HA NOI (VNS) — Various cultural activities are being held across the country to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day on September 2.

The culture tourism village of Vietnamese ethnic groups in Dong Mo on the outskirts of Ha Noi will host the National Day celebration of ethnic mountainous groups.

The five-day celebration, from September 2 to 6, will introduce visitors to traditional dances, music and folk games of every ethnic group living in the northern mountainous area.

A mountainous market, which best represents the cultural feature of mountainous ethnic groups, will be organised today in the village. Men and women from Mong, Ha Nhi, La Hu and Mang, as well as Si La, Muong and Thai groups will gather in the market, wearing their traditional costumes, to perform the khen (Mong ethnic bamboo flute) dance, and share a bowl of maize wine or a hot bowl of thang co, the traditional stewed horse meat dish of the Mong people.

Like the original mountainous market, the market in Ha Noi will also showcase handmade brocade products, musical instruments and jewellery. Visitors to the market can purchase dried agricultural products or sample ethnic specialties such as thang co, men men (steamed ground maize), tri-coloured steamed sticky rice and smoked meat, as well as roast chicken.

During the celebrations, some traditional customs of the ethnic people will be performed.

While the lễ vào nhà mới (ritual ceremony to enter a new house) of the Mang ethnic people will be held on Thursday afternoon (September 3), the lễ cúng bản ceremony of the La Hu people to pray for bumper crops will take place on Friday (September 4) morning.

A Ha Nhi ritual to pray for rain and a wedding ceremony of the Si La people will be organised on Sunday and Monday morning, respectively.

Activities in other provinces

In Hai Duong Province, the Hai Duong Cheo Theatre will present a traditional opera show on an open-air stage in Grand Square in Chi Linh Town tonight.

At the provincial museum, hundreds of people are visiting an ongoing exhibition of publications on the themes of the August Revolution and National Day. Talks and discussions on the same topics were also held here.

The province's Centre of Film Distribution and Screening has also organised mobile screenings for every commune, drawing hundreds of local residents.

Last night (Tuesday), a special art performance, entitled Bai Ca Dat Nuoc (The Song of Country), was staged on the Ho Chi Minh Square in Vinh City in the central Nghe An Province, also the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh.

More than 100 artists has performed during the art performance Bai Ca Dat Nuoc (The Song of Country), which was held last night in Vinh City in the central province of Nghe An – the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tung

More than 100 artists of the Nghe An Folk Dance and Music Troupe and many other provincial art troupes performed in the show, which was dedicated to late President Ho and his achievement in winning freedom for the country. The performance also praised Viet Nam's glorious history over thousands of years, as well as the beauty of the country and its people.

On the same day, in the northern Nam Dinh Province, about 200 amateur singers and musicians, who were bishops, Catholics and Buddhists, participated in an art exchange programme between followers of different religions.

They presented a special repertoire dedicated to the country and the cultural beauty of each religion in Viet Nam.

Hosted by the Committee of the Provincial Fatherland Front, the event was the first of its kind in the region.

In the Central Highlands Dak Nong Province, the fifth public art festival on the theme Songs Dedicated to the Party was held on August 31 and September 1.

About 400 performers from provincial administrations and armed forces based in the area presented a large repertoire of songs, dances and plays. — VNS