Intangible cultural heritage festival kicks off in Tuyen Quang

Local people make giant lanterns for a parade during the Thanh Tuyen Festival (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

This is the first time the festival has been held in the province, giving locals and tourists the chance to enjoy unique art performances.

The four-day event is expected to attract people from all over the country featuring globally-recognised Thua Thien–Hue’s nha nhac (royal court music), the gong culture of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), Bac Ninh’s quan ho (love duet), ca tru (ceremonial singing) and xoan singing (spring songs from Phu Tho province).

Also in Tuyen Quang province, the Thanh Tuyen Festival is taking place, which is known as a festival of giant lanterns. It will feature a number of international delegations and embassies.

The annual festival will take place from September 20-23 to honour and promote local culture and art, according to Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

The opening ceremony will be held on September 21, with an art performance.

Other activities include historic and cultural exhibitions, food presentations, sports and a conference about preserving and promoting intangible heritages with tourism development.

The festival started in 2004 when some families modeled and decorated a few big animal lanterns which were dragged along the street with a lion dance and song.

This was a big hit with children and adults alike and gradually evolved into the festival it has become today.

Families would make modes of fish, rabbits and dragons.

The festival also became a cultural specialty of Tuyen Quang and was recorded by Vietnamese Guinness Records as having the biggest lanterns in Vietnam.

As the years passed, lanterns became more beautiful and more sophisticated with many new styles but not forgetting the traditional roots. Thanks to this event, Tuyen Quang attracts hundred thousand visitors.

“Beyond the meaning of a unique cultural festival, the Thanh Tuyen Festival is a chance to introduce the tourism potential as Tuyen Quang houses many beautiful destinations, cultural heritages and historical vestiges,” said Anh.