Interesting festivals in Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark

In Cao Bang Province, more than 100 traditional festivals are preserved and organized on different scales. The festivals generally take place in spring and represent rich cultures of the local ethnic groups. Some well-known festivals are Sung Phuc Pagoda Festival  (Quang Hoa District), Nang Hai Festival (Quang Hoa District), Firecracker Festival (Quang Hoa District), King Le Temple Festival (Hoa An District), etc. Coming to Cao Bang on New Year days, tourists will have a chance to participate in traditional festivals, get immersed in Then and Luon songs and enjoy signature dishes of a frontier mountain region.
Tung Con (the game of throwing a cloth ball through a ring on a high pole) is a traditional game of the Tay and Nung at Tet, celebrations or spring festivals such as Pagoda festivals, temple festivals and Long Tong festival (a ritual at the beginning of a Lunar new year dedicated to the god of agriculture to wish for a year of bumper crops).

Firecracker Festival, held on the 2^nd of the Lunar February in Quang Uyen Town, Quang Hoa District and Dong Khe Town, Thach An District, is among the province's largest and most crowded festivals. According to legend, the Head of Firecracker of Quang Uyen Town is blessed by the God of Bach Linh Shrine; hence, it is the most miraculous (Bach Linh is a Shrine worshipping 100 prophetic things of animals), paying tribute to Nung Tri Cao, who had merits in the fight against the Song invaders in the 11th century.  Firecracker Festival is also a chance for knightliness, strength training, attracting the attendance of healthy young men with the hope of winning the blessing ring when taking part in the fight for the Head of the Firecracker. Therefore, it is believed that who win the blessing ring will be lucky, great and prosperous the whole year.

Nang Hai Festival is a festival to pray for abundant crops held in Tien Thanh Commune (Quang Hoa) and Kim Dong Commune (Thach An). The main ritual is inviting the soul of Lady Moon to enter a girl’s body, then a group will sing along. Many songs were composed long time ago, and sung over many nights. The songs pray to Moon Mothers in the heaven (in some places, there are 6 Moon Mothers, while other places have 12) for favorable weather conditions, security all year round, exterminating pests for abundant crops and good health for all villagers.

Thanh Minh Festival is held on Thanh Minh day in Phuc Sen Commune (Quang Hoa District). The Festival is organized by the Nung An people, to pray for favorable weather conditions and happiness for lovers.
Hang Toan Festival (also called Fair) takes place in most Districts in the province. The Festival, which has many recreation activities, is the place for both exchanging goods and young men and women to meet, get to know each other, date and have a courtship.

However, in the context of integration and development, traditional culture of ethnic groups in the Geopark is facing the risk of falling into oblivion. In the coming time, the localities in Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark will continue enhancing the communication and awareness raising for managers, investors and communities about preservation and promotion of cultural values under the orientation of exploitation associated with preservation. Departments and localities in Cao Bang Province will continue deploying effectively Project 06 on preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in association with tourism development which belongs to the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority inhabited and mountainous areas.