Celebrate the rice season in Mu Cang Chai

In the rural district of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province, northeastern region, the harvest season in mid-September is the most important event of the year and is celebrated as such.

The area is populated by the H’Mong – a group of minority people who live their lives around rice and corn cultivation.

This area’s rice cultivation is very different from the deltas of Mekong and Hong rivers, as there is only one harvest season and the rice productivity here is not as high as in the deltas.

Every year, the H’Mong will flood the fields that are built on the slope of the hills, to prepare for the planting of seeds in April or May and wait four months until harvest. The harvest season comes early or late depending on the weather.

In recent years, the authorities of Mu Cang Chai have held a celebration ceremony at harvest time, usually in the middle of September. The event attracts tourists to enjoy the splendid scenery of the mountainous area as well as the typical culture there.

Endless green rice fi elds on the slopes of hillsi

A H’Mong boy signs ‘hello’ to foreign and local tourists - Photos: Pham Tha

Vietnam’s image promoted in Cuba

 The Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba in conjunction with the Asia House Museum held a ceremony on September 5 to introduce a publication of the Vietnam News Agency – the Vietnam Pictorial.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong underscored the socio-political significance of the issuance Spanish version of the Vietnam Pictorial in Cuba , which is expected to help people in Cuba and other America Latin countries have more understanding of foreign policies of the Vietnamese Party and Government. 
The publication, which will be release every two months, will feature the tradition and custom of Vietnamese ethnic groups, as well as the process of socio-economic development of Vietnam, Cong said. 

Prensa Latina News Agency Vice President Felix Albisu stressed that the Vietnam Pictorial will help strengthen the traditional relationships and solidarity between the two nations. 

The event was followed by an exhibition entitled “ Vietnam- the Country and the People”. 

Source: Vietnamtourism News

 

Boat race on Tam Giang Lagoon

Vietnam’s Independence Day on September 2 annually holds a boat race on Tam Giang Lagoon in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

 

Boat race on Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon on September 2

The event, organised by people in Vinh Hien Commune, Phu Loc District, is a vivid example of local cultural life.

Vinh Hien Commune is located on the area of the Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon which runs to the Tu Dung Estuary.

The Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon covers 21,600ha and is home to 230 fish species, 63 benthos, 43 kinds of seaweed, 70 bird varieties and many other kinds of sea creatures. It is the largest and the most diverse lagoons in Southeast Asia.

Most of people in Vinh Hien Commune live off fishing and aquaculture. The annual boat race is aimed to wish for favourable weather, peace and wealth, good crops and catches.

The boat course runs some 700 metres. Before leaving the departure point or after reaching the finish, each boat has to move around a bamboo stick put under the middle of the race route. The stick is about 30 metres from the departure point.

Boats from the competitor’s families line the race route. A number of households sell confectionery, food and drink, creating an atmosphere similar to a floating market.

 

After three rolls of drum, boats leave the starting point

 

Going around the bamboo stick requires care

 

Moving around the stick after reaching the finish

 

 

 

Cheering

 

Cups for the winners

Hoang Su Phi terraced fields recognised as national heritage

 

According to Ha Giang provincial People’s Committee, the province will organize a ceremony on September 16th 2012 to receive the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on recognizing Hoang Su Phi terraced fields as national heritage.
The ceremony will be broadcast live of VTV channel of the Vietnam Television. An exhibition on economic and cultural products in the district will be held on this occasion.
The event aims to preserve the fields and promote their tourism potential.
Hoang Su Phi terraced field is situated on six communes and established hundreds of year ago by labour force of the community and people of La Chi, Dao and Nung ethnic minority groups.
The fields were among the sites recently recongnised by the MoCST as significant parts of the nation’s heritage, including three other landscapes: the Trang An caves in Ninh Binh province, the Pusamcap cave system in Lai Chau province, and the Chua Tien caves in Hoa Binh province./.
 
Source: CPV