HÀ NỘI — The Ban Flowers Festival has been launched alongside the 7th Festival of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Ethnic groups in Điện Biên Province.

The province has staged the Ban Flowers festival every year since 2014 in March - the blooming season.

This celebration honours the beauty and significance of ban flowers in the cultural and spiritual lives of the ethnic groups in Điện Biên.

The ban flower is not only common in the northwest mountains of Việt Nam, but it has long been associated with the rustic and beautiful Thái ethnic women. It also represents an eternal life of pure, faithful, and eternal love.

During each flowering season, the province has attracted a large number of tourists who come to see, experience, and photograph the flowers.

This year, the festival with the theme Hương sắc miền Tây Bắc (Colours of the Northwest) will last four days in 7/5 Square, Điện Biên Province's city centre in four days (from March 10 to 13).

Opening program of the Ban Flowers Festival 2023. VNA/VNS Photos Xuân Tư

There are two parts in the opening ceremony, which are Fragrance in the Northwest (with seven art performances) and Điện Biên in the aspiration region (with five art performances).

Lê Thành Đô, Chairman of Điện Biên Provincial People's Committee said: "Điện Biên government and people hold high regard for the Ban Flowers Festival 2023 and the 7th Festival of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Ethnic groups.

"This is a one-of-a-kind cultural, sports, and tourism event imbued with the cultural identities of the Northwest ethnic groups; preserve and promote the natural values, unique cultural identities of 19 ethnic groups in Điện Biên Province, contribute to affirming the brand, creating a further breakthrough for the tourism of this historical land."

Ban flowers in Điện Biên.

The Festival's activities include folk songs, dancing, and music festivals; sports exchanges and competitions; a street parade with the theme "Ban Flowers Festival Night"; and the display and introduction of cultural and tourist products.

Điện Biên will also introduce the local traditional cultural space at the festival, including upland market, typical agricultural products, cultural programs.

The highlight of the even will be the beauty contest in order to find beautiful women in both appearance and soul, who can promote the image of ban flowers and Điện Biên Province. VNS