YÊN BÁI — Yên Bái Province’s Mường Lò Culture and Tourism Week 2016 in Nghĩa Lộ started Thursday and will run through Monday September 19. 

Organized by the province’s People’s Committee, the week is part of ongoing co-operation between Yên Bái and seven other northwestern provinces in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Nghĩa Lộ Town. The provinces also hope to attract more visitors to Yên Bái Province and to increase public awareness around preserving cultural values.

According to Hoàng Thị Hạnh, vice chairwoman of the town’s People’s Committee, various activities will take place during the week, including competitions and performances of traditional sports, a cultural festival of Thái ethnic folk arts, street performances entitled Colorful Northwest region, ritual ceremonies and traditional performances.

In addition, the organisational board also hopes to introduce visitors to the traditional cultures of the local ethnic minorities, through chances to observe locals picking and drying tea leaves, to sample Shan Tuyết tea and steamed sticky rice—two local specialties,—and to witness on-site tour guide competitions and photo exhibitions at the Memorial to President Hồ Chí Minh.

At the opening ceremony for Mường Lò Culture and Tourism Week 2016, which takes place at 8pm tonight at the stadium in Nghĩa Lộ Town, Thái ethnic minority members in Nghĩa Lộ Town will be honoured with the National Recognition of Intangible Cultural Heritage for their Hạn Khuống traditional performance. — VNS