Unique Traditional Stream Fishing Festival Attracts Massive Crowds

On May 14, Toan Thang Commune officially opened the 2026 Traditional Stream Fishing Festival.

Impressive art performances during the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Dinh Cong Su—Provincial Party Committee Member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Nhung—Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Cultures (Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism); representatives from various departments, and thousands of local residents and pilgrims. The festival spans three days, from May 14 to 16, 2026, under the theme: "Toan Thang Headwaters – Tourism Convergence, Community Connection."

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Dinh Cong Su beats the festive drum to open the festival.

The Traditional Stream Fishing Festival is a distinctive folk cultural activity associated with the wet-rice farming lifestyle of the Muong people in the former Lo Son area, now part of Chieng Doi, Doi Be, and Tan Lap hamlets in Toan Thang Commune. According to folk belief, after finishing the rice planting, the community organizes a collective fishing event in designated stream sections to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and a prosperous, happy life.

From early morning, the festival grounds in Tan Lap hamlet and the stream sections of Khoang Lo and Khoang Tlo resonated with the sounds of gongs and drums. The area was vibrant with the colorful traditional costumes of the Muong ethnic group.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Nhung, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Cultures, presents gifts to Toan Thang Commune.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Nguyen Vu Hung—Chairman of the Toan Thang Commune People’s Committee—emphasized that the festival is not only a spiritual activity but also a way to educate younger generations on preserving national identity, fostering community solidarity, and protecting natural resources.

According to Muong legend, Mr. Hun, Chuang Hin, and Ms. Uoi Luc were the figures credited with building dams, digging irrigation canals, and teaching production techniques to the locals. To honor them, a shrine was established at Khoang Lo. The largest fish caught during the festival are selected as offerings to the Village Guardian God (Thanh Hoang) in a sacred ritual expressing gratitude to ancestors.

A representative of Toan Thang Commune’s leadership performs the ritual of throwing the first cast net.

The festival’s highlight is the collective fishing activity. Hundreds of people, equipped with traditional tools like bamboo lift nets, fishing nets, plunge baskets, and cast nets, dove into the streams amidst the cheers of onlookers. The atmosphere was further energized by activities such as raft paddling, crossbow shooting, tug-of-war, swimming, volleyball, and a cross-country race.

A major attraction was the 200-Muong-gong ensemble, which echoed through the mountains, recreating the unique cultural space of the Muong people. Other highlights included “hat doi” (alternate singing), traditional basket weaving competitions, and ethnic culinary contests.

The exhibition area, featuring agricultural and handicraft products from 22 hamlets, drew large crowds. Specialty items like forest bamboo shoots, organic vegetables, “ruou can” (straw wine), and stream fish were widely promoted.

The first catch of fish is offered to the Village Guardian God in a sacred ritual.

Toan Thang Commune is currently finalizing documentation to nominate the Traditional Stream Fishing Festival for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In recent years, digital promotion has helped the festival attract thousands of visitors.

The vibrant scene of local people fishing together after the opening ceremony.

A new feature of the 2026 festival is the integration of cultural activities with environmental protection. The local government organized a fish-releasing event at Khoang Lo to replenish aquatic resources, raising community awareness about ecological preservation.

Hong Duyen