A performance at the First National Festival of Dao Ethnic Culture (Photo: VNA)
Tuyen
Quang (VNA) – The first National Festival of Dao Ethnic Culture and
the Tuyen Quang Mid-Autumn Festival opened in the northern mountainous province
of Tuyen Quang on September 29.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan
lauded the organization of the event, which aims to honour cultural values of
Dao ethnic minority people.
Ngan
said that the cultures of ethnic minority groups are a priceless treasure of
the nation, contributing to the diversity of the Vietnamese culture.
She
also stressed the need to preserve the cultural identities of all ethnic groups
in Vietnam and the Dao people in particular during the cause of national
industrialization, modernization and development.
The
NA leader highlighted the Party’s and State’s policy of paying great attention
to the spiritual life of ethnic minority groups, as well as the significance of
incorporating the protection and promotion of cultural heritage of Vietnamese
ethnic groups with sustainable economic and tourism development in localities.
Lasting
until October 4, the National Festival of Dao Ethnic Culture and the Tuyen
Quang Mid-Autumn Festival have gathered 12 art troupes from Lai Chau, Bac Kan,
Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Thanh Hoa, Son
La and Tuyen Quang provinces and Hanoi city.
As one of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Dao
community has an estimated population of 750,000. They mostly reside in
northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Yen
Bai. Their main livelihood is farming in rocky areas, weaving, and silver craft
making.
Tuyen Quang is the only province in Vietnam home to
all nine Dao subgroups, namely Dao Do, Dao Tien, Dao Cooc Mun, Dao Quan Chet,
Dao O Gang, Dao Cooc Ngang, Dao Quan Trang, Dao Thanh Y, and Dao Ao Dai.-VNA