Ê Đê ethnic people from the Central Highlands take photos beside images of President Hồ Chí Minh at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. The themed activities ‘Bác Hồ Trong Trái Tim Đồng Bào’ (President Hồ Chí Minh in the Hearts of the People) will run throughout May at the village. — Photo courtesy of the Department of Ethnic Culture

HÀ NỘI — More than 100 representatives of 16 ethnic groups will take part in a series of cultural activities themed around President Hồ Chí Minh at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism throughout May, marking the 136th anniversary of the beloved President’s birth (19/5/1890 – 19/5/2026) and highlighting the enduring respect of ethnic communities for his legacy.

A central highlight is the folk music and dance performance Việt Bắc Nhớ Bác Hồ (Việt Bắc Remembers President Hồ Chí Minh).

This cultural exchange presents traditional songs and dances expressing the deep affection of ethnic groups for President Hồ Chí Minh, especially the Nùng people of Việt Bắc, the cradle of the Vietnamese revolution and the place where he established a key revolutionary base during the pre-August Revolution period from 1941 and the resistance war against the French from 1947 to 1954.

Historically, the former Việt Bắc region comprised six northern mountainous provinces: Cao Bằng, Bắc Kạn, Lạng Sơn, Thái Nguyên, Tuyên Quang and Hà Giang.

Visitors will be able to enjoy distinctive performances of đàn tính, then, sli and lượn singing, celebrating homeland, heritage and regional identity. These performances create a joyful, warm atmosphere rich in national tradition, showcasing the cultural diversity of the former Việt Bắc region.

Complementing the stage performances, the exhibition Bác Hồ Trong Trái Tim Đồng Bào (President Hồ Chí Minh in the Hearts of the People) will display artefacts, photographs and publications about his life throughout the month.

Two additional folk music and dance programmes, Quà Tháng Năm Dâng Bác (A May Gift for Uncle Hồ) and Ơn Bác Hồ Với Người Tây Nguyên (Gratitude of the Central Highlands People to Uncle Hồ), will combine traditional songs, dances and storytelling. These performances express the heartfelt admiration of ethnic communities for President Hồ Chí Minh and honour individuals who exemplify his teachings in daily life.

Adding to the cultural richness, Tày and Nùng communities from Thái Nguyên Province will re-enact a ceremony of thanksgiving to heaven and earth for blessings of health, harmony and prosperity in the new year. Traditional games such as ném còn (throwing a cloth ball), đi cà kheo (stilt walking) and nhảy sạp (bamboo pole dancing) will further enliven the festivities with vibrant ethnic colours.

According to the Department of Ethnic Culture under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the May programme brings together participants from 11 provinces, representing ethnic groups including the Nùng, Tày, Dao, Mông, Mường, Lào, Thái, Khơ Mú, Tà Ôi, Cơ Tu, Ba Na, Xơ Đăng, Gia Rai, Raglai, Ê Đê and Khmer.

The activities aim to honour President Hồ Chí Minh’s moral example and encourage the continued practice of studying and following his ethics and lifestyle through meaningful, practical actions by ethnic communities and visitors at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

Through this series of events, the image of President Hồ Chí Minh will be further celebrated, while the programme also contributes to preserving traditional cultural values and strengthening bonds among ethnic groups across the country. — VNS