Religious festivals are sometimes marred by improper manners such as attendees throwing money to god’s palanquin during the parade and fighting for offerings on the altars, according to Trịnh Thị Thủy, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Last year, the Hương Pagoda festival attracted 1.5 million visitors. – Photo hanoimoi.vn The Ministry hosted a conference to review the shortcomings of festivals in the previous year and to make plans for cultural festivals and activities held this year, especially during the New Year celebration. The conference was joined by representatives from a number of festivals’ organising boards and departments of culture nationwide. Beside the fine cultural values of the festivals, Thủy pointed out that there are many bad behaviours and manners displayed by participants and organisers. The Ministry mobilised local people and authorities to change aspects of festivals that are harmful to the environment, causing disorder and encouraging violence. Buffalo-fighting festivals were banned in Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Nghệ An and Quảng Nam provinces because they involved violence that may have a bad influence on the community, especially children. People no longer slaughter the pig at the Ném Thượng Village Festival in the northern province of Bắc Ninh. “I acknowledge that the festival organisers tried to eliminate beggardom, overcharging for services and violent activities in festivals,” she said. “However, the effort hasn’t brought good results at all festivals.” She said there are several traditional festivals with violent and chaotic aspects such as at the Sóc Temple and Hương (Perfume) Pagoda… [Read full story]
According to an investigation by the Dak Nong provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the M'nong ethnic minority group has 31 traditional festivals. Many of them have been lost into oblivion because of many different reasons. Therefore, the department will reinstate additional festivals and promote cultural exchanges among villages to improve people's awareness in the preservation of the traditional culture of the nation. The reinstatement of traditional festivals of the M'nong ethnic minority group will not only create a cheerful atmosphere among the local people but also contribute to the preservation and promotion of traditional festivals to improve the…... [read more]
The ministry will pay attention to reinstate and preserve festivals which has a long history and are being lost into oblivion due to modern life; and give priority to reinstatement to preserve and promote diversified cultural values of the community of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic minority groups. There is a festival of the Giay ethnic minority group in the northeastern mountainous province of Lao Cai; a festival in the northern mountainous of Cao Bang; a festival of the Ede ethnic minority group in the central province of Phu Yen; weddings of the Dao Lo ethnic minority group in the northern…... [read more]
In the old days, people held festivals because they were indispensible communal cultural activities. There are 7,966 festivals in Vietnam. Folklore festivals account for 88%; most are managed by communes. Each ethnic minority group has its own festival associated with their customs, religion and traditional crops. Festivals make the atmosphere in villages actively. Ethnic people are eager to participate in cultural activities. Festivals are held according to traditional ways to honour merit of famous people and contributors to the nation and restore folklore games and culture and promote sports activities. Implementing the National Objective Programme on Culture in 2000-2005 and…... [read more]
(Cinet) – On November 19, in Hanoi, Thang Long-Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association organized the 3rd festival in 2011-2016 terms. In the Festival, some representatives listened to some summary reports for Thang Long – Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association in the recent term. The report stated that the Association organized some activities contributing to a maintenance and development of heritage values in the capital. The most important contribution of the Association is a Project on building the anniversary zone of Le Ngoc Han queen in Nanh village, Ninh Hiep, Gia Lam. Up to now, the construction fulfilled and marked a beautiful historical…... [read more]
Watchdog agencies and culturists believe that Vietnamese original traditional festivals would help attract more tourists. However, travel firms do not think so. Travel firms keep indifferent to traditional festivals The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism VNAT and the Hai Phong City People’s Committee have launched the 2013 National Tourism Year campaign, aiming to attract Vietnamese and foreign travelers. The theme of the campaign is the Red River Delta - Hai Phong tourism, according to Saigon Tiep thi. However, the event has not really stirred the public, because experts say they cannot see any new and interesting ideas for the organisation…... [read more]
