Worshipping Forest Festival of the Nung – Lao Cai

The Worshipping Forest Festival of the Nung is a traditional festival that honors the forest and the ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the village. The festival is held twice a year, on the 30th day of the first lunar month and the second day of the seventh lunar month, in Muong Khuong District, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

The festival involves worshipping two ancient trees, known as the Father and Mother trees, which represent the spirit and protection of the forest. The festival also pays tribute to the people who fought and died for the land and the freedom of the Nung people. The festival includes various games and activities, such as leng hao singing, lan co singing, swinging, and wood chess playing.

The festival reminds the people of the importance of preserving and planting trees, as well as respecting their cultural heritage. After the ceremony, everyone signs a pledge to protect the forest and plant more trees in their gardens and hills. They also enjoy the aromatic yeast, a traditional drink made from fermented rice, and other folk games with strong ethnic identity, such as blindfold catching goats, throwing, carousel, etc.