Representatives of ethnic minority peoples in nine northern and Central Highlands provinces will showcase their traditional activities, including horse racing, at the fest “Spring hues from all over the country”, to run in Hanoi from Feb 15 to 17.

The fest, to take place at the Vietnam Peoples Culture Tourism Village at Dong Mo, Son Tay, will gather patriarchs, village heads, senior artisans and exemplary youths from nine provinces including Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Quang Nam, Binh Thuan, Kon Tum and Lam Dong.

One of the fest’s highlights is the re-creation of the springtime horse racing practiced by Mong ethnic minority in Lai Chau province. The time-honored practice is indicative of the Mong men’s intrepidity and sportsmanship.

Other springtime traditional customs and games such as fire hopping and Central Highlands gong performances will also be re-created during the fest.

The event is annually put on by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preserve and promote the Vietnamese ethnic communities’ cultural identity.

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic communities, with Kinh people making up the majority of the total population.