A large number of local residents and tourists flocked to the community tourist site in Bon hamlet, Muong Chien commune, Quynh Nhai district to join the festival.

Artisan Dieu Van Him from Quyen hamlet, Muong Chien commune said traditionally, the “Xip xi” Festival is held on the 14th day of the 7th lunar month every year as the 14th means “xip xi” in the Thai language. The festival is associated with wet rice cultivation practices of mountainous people. At the end of a planting season, on the “Xip xi” day, locals prepare offerings as an expression of their gratitude to buffalo - the animal helping them complete the cultivation, and to pray for good weather and bumper crops.  

In Muong Chien, “Xip xi” is still preserved with rituals and cultural activities imbued with ethnic identity. In recent years, the festival has been organised by the Muong Chieng commune People's Committee as a commune-level cultural activity, bringing together residents in hamlets, as well as those who live far from home.

This year’s festival was held earlier than usual, with rituals performed at Tu Ti Nang Han temple in Bon hamlet, which worships the earth, mountain and river gods, and Nang Han (Miss Han), a general of the Thai people.

The rituals were followed by various activities, including art performances, Then singing, and hat and scarf dances on the background of the sounds of “Dan tinh”, a musical instrument of the ethnic group, attracting locals and tourists to Bon hamlet.

Ta Thi Kim Oanh, a tourist from Mai Son district, said her 24-member group came to experience community tourism in Bon hamlet, bathe in hot mineral springs, enjoy art performances, and join in the “Xip xi” Festival, which has left them with many beautiful impressions.

Festival-goers can also participate in folk games, such as nem con (throwing a ball through a ring for good luck), playing cards, and crossing “cau khi” – a bridge typically made of a single bamboo log, and watch cockfighting. Each of the participating teams brought to the festival a tray of traditional dishes, decorated according to their own themes.

Joining the culinary competition, Hoang Thi Loan from Quyen hamlet said each of the trays should include boiled duck, braised black canarium, sticky rice and grilled fish.

“We also prepared many more dishes sophisticated and beautifully decorated, carrying the wish for family reunion and prosperity. We want to introduce the unique cuisine of the Thai ethnic group in Muong Chien to friends and tourists,” she said.

Locals were more excited celebrating this year’s festival as its ritual part had been named in the list of national intangible cultural heritage under a decision announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The recognition is a great honour, and a pride to the White Thai ethnic group in Son La in general, encouraging them to continue efforts to preserve and promote their cultural traits.

Dieu Chinh Thuan, Chairman of the Muong Chien commune People's Committee, said all of the local residents belong to the White Thai ethnic group. Therefore, “Xip xi” is also a common festival for them to exchange, meet, and tighten their solidarity. At the same time, this is also an activity to introduce and promote the potential of community tourism and cultural tourism of Muong Chien, attracting more and more tourists to this land.

At the end of the vibrant festival, what remain in the hearts of every festival-goer are joy, excitement, and pride that the traditional culture is still being preserved by generations. This is a meaningful activity, encouraging the ethnic group to continue preservation efforts, and stay united and contribute more to the homeland.