traditional Mong New Year ceremony and the rice cake pounding competition. These are indispensable activities during the New Year celebrations of the Mong people here. The traditional ceremony is held in a sacred space, showing respect for the cultural roots and beliefs of the Mong people in the highlands, signifying a prayer for favorable weather, prosperity, and happiness for the family.

The teams competed in pounding rice cakes.

Leaders of Chiềng Hoa commune presented Tet gifts to poor households.

Along with cultural activities, the Party Committee and the local government of Chiềng Hoa commune presented 240 gifts to poor and near-poor households in the villages, with a total value of 72 million VND. Each gift, though not large in material value, contained timely care and encouragement, helping families alleviate difficulties and feel warmer during the Lunar New Year.

A cultural performance at the event.

The Chiềng Ân area comprises 6 villages, 566 households, and over 3,400 inhabitants, including the Mong and La Ha ethnic groups. Many households in the commune have reclaimed land to create terraced rice fields; utilized barren land to grow elephant grass for livestock feed; and improved areas of perennial hawthorn trees and planted cardamom under the forest canopy. To date, the people in this area maintain 150 hectares of upland rice, 105 hectares of seasonal rice, 140 hectares of corn, 170 hectares of fruit trees and hawthorn trees, nearly 30 hectares of cardamom, and raise over 4,200 head of livestock. Many households earn over 100 million VND per year.

Implementing the National Target Program for socio -economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the Chiềng Ân community has received support for agricultural production development; addressing the shortage of land, housing, and clean water. By 2025, 43 households had received support in the form of breeding cows; 275 households had received support in the form of water tanks. In addition, 45 households received support to replace temporary or dilapidated houses. Furthermore, the road from Pá Xa Hồng village to the Chiềng Ân area has been concreted and put into use, creating favorable conditions for people to travel and trade goods.

Mr. Cứ A Chu, Party Secretary and Head of Lạng Xua village, reported: The village has 209 households, with the people mainly cultivating corn and rice in paddy fields, and some households engaged in service businesses; more than 40 villagers work in industrial zones outside the province. In 2025, the village will receive government support to eliminate 5 temporary and dilapidated houses; more than 10 households will receive 20 breeding cows, and 20 households will be given water tanks for domestic use. The poverty rate in the village has decreased to 27.2%.

The people of Chiềng Ân commune are taking care of the hawthorn trees.

In a story from the early days of spring, Mr. Hoang Van Thai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Hoa commune, said: To create momentum for Chieng An, the commune's Party committee and government are submitting a request to competent authorities for funding to renovate and upgrade the road from the center of Chieng Hoa commune to the residential area of ​​Chieng An. At the same time, the commune continues to effectively implement funding from support programs and projects; paying attention to and caring for the people during Tet (Lunar New Year); organizing spring festivities and Tet celebrations; and encouraging people to strive in labor and production in the new year, improving their material and spiritual lives.

This spring, the people of the highland villages of Chiềng Ân celebrated a warmer and more fulfilling Tet than last year. The heartfelt gifts, preserved traditional cultural practices, and strengthened spirit of solidarity have further motivated the villagers to enter the new year 2026 with faith and aspirations to improve their lives, strive to increase their income, and sustainably eradicate poverty.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/tet-am-vung-cao-chieng-an-Z341f8HDR.html