Ethnology museum celebrates Tet with diverse programme

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will hold its annual Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations on February 6-8, with music, food and games – and the participation of 90 representatives from six ethnic groups from around the country.
The Raglai from the central province of Ninh Thuan and the Dao Lo Gang and Na Mieo from the northern province of Lang Son will be participating in the holiday programme for the first time.
Traditional performances will include gong ceremonies of the Raglai, prayers for peace and good crops by the Na Mieo, Tay and Dao Lo Gang, the lion dance of the Nung, and the bamboo pole dance of the Thai, as well as calligraphy, water puppetry of the Kinh majority.
Kids will be able to join in a variety of folk games, including swinging, wrestling, walking on stilts, chess playing and stick pushing. They are also able to make their own folk toys under the instruction of ethnic people, including making figurines and pinwheels.
This year, visitors will be able to enjoy traditional food from the Tay ethnic group, such as roast pig with mac mat (a type of wild leaf), steamed glutinous rice, dried buffalo meat and traditional cakes.
About 150 student volunteers will join museum staff in helping visitors enjoy the events.
The events would help preserve and popularise the precious cultural traditions of Vietnam, said museum director Vo Quang Trong.
Visitors would gain a better understanding of the cultures of the different ethnic groups, as well as join in the spirit of the festivities, Trong said.