The highlands welcome the new year!

(Baonghean)-When plum blossoms blanket the forests in white and peach blossoms display their vibrant pink hues, it's time for the highlanders to welcome spring, with villages everywhere entering the festive season to celebrate the new year.

Cultural performances by people of various ethnic groups at the "Spring Colors of the Western Region" festival.

Like the other 45 households in Pha Khao village, Mai Son commune, Tuong Duong district, the last days of the twelfth lunar month are filled with joy in the home of Mr. Gia Ka Giang's family. The sounds of pestles and mortars mingled with laughter and conversation, making the small kitchen feel warm and inviting. The fire blazes from early morning until late at night as all members of Mr. Gia Ka Giang's family gather to make traditional sticky rice cakes – an indispensable offering for the Mong ethnic group during the Lunar New Year. Mr. Gia Ka Giang said that this year his family made more sticky rice cakes than in previous years because their lives have improved. Every household now owns cows, pigs, and chickens. Food and clothing are also more abundant.

During the Lunar New Year celebrations, the entire village of Pha Khao is bustling with festivities to welcome the new spring. The Mong ethnic people here still maintain beautiful traditions and customs, including the worship of ancestors during each New Year. On the morning of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, all members of the clans gather at the village center for the village elder, Gia Say Ta, to perform the "Po Cha" ceremony for the new year, also known as the custom of hanging the New Year's pole. A rooster is tied to the top of the pole, which is then erected, and everyone walks around it, praying to the earth god and ancestors to ward off bad luck from the old year and welcome good fortune in the new year.

Another equally important ritual takes place on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the moment of transition between the old and new year, at the home of the village chief, Tho Pa Lu. Elder Gia Say Ta performs the custom of praying for peace and blessings for all families and clans in Pha Khao village. In the joyful spirit of welcoming the new year, village chief Tho Pa Lu shared: “In the past, our Mong people celebrated Tet in November and December. Now, we all celebrate Lunar New Year together like everywhere else. It’s so much fun.”

Over the years, thanks to the attention of Party committees and authorities at all levels, the people in the mountainous areas have had more fulfilling Tet holidays and happier, warmer springs. On the evening of the 18th day of the 12th lunar month, in Hoa Binh town (Tuong Duong district), the Provincial People's Committee organized the "Spring Festival of Western Nghe An" in 2015. The "Spring Festival of Western Nghe An" is a special annual program to celebrate the new spring in the western region of Nghe An province.

With a program deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Thai, Mong, Khmu, and Tho ethnic groups, the festival night brought together hundreds of amateur performers and thousands of people from the districts of Tan Ky, Anh Son, Con Cuong, Ky Son, and Tuong Duong. Ms. Lo Thi Thao, a resident of Hoa Binh town (Tuong Duong), shared that the festival night created a very lively atmosphere to welcome the new year. Here, ethnic people had the opportunity to meet, interact, and participate in many fascinating folk games of the highland ethnic groups.

In the mountainous district of Quế Phong, this spring the local people also celebrated a vibrant and heartwarming Tet (Lunar New Year). On the 19th day of the 12th lunar month, the People's Committee of Quế Phong district and Tri Lễ commune organized a spring festival for the Mong and Khơ Mú ethnic groups in Minh Châu village (also known as D1 and D2). This activity is organized annually by the local government with the aim of showing care and encouragement to the people each spring. Hundreds of people joined in the shared joy, participating in games such as: playing gongs and drums, stick pushing, throwing the "con" (a type of ball), tug-of-war, cockfighting, etc.

Mr. Lo Trung Thu, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tri Le commune, said: "This year, the people in the area are celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) with great joy. The weather is favorable, security and order are stable, and there have been no cases affected by traffic or alcohol-related issues. In addition to the Spring Festival organized by the local government before Tet, each village has organized its own recreational activities for the people to participate in." Mr. Lo Trung Thu added that while in the past the Mong people usually celebrated Tet for a whole month, from the end of November to the end of December, this year 100% of the people are celebrating the Lunar New Year like all other regions and according to the regulations of the State.

Also in Que Phong district, the local government organized an early Tet celebration for people in special areas and villages far from the center. Ms. Phan Thi Tuyet Mai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong district, said that in addition to Tri Le commune, the district People's Committee organized a Spring festival and recreational activities in Thong Thu and Dong Van communes.

With the vibrant atmosphere of spring, people from 13 resettlement villages under the Hua Na Hydropower Project gathered at Hua Na 2 village to participate in cultural and sports programs and traditional games during Tet (Lunar New Year). Activities such as gong-playing competitions, singing and dancing, and bonfires further strengthened the bonds of friendship among the people in this remote border region. Before Tet, the people in the resettlement area also received attention from agencies and units, with timely assistance in resolving their entitlements, which helped to make Tet less difficult and arduous for them.

Another spring has arrived throughout the western region of Nghe An province. Spring brings joy, happiness, and hope for the future.

Dao Tuan - Quynh Nhu