The event originated as the Mong Ethnic Cultural Festival before gradually developing into the Ethnic Cultural Festival of Moc Chau district. 

In 2025, following the implementation of Vietnam’s two-tier local government model, Moc Son ward coordinated with communes and wards such as Moc Chau, Thao Nguyen, Van Son, Long Sap, Chieng Son, Doan Ket and Tan Yen, along with provincial departments and agencies, to continue the event with a series of activities involving multiple localities.

The initiative demonstrated the flexibility and proactive role of grassroots administrations in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural heritage of the Moc Chau highlands.

This year, the provincial People’s Committee has decided to organise the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2026 at the provincial level from August 27 to September 5.

The event is part of activities marking Visit Vietnam Year 2026 and aims to implement central and provincial policies and orientations on cultural and human development, promote tourism as an important economic sector and support sustainable socio-economic development.

Hoang Thi Doi, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the department had advised on and developed the event plan based on the traditions of the annual festival while introducing new approaches, with a focus on major events and supporting activities to maximise its reach.

“We want to tell the story of Moc Chau tourism in the most vivid and distinctive way, while connecting with and widely promoting the image of the Moc Chau National Tourism Area and Son La to domestic and international friends,” she said.

Held across the Moc Chau National Tourism Area, the Culture and Tourism Week 2026 features a diverse programme combining culture, sports, tourism and trade, creating a broad range of experiences for residents and visitors.

The programme opens with a campaign calling on the public to help build a “Green, Clean, Beautiful and Civilised Moc Chau National Tourism Area”, encouraging community awareness and responsibility in shaping the destination’s image.

The main events include an international brocade night themed “Weaving Heritage, Blending Colours” and an art programme titled “Moc Chau – The Call of the Season of Love”.

A range of side events will also take place, including cultural and ethnic cuisine camp competitions, street community cultural performances and traditional folk games.

Other activities include cultural and sports events and a highland market at the Long Sap International Border Gate, a trade fair featuring agricultural, forestry and fishery products, as well as tours and experiential activities.

A highlight of the 2026 event will be a mass pao (cloth ball) throwing performance recreating a traditional Mong festival activity, involving more than 300 artisans and amateur performers.

The final of Miss Galaxy Vietnam 2026 will also be held at 8 p.m. on September 5 under the theme “Women of the Future”. The pageant combines culture, knowledge and technology, and aims to promote an image of modern women who possess not only beauty but also knowledge, innovative thinking and the ability to adapt to the digital era. The event is expected to attract significant attention from residents and visitors.

Preparations for activities during the week are being accelerated. Do Tri Dung, Vice Chairman of the Moc Chau ward People’s Committee, said as the venue for two major events - the International Brocade Night and the Miss Galaxy Vietnam 2026 final, the ward has reviewed all event venues while developing detailed plans for traffic management, public security and environmental sanitation.

“We have also instructed accommodation providers and restaurants to improve service quality and publicly display prices to provide visitors with the best possible experience,” he said.

Alongside preparations in terms infrastructure and facilities, local authorities are also focusing on mobilising participants for community cultural activities. Trang Thi Giang, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Moc Son ward, said the ward has established performance teams and mobilised more than 200 artisans and amateur performers for rehearsals, together with officers and soldiers from the armed forces who will support the event.

With thorough preparations and proactive coordination by local authorities, the Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2026 is expected to become an attractive cultural and tourism gathering, drawing visitors from near and far, promoting the distinctive cultural values of ethnic communities and raising the profile and appeal of the highland destination.

The event is also hoped to contribute to strengthening the “Moc Chau – The World’s Leading Regional Nature Destination” brand./.