The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has designated 11 traditional festivals as annual official events.

A traditional dance at a Dao Lo Gang wedding, one of the 11 traditional festivals desinated as country’s official festivals.

They include the Roong pooc of the Giay ethich minority in the northeastern province of Lao Cai to pray for good weather, an abundant crop, and happiness; the Nang Hai of the Tay ethnic minority in nearby Cao Bang province to welcome the Moon Goddess to Earth and play games with people; and the An trau of the Ede ethnic minority in the central province of Phu Yen to kill a buffalo and offer its meat to the gods to express their gratitude.

The ministry wants all the festivals to manifest the unique traditions of their respective communities and be visitor-friendly, especially to rural people.

It also warned organizers against including too many “modern” features in the festivals since it would not help preserve the beauty of traditional cultures and could even offend the ethnic minorities.

VietNamNet/SGGP