A competition in making sticky rice cakes at the festival. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

For the Giáy ethnic minority in the northern province of Lai Châu, the Forest Deity is considered the most sacred one, protecting their village. A festival has been held twice a year to express their gratitude to the Forest Deity on the third and the sixth lunar month.

In the Giáy language, the name of the festival, Háu Đoong, means going into the forest to worship the Forest Deity. Within the festival, they conduct rituals to pray for a prosperous harvest, favourable weather conditions, healthy livestock, and freedom from epidemics. They also pray for the well-being of their people, the continued development of their economy, and happy and fulfilling households.

The forest worship ceremony is held under an old giant tree. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

The forest worship ceremony is held under an old giant tree near a stream in the forest of Nậm Lỏong 1 Village, Quyết Thắng Ward. This is a communal sacred forest that is strictly protected by the villagers. The worship offerings include one pig and five chickens. The shaman's chanting echoes throughout the forest, inviting the deities to come and witness the ceremony, hoping for their blessings towards the village and its people. After the ceremony, a communal meal is served, and the villagers will have two or three days off work.

According to Trần Đình Tiến, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lai Châu City, the festival aims to preserve and promote the beautiful traditional cultural identity of the ethnic group, thereby building solidarity among different communities and improving the quality of cultural life in the area.

A competition of pounding sticky rice cakes. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

During the festival, the Giáy people wear traditional costumes and join in various folk games and competitions such as pounding sticky rice cakes.

"We have been taught by our predecessors about the unique cultures, including rituals and traditional costumes, of our ethnic group, which we will try our best to uphold and promote,” said 15-year-old Vàng Thị Bằng Lăng from Quyết Thắng Ward.

“The Háu Đoong Festival not only holds spiritual significance, but also affirms the role and position of our close-knit, harmonious community, who respect and protect nature, and consider the forest as part of our life,” she added.

Giáy children join the game of blindfolded catching ducks at the Háu Đoong Festival. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

The Giáy people, also known as Pú Giáy or Hún Giáy, are scattered throughout Lai Châu Province, with a population of around 14,000 people. They are known for their skills in weaving, embroidery, and creating traditional clothing, as well as for their agricultural practices, which include rice cultivation, corn farming, and raising livestock. In Lai Châu City, the Giáy ethnic group mainly resides in Quyết Thắng Ward and San Thàng Commune. VNS

A performance of the traditional singing of the Giáy people at the Háu Đoong Festival. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh