Neu tree in the Gau Tao Festival bears the symbol of the sacred tree connecting the heaven and the earth. 

Gau Tao Festival of the Mong ethnic people is a traditional folk festival, a cultural and religious feature that has existed for a long time and it has been restored since 2017. The festival is divided into two parts, including the ceremony part and the festival part. After the opening part of the festival, a special ceremony in the Gau Tao Festival is the ceremony of setting up Neu tree. Neu tree in Gau Tao Festival bears the symbol of a sacred tree connecting the heaven and the cearth. The tree is planted on a wide, flat land, the top of the tree is always facing the East - the direction of birth with the desire to have children, and it is also the direction of the sun with the desire for a bountiful harvest. When Neu tree have been set up, the shaman perform a ceremony right under the tree so that the heaven and the earth, the gods bless the village with peace and happiness, a good harvest in the new year, the favorable weather and they wish everyone a peaceful and happy lìfe, and healthier and healthier with good livestock and crops. 

Arriving at Gau Tao Festival this year, in addition to enjoying a special art program imbued with the cultural identity of Mong ethnic peopel, visitors can also visit food stalls, agricultural products, and typical products of Mong ethnic people. They can also visit the Culinary Competition, the contest of pounding Banh cakes, Pao throwing and the Costume Contest, the beauty contest. This year, walking on stilts also takes place at Gau Tao Festival. 

This is an opportunity to preserve and promote the national cultural identity, strengthening the introduction of the history, culture and tourism potential of the two communes, Hang Kia - Pa Co in Mai Chau district to domestic and foreign tourists. At the same time, it helps build the annual traditional activities, gradually building the habit of regularly organizing folk games associated with physical and sports training, improving health, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the people in 2 communes and welcoming Quy Mao spring in 2023. Gau Tao festival takes place from December 31, 2022 to the end of January 1, 2023.

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