HBO – The Xen Muong festival of the Thai ethnic group is held in early Spring to pray for good harvest, luck and safety. The festival is an occasion to introduce the original cultural values of the Thai to visitors, and also a place for young people to show off their talents in singing and Khen (panpipe) playing.
A shaman performs a ritual at the Bon Village temple during
the Xen Muong festival
Visitors to the festival
will have the chance to listen to the recital of an epic on the local Thai
ethnic group’s history from the early days they set up the villages. It is said
that Chieng Chau was the first place of settlement of the Thai group when they
migrated from Bac Ha (Lao Cai) in the 13th century. Through many ups
and downs, generations of Thai landlords deserved credit for leading locals in
reclaiming forest lands to set up villages. During the Later Le Dynasty, the
Thai landlord in Mai Chau made a great feat in fighting invaders from the
north, and was rewarded with the title "Tuoc hau dai tu khau truc trung hau”
(called in short Tuong Su by the Thai locals).
The Xen Muong festival
highlights the traditional cultural values of the Thai group. It begins with
rituals performed by a shaman, who must be a person respected by all in the
community. On the main stage, the shaman reads prayers in Thai language. He
then leads a procession taking the Tuong Su’s palanquin to the temple of Bon
village, followed by other worshipping rituals. The prayers reflect the adoration
and respect for Thai landlords who contributed greatly to the foundation of
Thai villages. The shaman serves as a bridge between generations of Thai people
with their ancestors.
The vitality of the Xen
Muong festival also comes from the originality of Thai culture and folk dances
and songs./.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.
