YenBai (VNA) – The Yen Bai Tourism Year kicked off with art performancesand cultural activities on May 19 in the northern mountainous province. 

Morethan 300 professional artists including singer Trong Tan, Minh Tuyet, Dang Duongand Tung Duong joined the performance themed Lung Linh Sac Mau Yen Bai(Glamourous Yen Bai). The event also features Inh La Oi, a traditional folkmelody of the Thai ethnic group in Yen Bai province, performed by Americansinger Kyo York.

Alongwith music and art, the characteristic images of Yen Bai – rice terraces, banflower (orchid tree flower – the signature flower of the region) and stilthouses were also featured to bring audiences a sense of Yen Bai and the northwestregion.

Theevent also gathered Miss Tourism winners from previous years to showcase afashion collection named Colours of Northwest of designer Viet Hung. Thecollection depicts the unique beauty of 30 different ethnic minorities and thelandscapes of northwestern parts of Vietnam.

“Besidesfocusing on cooperating with neighbouring provinces in the northwesternregions, Yen Bai is also creating several unique and attractive tourismproducts to call for more investors and draw more visitors to explore thescenic Mu Cang Chai terraced field, the ‘hunt for clouds’ at Ta Xua, Ta Si Nhu peak,experience paragliding in Khau Pha pass, or enjoy Ho Thac Ba eco tourism. From YenBai, visitors can easily continue their journey to famous Sapa in Lao Caiprovince, Moc Chau in Son La or the Hung King temple in Phu Tho province,” saidChairman of the Yen Bai People’s Committee Do Duc Du, in a workshop onintroducing tourism products and enhancing tourism investment held on May 19 afternoon.

“YenBai has huge tourism potential, the depth of culture in ethnic minorities isalso a factor to create unique tourism products, drawing more visitors,” saiddeputy head of General Department of Tourism, Ha Van Sieu at the workshop.

Sieusuggested the province should work out solutions on planning, enhancinginfrastructure, and developing tourism based on the community towardssustainable development.

Followingthe opening event, a two-day festival honouring the Mother Goddess of ForestWorshipping Practice will begin on Saturday at Dong Cuong temple (known as thebirthplace of Mother Goddess Worship Practice) in Yen Bai with severalactivities – the practice of len dong (going into a trance); a ritual in whichpractioners become mediums for 36 different deities, involving music, singing,dancing and costumes; a carnival recreating the Mother Goddess; and anexhibition of photos and paintings depicting the practice.

"Thisis the first time Yen Bai province, and Van Yen district specifically, has hadthe chance to host a festival featuring the Mother Goddess Worship Practice.The major activities focus on honouring this traditional practice and folkartists involved,” said Chairman of the Van Yen district’s People’s Committee VuQuang Hai.

Aparagliding festival was also held on May 13-14 and again on May 20-21 in Khau Phapass, Mu Cang Chai district, one of the longest mountain passes in Vietnam witha height of more than 1,200 meters above the sea level, looking over abreathtaking view of Yen Bai’s stunning natural scenery.

MuCang Chai festival is also set to be held in September. The festival willfeatures ethnic Mong performance of khen (local traditional bamboo instrument);a paragliding festival, goat fighting and local sports and traditionalproducts. It aims to showcase the Mu Cang Chai’s landscape and local ethnicgroups’ culture.

Earlierin February, the 2017 Lao Cai – Northwest National Tourism Year event began,with various activities aiming to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sectorof the country.

UpcomingNational Tourism Year activities include a horse racing festival, to be held inBac Ha in June; Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sapa in September; Bat Xat TerracedField festival and the third O Quy Ho Mountain Bike Race in October.

Thenorthwest region of Vietnam comprises eight provinces, namely Dien Bien, HaGiang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Son La and Phu Tho.

Theregion is home to more than 30 ethnic groups, with diverse tangible andintangible cultural heritage, historical sites and spectacular landscapes.-VNA