centring around buckwheat flowers, the iconic flower of the northern
mountainous province of Ha Giang, and the unique cultural values of local
ethnic groups will begin on November 23.
Director of the provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Hong Hai said this year’s festival themed
colourful flowers on the stone plateau will include a variety of activities, such
as a photo exhibition on the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, a
re-enactment of the old market in Dong Van town, demonstrations on the
production of the local honey specialty, and a flower road in Dong Van ancient town,
among others.
More activities are planned in the neighbouring
Meo Vac district, notably a night market with folk music performances, a photo
contest and a mountain climbing competition on Ma Pi Leng pass.
Along with Dong Van and Meo Vac, other districts
in the province such as Quan Ba and Yen Minh will host cultural activities highlighting
traditional crafts, cuisine and experiment tourism.
Tran Duc Quy, Vice Chairman of the provincial
People Committee, said the festival, which has been held since 2015, has
greatly contributed to the socio-economic development of the province.
The festival this year will be the largest so
far as the province will review four years of the programme on tourism brand
building for Dong Van Karst Plateau, he noted.
Beautiful fields of buckwheat flowers, framed by
magnificent limestone mountains, have become a highlight attraction for
tourists in Ha Giang province in recent years. The province hopes to draw more
tourists by showcasing its natural attractions.
Thousands of tourists are expected to attend the
one-month event, which will run until the end of this year.
Buckwheat is cultivated for its grain-like
seeds, which are used to make specialty food by ethnic minorities in the
mountainous region.
The crop is often planted around September. From
late October to early November, large fields of buckwheat flowers are in full
bloom, making a spectacular sight. The hills and mountains are covered by the
white and pink of the flowers.
The flowers symbolise love and happiness, so
many couples shoot their wedding photos in these fields.-VNA
