The Vibrant Colors of the Street Folk Culture Festival

The Street Folk Culture Festival is a cornerstone event of the 2026 Hung Kings' Commemoration – Hung Temple Festival and Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week. It is not merely a community cultural activity but a stage where traditional values are awakened, revitalized, and integrated into modern life with a vivid, accessible, and captivating new appearance.

Xoan Singing – A Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A Journey Back to the Roots

The festival carries the mission of honoring heritage, connecting communities, and igniting national pride. Along the streets, citizens are no longer mere spectators; they become the “subjects” of the festival, directly performing and preserving the precious tangible and intangible cultural values of their homeland.

The theme “Echoes of the Roots” serves as a profound reminder of the Vietnamese tradition: "When drinking water, remember its source.“Through a rich series of activities, the festival continues to honor the”Worship of Hung Kings,“a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, while evoking pride in our”Lac Hong" lineage.

A highlight of the program is the reenactment of the Hung Temple Festival – the sacred symbol associated with the ancestors' death anniversary on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month. Familiar rituals from the great festival are recreated in the heart of the city, creating a space that is both solemn and intimate.

Parallel to this is the legend of The Hung King teaching the people to plant rice, featuring the image of the King in the role of Shennong (God of Agriculture) descending to the fields. This simple yet meaningful image recalls the origins of the wet rice civilization and carries wishes for a year of favorable weather and bountiful harvests.

Throughout the festival space are the smooth and soulful melodies of Ancient Xoan Singing—the signature folk art of the Ancestral Land linked to the Hung Kings era. Amidst modern life, these sounds act as an invisible thread pulling people back to their most authentic values.

Muong Gong art is one of the cultural heritages introduced at the Street Folk Culture Festival.

A Multi-colored Cultural Tapestry

The attraction of the festival lies in the participation of 18 mass art troupes, featuring approximately 1,500 actors and artisans. Each troupe brings its own unique color, weaving together a diverse and vibrant cultural tapestry.

Many distinctive regional festivals were vividly recreated: the Tay Thien Festival, Dinh Khenh Festival, and the Khai Ha Festival of the Muong people. The festival space was further enriched by ethnic minority groups through unique ceremonies such as Xen Muong (Thai people), Gau Tao (Hmong people), and Cap Sac (Dao people). Each ritual represents a unique cultural slice, converging spiritual values, customs, and distinct identities.

Furthermore, folk performances such as the “cotton tree” procession, “da cau” (shuttlecock), “cuop phet” (lucky ball competition), Trong Quan singing, and Muong Gong art created a bustling and joyful atmosphere. These are not just entertainment but also carry meanings of praying for good harvests and community bonding.

Equally impressive was the Dancing Festival (Tet Nhay) of the Dao people with symbolic dances expressing gratitude to heaven, earth, and ancestors. Additionally, the Khai Xuan Khanh Ha (Mo Dance) featured masked parades like a folk “Carnival,” delighting the audience with its rhythmic and colorful ambiance.

In the pace of modern life, the Street Festival with the theme “Echoes of the Roots” serves as a sustainable bridge between the past and the present. It not only brings joy to residents and tourists but also promotes the image of a hospitable, traditional Phu Tho with great potential for tourism development.

As the sounds of the festival drums and songs gradually fade, what remains is not just the image of a brilliant festival but also a deep sense of pride, love for national roots, and the solidarity of every Vietnamese person, wherever they may be.

Phuong Thanh