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| Highland women showcase products made from Zèng for tourists |
Preserving and passing on
The A Da Festival (New Rice Festival) honors the mother of crops, celebrates abundant harvests, and plays a vital role in the spiritual life of A Luoi’s highland ethnic communities. This year, A Da Kooh (held every 5-10 years) was celebrated on a large scale at the A Luoi Ethnic Minority Cultural Village, with the participation of Phu Vinh, Hong Thuong, and Hong Thuy communes.
Standing by the Moong communal house, Ho Van Mien, a young man from Keh 2 village, Hong Thuy commune, nervously prepared with other performers. Mien shared: “My friends and I spent a month practicing in the town for today. Although individual communes held this festival earlier, this is the first joint event. Performing here with everyone, I feel a responsibility to preserve the culture. In my commune, important festivals are announced by village elders to every household, followed by meetings and practice sessions, creating a lively atmosphere.”
Amid the sounds of ceremonial horns and drums, participants sang, danced, and offered rituals to the deities and heavens, praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperity for all households. Mr. Ko Xich from Can Sam village, Hong Thuong commune, said emotionally, “Everyone is grateful to the Party and State for supporting such a grand A Da Festival. I’m 84 years old now, and I’ve passed on all I know about these festivals. I hope that after I’m gone, my descendants will continue this proud traditional culture.”
Artisan Ta Dur Tu, Deputy Head of the A Luoi Department of Culture and Information, noted: “This year’s festival saw enthusiastic participation from young performers aged 20-30. Thanks to the authorities' efforts, not only are traditional festivals being held more often, but folk singing and dancing activities are also growing, inspiring the younger generation to preserve and promote ethnic cultural values.”
Outside the communal house, hundreds of men, women, and children enthusiastically competed in folk games, the lively atmosphere making everyone forget the cold, rainy highland weather. Many showcased their village's crafts with pride: Ta Oi women gathered to weave Zèng fabrics, displaying beaded scarves and cloth; elderly Pa Ko individuals presented ancient ceramics; and Co Tu youths meticulously arranged woven goods for tourists. An elderly artisan shaping clay remarked that a project to revive Noq pottery had enabled over a dozen people to master the process of making bowls, vases, and teapots. Once believed lost during the war, this ancestral craft has now been revived.
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| Young people make chưng cakes and a quat cakes during the New Year celebration program in Dong Son |
Youthful energy and hope
This spring marks the first for A Luoi as a district no longer classified among the nation's poorest, a significant milestone in its development journey. Thanks to a concerted effort from political systems and support from various agencies, over 4,400 homes were built or renovated to eliminate dilapidated and makeshift housing. Over the past year, the number of impoverished households in the district decreased by more than 1,500, leaving 1,968 households classified as poor.
Among the success stories are individuals who connected resources and pursued entrepreneurship to contribute to the district’s progress. One notable figure is Tran Thi Bich May, founder of Hanaalfood, a dried meat brand. Over the past two years, this highland woman has tirelessly brought her products to fairs and markets. Hanaalfood’s products, certified as 3-star OCOP, are now featured in Tet holiday gift baskets across provinces. May shared that wearing her Zèng-woven áo dài when promoting her products drew attention and encouragement. “The traditional dress opens many opportunities. The deliciousness of A Luoi’s golden beef and customer feedback motivates me to keep growing and spreading our highland specialties,” she said.
As Tet approaches, in Dong Son, Captain Nguyen Viet Hung - a Ministry of Public Security officer assigned to the area - is busy coordinating festive activities with volunteer groups for the local community. From initial unfamiliarity to deep attachment, Hung has introduced significant changes: solar-powered lighting systems, sports facilities, martial arts training programs, and environmental conservation initiatives. Young, energetic, and enthusiastic, Captain Hung tirelessly fosters connections and nurtures initiatives for the community's growth in a region once known as a "land of Agent Orange."
Reflecting on past achievements and setting goals for the new year, Nguyen Van Hai, Vice Chairman of A Luoi’s People's Committee, emphasized the impact of two National Target Programs, comprising 100 sub-projects. These initiatives provided livestock, seeds, and plants to residents while preserving and promoting traditional values to attract tourists. The district plans to further invest in infrastructure, efficiently use support resources, and develop agriculture, forestry, and tourism to boost incomes.
Days before Tet, I received a fresh salmon from Ho Thanh Phuong, the owner of a homestay and pioneer of Siberian sturgeon farming. This fish was raised using natural spring water from A Nor in Hong Kim commune. Beyond being a new form of livestock, this gift symbolizes the creativity and economic ambition of highland youth, with Phuong as a prime example. A Luoi holds immense potential, waiting for those with the courage and love for this land to unlock its treasures.
Story and photos: L. Tue