Wind-avoiding festival highlights Dao ethnic spiritual traditions

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Residents join the opening of “Hội Kiêng gió” (Wind-Avoidance Festival), a traditional festival of the Dao Thanh Phan people, in Hoanh Mo commune, Quang Ninh province, on May 20.

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The “Wind-Avoidance” custom of the Dao people in Dong Van Commune, now part of Hoanh Mo Commune, was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2025, while this year’s festival features both traditional cultural practices and new activities.

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Local residents and visitors look forward most to the culinary contests, including traditional feast presentations by 22 villages and a phở stir-frying competition. Stir-fried phở is a signature dish among local ethnic communities and is commonly found at Dong Van market fairs.

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Teams representing the Tay, San Chi, Dao Thanh Y and Dao Thanh Phan ethnic groups compete in phở stir-frying and food presentation contests highlighting local cultural identities. The dish features handmade phở noodles stir-fried in large pans with vegetables, pork and local spices.

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The San Chi team’s entry, themed around Cao Ly Mountain, a scenic landmark in the commune, stands out with elaborate decorations and flavorful dishes, while other teams showcase themes inspired by star anise and cinnamon, two familiar symbols of Hoanh Mo.

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Residents and visitors try stir-frying phở at the teams’ cooking areas.

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Equally lively is the embroidery contest featuring traditional patterns on Dao Thanh Phan costumes.

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As an essential skill for Dao Thanh Phan women, the embroidery contest requires contestants to complete intricate patterns with both speed and precision within 15 minutes. Five participants with the fastest and most skillful work win the competition.

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“Hội Kiêng gió” reflects the rich cultural identity of ethnic communities in the border area of Hoanh Mo through a variety of performances, including exchanges with an art troupe from China's Guangxi province, aimed at strengthening friendship between people on both sides of the border.

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A cultural exchange program featuring local villages, armed forces and community clubs takes place on the evening of May 19, drawing large crowds of residents ahead of the festival.

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Folk songs, traditional dances and ethnic costume performances vividly recreate the daily life and cultural traditions of local ethnic communities.

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Alongside cultural activities, folk games and traditional sports such as tug of war, stick pushing and spinning top competitions help create a lively and communal atmosphere.

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Ethnic minority residents visit the market fair during “Hội Kiêng gió”. As part of the event, local authorities introduce Cao Ba Lanh, a provincial historical and scenic site, announce the recognition of 26 Vietnam Heritage Trees, and showcase OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods alongside summer-autumn tourism activities for 2026 to promote tourism in the northeastern border region.