Leadership representative of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presenting flowers to participating units

From early in the evening, large crowds of local residents and tourists flocked to the venue, creating an atmosphere of excitement and festivity. Against shimmering lights and the resonant sounds of mountain forests, the program opened with performances steeped in ritual significance, including “Cung kinh dang huong – Loi then kham hai” (Reverently Offering Incense – Words of Then Inlaid with the Sea) and “Loi ru chieu vang” (Lullaby of the Golden Afternoon)… drawing audiences into a profound space of spiritual culture, where the sounds of then and tinh string instruments served as a thread connecting people to their roots.

Opening performance of the exchange evening by the Center for Culture and Tourism Information of Cao Bang Province

Following the artistic exchange were performances reflecting the diverse cultural hues of various ethnic groups. Smooth, soulful then melodies from Cao Bang and Lang Son; songs praising homeland and country; and contemporary dance and movement performances by youth, all blended together to paint a vibrant tableau of cultural life across the Viet Bac region.

Smooth, soulful then melodies performed by artists from Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces

Beyond being an exchange activity, the program carried the significance of celebrating Vietnam Ethnic Cultures Day (April 19), a date designated by the Prime Minister to honor, preserve and promote the cultural identities of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. This was an occasion for localities and communities to reflect on and cherish the traditional cultural values forged over thousands of years of history, while heightening awareness of the responsibility to conserve and promote cultural heritage in the era of integration.

As the exchange evening drew to a close, new bridges were opened between regions, between people carrying within themselves the colors of different cultures. Through every song and dance, ethnic groups and localities gained more opportunities to meet, exchange and together foster solidarity and preserve enduring cultural values.