First held in 2014, the festival is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and values of local tribes as well as promoting the northern province on local and international level. During the festival, cultural traditions and rites of 19 ethnic minorities of the northern and northwestern parts of Vietnam including Thai and Mong people are put into focus.
The program of the festival will feature a series of art performances and exhibitions, as well as a lot of sportive activities and folk games. A festive street parade will take place immediately after the opening ceremony. Candidates from eight northern and northwestern provinces, including Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Phu Tho and Ha Giang will participate in a beauty contest for the title of Miss Hoa Ban.
Dien Bien is easily reached from Hanoi by air or bus. Vietnam Airlines serves Dien Bien from Hanoi twice a day, a flight takes 1 hour. Buses from Hanoi need 10-11 hours to reach Dien Bien and cost VND250-300,000. Other destinations connected with Dien Bien by bus include Lai Chau (6-7 hrs, VND140,000), Muong Lay (3-4 hrs, VND60,000), Son La (4-5 hrs, VND80,000), Lao Cai (6 hrs, VND150,000) and Muang Khua in Laos (7-8 hrs, VND130,000).
Hoa Ban Festival to Hit Dien Bien on March 6–18
News in Asia
The annual Hoa Ban festival will take place in the Northwestern province of Vietnam, Dien Bien between March, 6 and 18. The festival celebrates blooming of bauchinia tree, also known as hoa ban, or orchid tree, famous for its delicate white and pink flowers.