Come to Lai Chau to enjoy the Bun Voc Nam Festival.

On March 23rd, the 5th Bun Voc Nam Festival (Water Splashing Festival) of the Lao ethnic group was held in Na Van village (Na Tam commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province), attracting a large number of locals and tourists.

The Bun Vốc Nặm festival in Lai Châu attracts a large number of locals and tourists.

The Bun Vốc Nặm festival consists of two parts: the ceremonial part and the festive part. The ceremonial part reenacts the harvest prayer ceremony, the rain prayer ceremony, the xòe dance, and the water splashing. The ceremony begins with offerings to the deities, including: pigs, chickens, sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng), wine, tea, sticky rice, sugarcane, bananas, fruits, and sweets. After the offerings are made, the shaman begins performing the rituals to worship the deities.

At the end of the ceremony, the shaman stepped forward and gave the order for the procession to go and collect rainwater to offer to the Buddha statues in the temple. The procession went to collect rainwater from families that had been selected by the village. These families had had a bountiful harvest, prosperous businesses, and happy, comfortable lives the past year.

Families in the village gathered rainwater and stood on either side of the road, splashing it onto the procession with the hope of contributing water to offer to the Buddha statue and praying for good fortune, health, and prosperity in the new year.

When the procession carrying water and flowers arrived at the temple, the shaman, holding two incense sticks, entered the temple to perform the incense offering rituals; then he received offerings from the village elders to present to the temple.

After the offerings are made, the shaman allows the procession to enter the temple to offer flowers and water. Two flower offerings are followed by one watering, continuing until all the flowers have been offered.

Next is the ritual of washing the Buddha statue, with the hope of purifying it, washing away all the dust and dirt of the past year, and praying for the freshest and cleanest things in the new year. The priest begins the rain-praying ceremony; then the entire procession circles the temple three times before allowing everyone to sing and dance in front of the temple.

Finally, delegates, tourists, and locals gathered at the Nam Mu stream to participate in the Lao people's water-splashing festival, praying for a new year filled with health, peace, a bountiful harvest, and abundant good fortune.

The Lao ethnic group in Tam Duong district mainly lives along streams and in areas with abundant water, which is favorable for agricultural production. Although the population is not large, the cultural and spiritual life of the people here has many unique, rich, and diverse characteristics typical of the Lao ethnic group in Northwest Vietnam.

Since ancient times, the Lao people have highly valued water, considering it an essential need for human life and all living things. From this aspiration, the Lao people have relied on "pha" and "din" (meaning heaven and earth) to pray for favorable weather, happiness in every home, and prosperity for all things. This is the origin and tradition of the Lao people's rain-praying custom, known as the Bun Vok Nam Festival or Water Festival.

The festival features many activities that attract locals and tourists, such as: cultural exchanges, stream fishing competitions, raft racing, culinary competitions, bamboo basket weaving competitions, and traditional folk games (throwing the ball, starting with footwork, blindfolded gong smashing, balancing on a bridge, etc.) that reflect the unique cultural identity of the Lao people.

Nguyen Thi Nguyet, a tourist from Vinh Phuc province, said that she and her family had learned about the Lao festival through friends and decided to participate this year. The festival atmosphere was very lively and joyful. She was impressed with the local people's costumes, which were beautiful and elaborate. The elderly even dyed their teeth black. There are many unique cultural aspects here worth experiencing.

According to Mr. Vang Van Keo, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Tam commune, Na Tam is a commune where nearly 100% of the population are ethnic Lao people. The daily life of the people here has many unique cultural features that have been preserved to this day, including the Bun Voc Nam festival - a traditional ritual of the Lao people.

This festival is held annually to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and good health for all.

(according to VNA)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ve-lai-chau-vui-le-hoi-bun-voc-nam-265234.html