The second H’mong Khen (pan pipe) festival is underway in the Dong Van
plateau in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, drawing
hundreds of artists and visitors from far and wide.
In
addition to listening to khen performances, visitors can sample local
specialities first-hand and participate in folk games, such as tree and
rope climbing, cross-bow archery, and batting balls.
A performance showcasing ethnic culture adds to the colourful atmosphere.
The khen pan pipe is a wind instrument made from six to twelve or
fourteen small bamboo pipes tied together and connected to a wooden
sound box. This instrument is very popular with a number of ethnic
groups in Vietnam, such as the Thai, the Muong and the H’Mong.
The two-day festival ending on August 31 is a popular tourist destination over the National Day holiday.-VNA