More than just a festive reunion, Ho Su Cha serves as a spiritual anchor to strengthen community unity, preserve ethnic cultural identity, and open opportunities for locals to promote community-based tourism.

The Ho Su Cha New Year Festival is celebrated after the harvest is complete and people can gather and rest. From early morning, Ka Lang village in Thu Lum commune is filled with music, laughter, and cheerful conversation. Smoke rises from earthen-walled houses, and the aroma of freshly made banh giay (pounded rice cakes) blends with the scent of corn wine.

“Before the Ho Su Cha festival, we decorate our houses, make banh giay, and prepare offerings for worshiping our ancestors. The offerings include meat, liquor, cakes, and incense to thank heaven and earth and express gratitude to our ancestors for blessing them with good harvests and healthy children. It’s a time when family members and relatives from far away return home to celebrate. It’s a very happy time,” says Villager Ly Xa Pu.

This year, the Ha Nhi’s New Year Festival coincides with the provincial Ethnic Culture Festival, turning it into an even more joyful event. Ha Nhi women dress in their most beautiful costumes, while men engage in folk games such as crossbow shooting, tug of war, and cloth ball throwing. Tourists can also join the games held at the community yards.

According to Chu Te Hu from Me Giong village, before the New Year celebration, his family prepared a pig. Traditionally, they examine the pig’s liver to foretell the coming crops. During the festival days, they prepare meals and invite friends and relatives, as well as travelers, to join.

“We enjoy the festive atmosphere and the warm affection of the Ha Nhi people. Everyone gathers to prepare the New Year meals and welcome family members returning home. We can join in the traditional dance and feel the heartfelt hospitality of the community. I hope to return soon to experience this wonderful festival again”, tourist Nguyen Van Binh, from Nghe An province, shared.

The time-honored Ho Su Cha Festival has become a distinctive highlight of tourism in Lai Chau province. The Ha Nhi people consider their traditions a “cultural treasure” that supports local socio-economic development. Nguyen Truong Giang, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council of Thu Lum commune, says efforts will be focused on preserving traditional house architecture, maintaining customs and practices, and promoting the production of specialties such as corn liquor, banh giay, and brocade weaving.

“Border Guard officers have worked with communal Party cells to encourage people to preserve cultural identity in connection with community tourism development. Traditional festivals like this are an opportunity for people of different groups to learn more about each other’s cultural identity,” said Giang.

Amid the sounds of drums and gongs, surrounded by the aromas of corn liquor and banh giay, the Ha Nhi people of Thu Lum commune make their wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year at the Ho Su Cha celebration.

Ha Nhi ethnic group celebrate traditional new year festival

VOV.VN - The traditional new year festival of the Ha Nhi ethnic group, who reside in Dien Bien province’s Muong Nhe district, north-western Vietnam, is celebrated during the eleventh lunar month when local people finish their crop harvest.