YEN BAI (VNS) — Nghia Lo Town, Mu Cang Chai, Van Chan and Tram Tau districts in the northwest province of Yen Bai will hold cultural and tourism weeks from September 12-20.

Nghia Lo will organise the Muong Lo cultural and tourism week from September 12-16. The week highlights include a ceremony to honour xoe dances of Thai ethnic minority, a buffalo fighting contest, a culinary contest and a trade, tourism and food fair.

Xoe dances in Nghia Lo's Muong Lo are performed by men and women holding hands to form a circle. The dance has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

From September 17-20, Mu Cang Chai District will hold a cultural and tourism week with several activities, including a goat-fighting contest, Mong pan pipe contest, a highland market fair and eco-biology tours.

The province residents include many ethnic minorities like the Thai, Tay, Hung La and Ha Nhi. Among the sightseeing areas is the San Tuyet ancient tea tree area, covering 300ha in Nghia Lo's Suoi Giang area. Many of the tea trees are more than 300 years old.

Now is ideal time to visit Yen Bai as it is the rice harvest season. The terraced fields in Nghia Lo's Muong Lo and Mu Cang Chai District look picturesque. — VNS