Festivals in Lai Chau, Viet Nam

1st Lunar month – 6th Lunar month
Then Kin, Lai Chau
   
10th, 1st Lunar Month

Thousands of Thai people flock to Nham Lum River to participate in a water splashing contest as a part of Then Kin Pang Festival in Phong Tho District.  The festival aims to show gratitude towards deities and express good praise for timely rains and favourable weather, good crops, happy life and good health.
Gau Tao, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Gau Tao Festival is a festival of the H’mong people, held every spring. After the conclusion of the Lunar New Year Festival couples go to the market to spending time together. During this time the boys often play khen, a kind of musical instrument with one another.
Han Khuong, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Han Khuong Festival is once again an opportunity for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other through singing and dancing. “Han” means stage, “Khuong” means yard. When the festival starts, young, beautiful and unmarried girls sing love songs on the stage. The boys then sing songs in response. After the festival it is common for many couples to get married.
Cam Muong, Lai Chau
   
30th, 1st Lunar Month

At this spring festival the Lai Chau people pray to the gods of rivers and mountains and to their ancestors for their support in earning a living. During the festival sorcerers make offerings of food trays. From 1-5th day of Tet people play traditional games and dance in the village, play con ball, and drink wine.
Hoa Ban, Lai Chau
   
1st, 2nd Lunar Month

The Hoa Ban Festival is one of the most popular events of Lai Chau, reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the Thai people. In the 2nd Lunar Month of the year, when it gets warmer and the hoa ban flower blossoms, the Hoa Ban Festival is celeberated. This is a time for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other. Boys are required to pick up and place a ban flower in their girlfriend’s hair. Being shy, the girl then hides under the flower leaves. This is not only a time for love, but also for the Thai people to pray for good crops, happiness, and to express their gratitude to their ancestors. The festival is always full of songs and prays.
7th Lunar month – 12th Lunar month
Harvest, Lai Chau
   
1st, 10th Lunar Month

The La Hu people perform this ritual for new rice in the 10th or 11th Lunar Month every year.  During the period of the festival the La Hu people are banned from harvesting vegetables or cutting down trees and plants in order to pray for them to grow well all year round. During the festival folk dances accompanied by drums also takes place.