Coming to the district on the occasion of the National Independence Day on September 2 (also called the Independence Day of the Mong ethnic group), visitors will be impressed by the traditional and unique cultural beauty of local people there. According to village elders, when the August Revolution (August 19) was successful, bringing independence and freedom to the country, the Mong people came down from the mountain to meet those from other ethnic groups. Since then, the Independence Day has a very special meaning and has become an important milestone for the Mong people.

To welcome the festival, many months ago, Mong women embroidered new dresses and shirts with many beautiful patterns. This is also an opportunity for young men and women to meet and make friends. For middle-aged people, this is a chance to buy more clothes for their children and grandchildren to prepare for the new school year and home appliances, and meet their friends after hard-working days.

In the past, the traditional Tet of the Mong ethnic minorities in Bac Yen used to take place from the 30th day of the 11th lunar month every year and lasted five days. But at present, it is celebrated at the same time as the Lunar New Year of the nation.

In Hang Chu commune, local authorities regularly organise the traditional New Year and the Independence Day in a joyful atmosphere and in a healthy and thrifty manner, with exciting activities such as a contest of skits on combating child and cosanguine marriages, and domestic violence; art programmes including dance, singing and ethnic musical instrument performances; sport competitions and folk games like tug of war, crossbow shooting, and ‘pa pao’ throwing.

The traditional New Year Cultural Festival of the Mong ethnic group aims to create a happy and warm spring atmosphere for people. This is also an opportunity for locals to meet and promote cultural, art and sport movements, thus contributing to tightening solidarity and preserving the good cultural identities of ethnic minorities, and encouraging people to work hard to help boost sustainable poverty reduction and economic development.

The preservation and promotion of cultural beauties of the Mong ethnic group in Bac Yen highland district have helped create community cohesion and solidarity associated with the development of community-based tourism, contributing to local socio-economic development.

As the Independence Day this year is nearing, Bac Yen district is preparing to organise a wide range of cultural, art and sport activities. A lot of folk games such as stick pushing, tug of war, crossbow shooting, and other traditional activities will be organised on this occasion. These activities are expected to help improve locals’ spiritual life and promote solidarity to build a wealthier and more beautiful Bac Yen.