YBO - The People's Committee of the northern province of Yen Bai has just issued Plan No. 154/KH-UBND to implement the province's foreign cultural strategy for the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030.

YBO - A 326-page book featuring the culture of the Thai ethnic minority group in Muong Lo has been published and introduced to readers.

Miss Vietnam 2020 Do Thi Ha, a student at the Hanoi-based National Economics University, is working to prepare for her appearance at the Miss World 2021 in Puerto Rico in December.

YBO - Having strong passion for traditional songs and dances, many artisans have worked hard to practice the arts of their ethnic minority groups and pass them on to younger generations.

YBO - Vien Son commune of Van Yen district has the largest cinnamon area in the district with more than 2,600 hectares. Dubbed as "green gold on the mountain", the cinnamon tree is closely connected with the life of Dao people in Vien Son – which is said to be the place of origin of cinnamon cultivation.

YBO - In 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved a project on preserving and promoting traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic minority groups in the present period.

YBO - Xen Dong, or Forest Worshipping Festival is a unique tradition of Thai ethnic minority people in Hanh Son commune, Nghia Lo town, which has been preserved for generations.

YBO - Tu Le steamed glutinous rice and Shan Tuyet Suoi Giang tea of the northern province of Yen Bai have been listed among the top 100 gift specialties and top 100 specialty dishes in Vietnam in 2020-2021 by the Vietnam Record Organisation (Vietkings).

Offering ritual to God of Agriculture, Opening Royal Seal ritual, Ground-breaking ritual, Thuong Nguyen ritual are among beautiful traditions of Vietnamese people during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).

Vietnam recorded 82 new COVID-19 cases in the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh on January 28 morning after two locally-infected cases were confirmed late January 27.

Luc Yen – an area where many ethnic groups live together, a diverse culture imbued with national identity with unique folk culture of the Tay, Nung and Dao ethnic minority groups. Festivals in the district are plentiful and uphold creativity of cultural values.

The first Mu Cang Chai banh day (white flat and round glutinous rice cake) pounding festival was held on January 1-3 by the People’s Committee of Mu Cang Chai district on the occasion of the New Year holiday.

The study promotion club in Kien Thanh commune, Tran Yen district, offers classes on “Dan tinh” (gourd lute) of the Tay ethnic minority group, the Dao ethnic minority language, weaving and embroidery, with a total of 45 members.

YBO - A delegation of officials from the province led by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu Thi Hien Hanh participated in the second Brocade Culture Festival, which took place in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong from November 24 – 29.

YBO - A festival featuring Mau Thuong Ngan (Mother Goddess of Forest) worshipping practices, which took place in Dong Cuong temple, Van Yen district of Yen Bai from October 19-28, attracted over 100 artists and practitioners nationwide.

YBO - Between 2010 and 2020, the Yen Bai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organised six revisions of intangible cultural heritages in all of its nine localities.

YBO - The People’s Committee of Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province, and the Centre for Agrarian Systems Research and Development have announced the certification of the brand name of Lam Thuong duck.

YBO - Van Yen district recently held the cultural festival of the Dao ethnic, featuring an exhibition of local standout staples, folk games, cultural performances, and an art programme to celebrate the success of the province’s 19th Party Congress.

YBO - Mu Cang Chai district, with the Mong ethnic people accounting for over 90 percent of the total population, has developed a project to preserve the cultural identity of the people during 2013-2015 with a vision until 2020.

YBO - Authorities of Nghia Lo town have opened training courses to teach locals how to make and play “khen be” (a type of traditional panpipes). After attending those classes, many local residents are now able to create panpipes by themselves.

Tay ethnic minority people have a saying that “Tet comes in the first lunar month but starts from the seventh month of the previous year”, which is to mention “Pay Tai” or “Pay chuong Tai”, a traditional practice during which sons-in-law visit and express gratitude towards their parents-in-law during Tet (Lunar New Year Festival) and the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.

YBO - One of the activities to promote tourism of Luc Yen district is supporting the formation and operation of traditional art troupes in communes and towns.

YBO - In July, the Museum of Yen Bai province coordinated with the culture and information division of Mu Cang Chai district and authorities of Lao Chai commune to expand a survey of ancient engraved rocks in Hu Tru Linh, Xeo Di Ho A and Xeo Di Ho B villages.

YBO - In the 2013-2014 academic year, the Education and Training Department of Nghia Lo town built a model to preserve and uphold local culture identities in schools. The model has been implemented in all schools in the town, focusing on promoting extra-curriculum educational activities.

Your Vietnam experience won't be complete without nhau, eating and drinking for no particular purpose. Nhau, in turn, won't be complete without smoked buffalo.