Mong Ky Son village celebrates Tet.

(Baonghean) - When the hillsides burst into bloom with the red of peach blossoms and the white of apricot and plum blossoms, and when the biting cold of late winter still lingers in the forests at the edge of the villages, the Mong people of Ky Son, along with other ethnic groups across the country, are bustling with preparations to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year...

These days in Ky Son, the air is thick with mist. It's hard to tell if it's mist or drizzle. But despite the mist and cold air, the peach and plum trees in the orchards are beginning to bud. The village elders and young men all say: Lunar New Year has arrived. The family of Mr. Gia Giong Re, 83 years old this year, father of martyr Gia Ba Cha, residing in Pha Lech Phay village, Dooc May commune, Ky Son district, seems much happier. This year, his family is celebrating Tet in a house built with gratitude by the Party, the State, the government, and the people for the relatives of those who have rendered meritorious service. Not only Mr. Re's family, but also other poor households, those with particularly difficult circumstances, and families of policy beneficiaries in Ky Son district are receiving support and assistance from agencies, departments, organizations, and units inside and outside the province, helping to alleviate their daily hardships so they can have a warmer and more joyful Tet.

Mong ethnic people in Huoi Vieng village, Dooc May commune, Ky Son district, make sticky rice cakes to celebrate the New Year. Photo: Hai Thuong.

Old Man Re shared: “This year, the Party and the State built a new house for me on the old land. I also received attention and gifts from district and commune officials and various departments on holidays throughout the year. I am very happy and excited to receive such care!”

Previously, the Mong people of Ky Son celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) separately after the harvest was complete. Following the Party and State's propaganda and mobilization efforts, the Mong people now celebrate Tet together with the rest of Vietnam. However, the Mong Tet still retains its unique characteristics. On the morning of the 30th day of the lunar month, in a large, flat area, the entire clan gathers to plant a New Year's pole (cay neu) to perform the Gau Su ceremony (also known as the exorcism ceremony), warding off bad luck and praying for good fortune in the new year.

The Hmong people (Kỳ Sơn) perform the Hmong flute dance during the Spring Festival.

Mr. Ho Chong Po from Tay Son commune explained: The moment of New Year's Eve for the Mong people in Ky Son is marked by the first rooster crow. Starting from the night of the 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year's Eve), everyone sits waiting to welcome the New Year. People sit by the hearth, the fire blazing, reminiscing about the past year or singing traditional songs to welcome the Spring. For the Mong people, the hearth is traditionally indispensable during the three days of Tet; they always keep it burning brightly day and night. The elders say that the fire burns to warm the ancestors when they return to celebrate Tet and also to keep everyone warm, warding off the biting cold of the highlands. The Mong people celebrate Tet for three main days, while other festivities continue until the 15th day of the first lunar month.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, family members visit and wish longevity to the elderly in the clan. Siblings and relatives, both near and far, visit each other's families to exchange greetings and pray for a healthy and peaceful new year, a bountiful harvest, and children who excel in their studies. From the second and third days onwards, the festivities and celebrations begin. From early morning, in the open fields, traditional folk games such as throwing the po po, tug-of-war, archery, playing the khene (a type of flute), and performing cultural shows take place. In addition, buffalo and bull fights among the men and young boys are indispensable. Springtime is also an occasion for young men and women to excitedly pick bauhinia flowers, passionately participate in the enchanting circle dance, and exchange love songs and promises. “During the main Tet holiday, in each family, the feast is always prepared in advance by the women of the family and ready to welcome guests. Drinking in a circle is a very unique custom of the Hmong people in general. Through the strong wine, they send each other good wishes as the village enters the new year,” said Mr. Mua Ba Vu, Head of Son Ha village, Ta Ca commune.

"This Tet (Lunar New Year), the Hmong people of Huoi Tu commune are the happiest!" the villagers of Huoi Dun exclaimed. They were happy because the national power grid had reached their village, allowing them to celebrate Tet on a grander scale. At night, the peach and plum blossoms in the gardens shimmered even more brightly under the electric lights. The biting cold of winter seemed to be dispelled by the joy of the people of Huoi Dun. Electricity illuminated their hearts, igniting the dreams and plans cherished for years. Visiting the family of Mrs. Ho Y Tru in Huoi Dun village, we saw them decorating their ancestral altar in preparation for the New Year. This year, with the arrival of electricity, her family bought a set of string lights, a computer for her son, and many other electrical appliances. As Tet arrived and spring came, the villagers rejoiced at the arrival of electricity. Mrs. Y Tru's house was always crowded with visitors; the women and mothers would chat, share stories, and watch Hmong movies and music together. Mrs. Tru proudly showed off the electrical wiring installed in her house by the Ky Son Power Company's staff, as well as the new electrical appliances her family had recently purchased. The Mong woman's eyes shone with joy and pride. She excitedly said, "This year our village has electricity, no more darkness like before. This year is wonderful. We bought a TV and many other things. Now, when we come home late from the fields, cooking is much faster with electricity. With a TV, we can see everything they're doing. We can follow their methods... Thank you to the government and the Party for caring about the lives of the villagers."

Like Mrs. Y Trừ's family, Mr. Lỳ Bá Sểnh's family in the central village of Huồi Tụ commune has been running an electronics repair kiosk for nine years. Many years ago, before electricity, his family mainly relied on water and electricity for daily life and maintaining and repairing electrical equipment (using mini-electric generators). On rainy days, when the water level rose and there was no electricity, all his work came to a standstill, resulting in lower income. This year, with the arrival of the power grid, and recognizing the demand for equipment like speakers, radios, televisions, and DVD players, Mr. Sểnh's family invested in more items to sell before Tet (Lunar New Year). His wife is a seamstress, and he bought an electric motor so she wouldn't have to pedal manually as before. The arrival of electricity has not only brightened the lives of the Hmong people in Huồi Tụ commune, but perhaps the most excited are the teachers and students. The classrooms are now brightly lit, replacing the old oil lamps, to facilitate teaching and learning at night. Teacher Nguyen Van Dang, Principal of Huoi Tu Ethnic Boarding Junior High School, said: “We are very excited to have electricity. All school activities and students' learning are more convenient. Thanks to this, the overall quality of education at the school has improved significantly.”

This year, it seems that Spring and Tet (Lunar New Year) arrived earlier and were more joyful for the Mong people in the villages of Ky Son... This Spring comes from the concern of the community, society, and the government throughout the past month for the poor, the poor villages, and the poor communes on the mountain slopes of the border region...

Hong Thoa