Ban May Xoe Festival opens the festive season at Fansipan, Sa Pa

Taking place from July 12 to July 27, the Ban May Xoe Festival brings visitors a journey to discover authentic and vivid cultural slices of the Sa Pa ethnic communities such as Tay, Dao, Mong, Ha Nhi, Giay, Thai and Xa Pho. These cultural features are fully expressed through traditional rituals, costumes, music and especially Xoe dances. 

A vibrant cultural space in the middle of the Northwest mountains

The opening act for the tourists’ experience is the art program “Northwest Market”, part of the experimental show “Sacred Peak Travelogue” built specifically for the mountainous terrain of Fansipan. The graceful dances, the resounding sound of the flute, the vibrant colors of ethnic costumes… realistically recreate the space of the highland market, making many tourists excited.. 

In addition, the Thuy Tho procession is one of the important highlights of the Xoe festival. The procession includes the palanquins of the God of Earth and the God of Water, two symbols of life and crops, along with 12 men and 12 women representing the 12 directions and 12 months of the year. 

The Tay shaman performs the worship ritual with chants and melodies, connecting people with heaven and earth, praying for blessings for the residents of Ban May and visitors.

Going deep into the festival space, visitors can “touch” the indigenous cultural life through a series of scenes recreating the customs, beliefs and activities of ethnic minorities in the highlands such as the wedding ceremony of the Red Dao, the red egg dyeing ritual of the Giay, the Then singing of the Tay, the flute playing and linen weaving of the Mong, the building of the Ha Nhi house or the incense making ceremony for the new house of the Giay. Each ethnic community is present in a diverse and proud cultural picture.

The festival atmosphere became more bustling when the xoè dance circle was opened in the middle of the village yard. Hands clasped together, footsteps harmonized with the bustling drum beat. Regardless of locals and tourists, everyone joined in the vibrant xoè dance. The xoè dance, which is a harmonious feature of many ethnic groups in the North, has now become a symbol of solidarity, attachment and love for indigenous culture.

Rustic experience in the middle of the village in the clouds

Besides rituals and art performances, Ban May Xoe Festival is also an opportunity for visitors to meet artisans of traditional crafts such as making incense, brewing corn wine, weaving, embroidering, making traditional musical instruments, etc. 

On this occasion, the people of Ban May invite each other to dye eggs to give to tourists to wish them luck, happiness and prosperity. Anya, an American tourist, shared: “I am really touched. The people here are very friendly. I get to see and become a part of a vibrant culture. This small egg is a very meaningful gift that I will definitely bring back.”

Ban May is also bustling with a series of folk games such as tug of war, throwing balls, stilt racing, rope swinging... making both adults and children eager to join in.

The bamboo rice making contest is also a highlight that attracts domestic and international tourists to participate enthusiastically. In the open natural space, preparing and grilling colorful bamboo rice tubes by yourself, then enjoying the hot, fragrant sticky rice just out of the oven is an unforgettable experience. In the misty clouds, tourists chat with ethnic people, fully feeling the rusticity and friendliness of the village.

Ms. Thu Hang, a tourist from Hanoi, smiled brightly after finishing the stilt race: “I never thought I would be brave enough to step on stilts. But today I even bet my husband that I would win the race. It has been a long time since I have attended such a fun festival.”

The Xoe Festival will last until July 27, with the main activities taking place on the weekend. This is just the opening event for a series of festivals imbued with national identity in Ban May in the coming time. It is expected that in August, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Golden Season Festival celebrating the ripe rice, the Single Rice Flower Festival, and the Vu Lan ceremony to show gratitude to parents on the top of Fansipan... 

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, escaping to the highlands, setting foot in a mountainside village, taking a deep breath of the fresh air and immersing yourself in the joy of exploring the mountainous region – that is the soothing medicine for the soul that everyone desires.