President Truong Tan Sang meets with and extends New Year greetings to people of various ethnic groups.

On February 15th, within the framework of the "Spring Festival Across the Nation" held at the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village (Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi), President Truong Tan Sang held a New Year's meeting and extended New Year greetings to representatives of ethnic minorities.

The President poses for a commemorative photo with representatives of ethnic minority groups.

The "Spring Festival Across the Nation" is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with various ministries, departments, and localities, starting in 2012. This event aims to demonstrate the Party and State leaders' concern for the beautiful customs and traditions of ethnic groups at the beginning of the new year. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for people of different ethnic groups to meet and interact with other ethnic groups, to witness festivals, and to immerse themselves in the sounds of the khene flute and circle dances… as a wish and blessing for a new year of flourishing trees, bountiful harvests, and a beautiful life.

This year's "Spring Festival Across the Nation" inherits, continues, and introduces new features, recreating the unique characteristics of the cultures of various ethnic groups at the beginning of spring. Besides festivals expressing aspirations and reverence for heaven, earth, and ancestors, there are also customs of some ethnic minorities being showcased for the first time in Hanoi, such as: the "husband-catching" custom of the Chu Ru people in Lam Dong province; the Spring horse racing festival of the Mong people in Lao Cai province; and the rice planting ceremony praying for a bountiful harvest in the new year of the Brau people…

In particular, the 2014 "Spring Festival Across the Nation" was honored to welcome President Truong Tan Sang, who visited and extended New Year greetings to encourage and motivate representatives of ethnic minorities, especially intellectuals, village elders, and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of national cultural values.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Truong Tan Sang extended his best wishes to the representatives of the ethnic groups present at the "Common House" of the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village. The President affirmed that the annual organization of the "Spring Festival Across the Nation" is an initiative that contributes to preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of the nation, consolidating and strengthening national unity. On the occasion of the New Year, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Truong Tan Sang hoped that the people of all ethnic groups would uphold their traditions, remain united, develop the economy, alleviate poverty, improve education, preserve and promote the cultural identity and fine traditions of the nation, and contribute to the building and development of the country.

On this occasion, President Truong Tan Sang presented gifts to the people at the "Common House" – the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Cultural and Tourism Village – expressing the affection and concern of the Party and State leaders. Representatives of the ethnic groups also presented the President with gifts reflecting the unique cultural characteristics of their respective ethnic groups.

After visiting and extending New Year greetings to representatives of ethnic minorities at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village, the President attended a ceremony praying for peace and favorable weather performed by the Lo Lo ethnic group of Ha Giang province, and planted a commemorative tree at the Central Highlands Square within the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village.

According to Hanoi Moi