HÀ NỘI — Various activities themed around the childhoods of 12 ethnic groups will be organised at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture – Tourism in the outskirts of Hà Nội throughout August.

Events will take place at the site every day, including a Junior Traditional Wrestling Tournament, tourism programme, a painting course on scenery in the Central Highlands, and puppetry shows by artists from the Việt Nam Puppetry Theatre.

The Junior Traditional Wrestling Tournament will take place at the village square between August 9 and 12 gathering 120 athletes from all over the country to compete in 14 weight categories. The tournament is hosted by the General Department of Sports and Physical Training and the village management board aiming to promote traditional wrestling among people, especially the youth.

The tourism programme titled ‘My Summer’ throughout the month is designed for junior visitors to the village, who can take part in handwriting contests, painting contests, folk games and country markets.

Visitors can also make ceramic wares with Chăm artists and make traditional cakes of the various ethnic groups like Tà Ôi, Tày and Thái.

Special weekend courses will take place on August 4-5 and August 18-19 at the Khmer Pagoda inside the village, offering moral lessons to children on how to become good people by following Buddhism teachings. Attendees will also be able to experience teamwork exercises and folk games.

A painting contest titled ‘Central Highlands inside me’ between 8.30am-11am and 2pm-4.30pm on August 4, 5, 18 and 19 is for children between 6 and 15 years old. The award ceremony for the contest will be held on September 1.

Puppetry shows will be performed at 9-10.30am and 2.30-4pm on August 25 and 26.

Representatives from 12 ethnic groups will host cultural events every day including a homestay service, traditional cookery classes, folk games, as well as praying at pagodas and temples.

The village is located in Sơn Tây District, some 45km to the west of central Hà Nội. — VNS