(HBO) – Hang Kia-Pa Co communes in Mai Chau district have 90 percent of their population being Mong ethnic minority people. Each year, local residents celebrate their Independence Festival from August 25 with colourful costumes and flowers decorated along streets. However, this year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, Mong people in Mai Chau have not gathered in traditional markets but celebrated the special event right at home. Amid the complicated development of the pandemic, they have been encouraged to enjoy the festival with strict implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures.

Visitors are enjoying Independence Festival in a Mong village in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau).

Sung A Mang, a local in Pa Co Lon hamlet of Pa Co commune said that every year on the National Day (September 2) occasion and major events of the year, local families often kill pigs, buffaloes and chickens to offer to their ancestors. Prior to the main festival day, people in hamlets and villages opened joint parties by contributing chickens, pigs, rice andenjoyed the festival together.

However, this year, due to COVID-19, the festive atmosphere is not the same as the previous years with massive gatherings being cancelled. But still, Mong people are still enjoying their traditional festival with simple but cozy family meals, while maintaining their regular production activities.

Sung A Chua, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Pa Co said that this year, the Independence Festival does not include entertainment and festive activities. However, through communications, all local residents understand that to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community, they should join hands to prevent the pandemic from entering the locality and maintain socio-economic development.

Currently, per capita income of Hang Kia and Pa Co has reached 13 million VND and 15 million VND each year, respectively. As of the end of June 2021, the ratio of poor households was brought down to 24.7 percent in Hang Kia and 22.5 percent in Pa Co. Both communes have completed 13 out of 19 criteria of a new-style rural area. Cultural and education infrastructure in the localities have been improved to meet new-style rural area standards, while defence-security situation has been ensured, with reinforced political system./.



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