The culture, sports, and tourism festival for ethnic minority communities in the Vietnam-Laos border area, central region, and Central Highlands regions will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from May 17-19 under the theme “Solidarity, friendship, and development”. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the event is expected to draw nearly 1,000 artisans and artists from ethnic groups of Vietnam’s Kon Tum, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue as well as four art troupes from Attapu, Sekong, Savannakhet, and Salavan provinces of Laos. The opening ceremony will take place at the central square of A Luoi district, Thua Thien-Hue, on May 17 evening. A number of activities will be held during the event such as exhibitions promoting local cultural and tourism products, public art performances, ethnic costume shows, and brocade weaving. Visitors could take part in folk games such as tug of war, crossbow shooting, men’s volleyball, and other traditional activities. The organising board will host farm trips for domestic travellers to explore eco-tourism and community-based tourism in A Luoi district and Tay Giang district (Quang Nam). The traditional festivals, cultural rituals, and culinary art of A Luoi district will be introduced to visitors, as well as photography exhibitions on ethnic minority people in the Vietnam-Laos border areas, central region, and Central Highlands. Jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the People's Committee of Thua Thien-Hue, the festival is expected to promote solidarity, mutual understanding, friendship, and cultural exchanges between these regions. (VOV May 15)
